Season 3, episode 1 of Fire Country ends on a cliffhanger,

with an explosion occurring at the crash site seconds before

the credits roll. Bode and Gabriela spend the premiere tending

to an injured pilot in the woods, while Jake attempts to save Genevieve and Rick back at Smokey’s Tavern. The out-of-control helicopter crashed into the roof, leaving them trapped, injured, and on borrowed time. Also on the scene is Eve, who’s surprised to learn that Gen may be Rick’s biological daughterFollowing their rescue, actor Jules Latimer explains that her character feels for Jake and the complicated situation he ends up in. However, Eve will do what she can to stay neutral and provide the best possible advice given the circumstances. Latimer continues on to share her excitement about Eve’s upcoming storyline and its inclusion of her real-life experience. She reveals that the new episodes will provide long-awaited answers about the firefighter’s past, including why Eve chose to become a first responder.

Jules Latimer: It’s actually kind of weird because, on a production side, I don’t see Max anymore. So whenever I do see him, I’m like, “Oh, wow. You’re not in my camp anymore.” We have a lot to catch up on when we have scenes together. They rearranged a lot of people. The first episode was a little weird. It was a bit of a reunion because I got to spend time with Sharon and Vince and Gabriela because we’re running and trying to save people, but it has everybody a bit scrambled.

When we first shot the episode and got back from hiatus, it was just like, “All systems go.” We’re just saving people, and I don’t think anybody has a chance to catch up to what’s going on. We’re all pulled into a lot of different directions. Eve is at the helicopter crash, then I go to Smokey’s, and then I’m with Jake, and then there’s Rick and Genevieve. Everybody’s trying to solve so many issues, and it was kind of chaotic.

Eve is with Jake for the events of 301, and they see a new side of Rick. Do you think he surprised them at all?

Jules Latimer: From the time that we grew up, Rick was just not a great guy. And then to see his relationship with Genevieve when they’re trapped—I think I really feel for Jake. He’s going through so much and that’s my best friend, and I’m just really there to support. So I don’t know. I had a myriad of emotions, and it is really just feeling for all the people around me and getting to know Rick. I’m sort of just fielding a lot of people’s emotions and being a sense of support for folks.

Jake isn’t enthusiastic about Rick potentially being Gen’s father. Now that Eve has been looped into everything, what would you say her thoughts are as Jake’s best friend?