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Adding an old show or movie toNetflixcan be as exciting as getting that new release or original everyone has been talking about; Netflix’s trending charts are often dominated by old classics or films that are finding new appreciation now that they are on the streaming giant. This can sometimes be bittersweet, as with the recent addition of the teenage drama about horse racing,Wildfire, which was canceled in its fourth season much to the outcry of a dedicated fandom.
For those new to the show, we will highlight why you should check it out, and for existing fans, we will go over the series' legacy, including the infamous campaign to keep the series afloat. It is, undeniably, the perfect time to revisitWildfire.
Wildfire Plot and Cast
Wildfirefollows troubled teen Kris Furillo, who, after being released from a juvenile detention center, isgiven a second chanceworking at the Raintree Ranch when her innate talent with horses is recognized by Pablo, the head trainer. The show primarily focuses on Kris, her struggles, and her relationships with the Ritter family, specifically Jean, a compassionate single mother, and her sons Matt and Todd. The show draws its name from the horse that Kris bonds with,Wildfire, and her quest to rehabilitate him into a champion racehorse to help save the family’s struggling ranch from financial ruin.
Wildfire was created by Michael Piller and Christopher Teague. Piller, who sadly passed away in 2005, was best known for his work onStar Trek, having acted as writer and showrunner onTNG,Voyager, andDeep Space Nine. The series starred Genevieve Padalecki, an accomplished actor in her own right. She is best known as the wifeof actor Jared Padaleckiand has appeared across from him in bothSupernaturalandWalker. With an expansive cast over its four-season run, other actors who appeared in all 52 episodes include Nicole Tubiola, Nana Visitor, Greg Serano, Micah Alberti, and Ryan Sypek.
Still, the show was a highlight for Genevieve Padalecki (then Genevieve Cortese). The young actor embraced the rancher lifestyle to conquer her role and cement her as the perfect fit to play Kris. She had to learn how to ride and interact with the horses, a fact she said she loved in an interview with Horse Illustrated, where she talked about her bond with one of her favorite horses, Houdini.
“I really love riding Houdini. Our trainer would make me close my eyes, and I wouldn’t use the reins. He would use his hand motions to get [Houdini] to canter and to do crazy eights and for me. It just felt like a really wonderful bonding experience. I don’t know if Houdini felt it, but I did.“Genevieve Padalecki (via Horse Illustrated)
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Why Was Wildfire Canceled?
Considering that a four-season run is an impressive feat for any show in the competitive TV space,Wildfiregot canceled due to declining ratings. Still, the show had an interesting trajectory, with the first season having decent viewership but then seeing a 50% increase for its second season, averaging around 1.56 million viewers. The third season saw a drop back, putting it comparable to the first season at just over 1 million, only to be announced to be canceled shortly after season four’s premiere in 2008. However, ratings dropped significantly in season three, returning to the first season’s numbers of just over a million weekly viewers. When season four premiered in January 2008, ABC Familyannounced the show’s cancelation soon after.
The Best All-Time Movies about Horses, Ranked
In any case, movies about horses often draw upon the profound and earnest nature of their stories, creating enjoyable viewing experiences.
This news was met with much sadness from the dedicated fanbase, leading to one of the most humorous campaigns that saw thefans sending hay, horseshoes, apples, rope, and carrots to ABC Family’s media relations manager, Amy Maloney, in a bid to keep the show going.Wildfiredid garner a deserved audience, with many drawn to its heartwarming storyline about a troubled teen, Kris Furillo, and the relatable struggles and triumphs that the character faced.
The romance between heartthrob Junior Davis (Ryan Sypek) certainly did not hurt the appeal to the young teen audience as well. For others, how the show connected nature’s healing power with an authentic portrayal of horse rearing added intrigue. It was a show that captured a wide teen audience.
Sadly, the campaign and fan appeal were not enough to save the show, with the final episode of the series, the 13th episode of Season 4, titled “The Ties That Bind: Part 2,” airing on July 20, 2025. Though bittersweet for long-time fans,the episode offered Kris one last chance to race onWildfire,giving the finale an apt endingto the struggles and triumphs the character faced.
