See first look at Christine Lahti as Sharon’s mom in ‘Fire Country’ (exclusive)

There’s a new face shaking things up in Edgewater: Sharon’s mother is coming to town.

Entertainment Weekly has the first look at Ruby Quinn’s arrival. Played by Christine Lahti, Ruby is described as a gregarious woman who can light up a room with her energy… but also has a need to make everything about her. Making her debut in the Nov. 21st episode of Fire Country, Ruby is looking to reconnect with Sharon (Diane Farr) and Bode (Max Thieriot), adding another emotional challenge for the Cal Fire Division Chief to tackle in season 4.

Sharon is still deep in her grieving process as she works through her husband Vince’s (Billy Burke) death. “Sharon’s going to have to navigate the world as a single person, and I don’t mean romantically,” showrunner Tia Napolitano previously told EW. “She’s going to have to learn how to stand on her own two feet.”

As Sharon struggles to find her footing without Vince, her mother’s return couldn’t come at a more complicated time. The mother and daughter will clash over shared history and Sharon’s feelings about how Ruby centers herself. Sharon is a person who attacks a problem head-on, as we saw when her sister, Mickey Fox (played by Sheriff Country star Morena Baccarin), came to town. That will be especially difficult given that Ruby tends to push aside anything that puts her in a negative light.

Fire Country is keeping Sharon busy this season. As Napolitano previously teased, “A stranger will come to town that will shake things up for Sharon and recontextualize both her past and her present.”

This season has been full of major changes. Along with Burke’s exit, original character Gabriela Perez (Stephanie Arcila) left town for a new gig. We also have the new Battalion Chief, Brett Richards (Shawn Hatosy), who has already shaken up Station 42’s dynamic in a purposeful attempt to get them through losing Vince.

Ruby’s introduction will also potentially allow viewers to see Bode in a new light. We’ve seen the strong bond he has with his paternal grandfather Walter Leone (Jeff Fahey), so fans will be excited to see what his relationship with Ruby is like. 

Until then, we wait for Ruby to kick off this family reunion. 

Fire Country airs Fridays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.