Fire Country casts House of Usher star as Gabriela's mother

Fire Country has come out swinging in season 2. There are a number of new faces that have expanded the world of the show, and tested the main characters in ways that have been fun and unexpected. Fortunately, the show isn't done adding new faces.

The firefighting drama has added Paola Nunez to the cast, according to TV Line. Nunez will play Roberta, the mother of main character Gabriela Perez (Stephanie Arcila), who is described as being:

"Dazzling, bright, bold and beautiful. Effusive, persistent, strong-willed and not one to keep quiet — but also with a certain elegant charm — she is eager to reconnect with the daughter she barely knows."

There's a lot going on, it sounds like, and we're excited to see how the two women navigate their seemingly tense relationship. Roberta will make her Fire Country debut during the May 3 episode, which has led many fans to question the timing of her involvement.

Gabriela is estranged from her mother

Well, those who have been watching season 2 know that Gabriela and Diego (Rafael de la Fuente) have been increasingly serious with their romantic fling, which has led to widespread speculation that they will get married by season's end.

It makes sense that something as significant as a wedding would be what draws Roberta and Gabriela together, especially the bombshell reveal that Gabriela and Diego have gotten engaged.

Still, a wedding between Gabriela and Diego would have huge consequences for the show, especially since we're still getting to know the latter as viewers. May 3 will be towards the end of Fire Country's shortened, 10-episode season, so it does look like all the pieces line up...

Her casting has fueled wedding rumors

Paola Nunez will be a new face to Fire Country fans, but the actress has been turning in acclaimed TV performances for years. She rose to fame on telenovela Amor en custodia in 2005, and continued her small screen reign with turns on Pasion Morena (2009) and Reina de Corazon (2014).

English-speaking audiences will know her better as a main cast member on shows like The Purge (2019) and Resident Evil (2022). She received critical acclaim for her performance as Dr. Alessandra Ruiz on the Netflix miniseries The Fall of the House of Usher in 2023.

Nunez is also part of the Bad Boys movie franchise. She debuted as Rita Secada in the box office smash Bad Boys for Life (2020), and is set to reprise her role in the upcoming Bad Boys Ride or Die (2024)