Mosey on Over and Catch Up With the Cast of the '00s Teen Drama Series 'Wildfire'
There are a few special ingredients that are necessary to create the perfect '00s drama. First, there's the evocative setting. Then, there's the juicy storyline that will drastically impact each character — even if some of the details seem crazy. Finally, the notorious addition of a love triangle is a must-have. With the cast of Wildfire, every one of those boxes got checked off — and then some!
The 2005 series, which aired on ABC Family, now known as Freeform, starred Genevieve Padalecki as Kris Furillo — the fresh-out-of-prison teenager looking to make a new start for herself. Lucky for her, she is given a job on a beautiful horse ranch, owned by the Ritter family, where she meets Matt Ritter and his best friend, Junior Davis.
The two friends vie for Kris' heart while she looks toward her future of becoming a jockey with her best friend, a horse named Wildfire. Kris tries to deal with the realities of her new life while also juggling the love triangle she has found herself in the middle of.
With the canceled series now available to watch on Netflix, Wildfire has found an entirely new audience. Read on to catch up with the cast of Wildfire and see where the stars have been since the drama ended in 2008.
Genevieve Padalecki: Cast of Wildfire
CHARACTER PLAYED: Kris Furillo, a troubled teen who becomes a jockey.
BORN: January 8, 1981 in San Francisco, California
BEST KNOWN FOR: TV series including Supernatural (2008-2020), Flashforward (2009-10) and Walker (2021-2024)
PERSONAL: Genevieve Padalecki has been married to Jared Padaelcki, her Supernatural costar, since 2010. They have two sons and a daughter.
THOUGHTS ON WILDFIRE: Padalecki felt destined to star in the show, saying, “I read the script probably in 2004 and was immediately attached to it because my character, Kris Furillo, rides up Mount Diablo, and it’s about the Bay Area. I grew up riding up Mount Diablo… I started immediately getting back on horses and training before I even knew I had a chance.”
Ryan Sypek
CHARACTER PLAYED: Junior Davis, Kris' on-again, off-again love interest.
BORN: August 6, 1982, in Boston, Massachusetts
BEST KNOWN FOR: Guest appearances in TV series including How I Met Your Mother (2009), Greek (2009) and Hawaii Five-0 (2019). Also known for the films Christmas Cupid (2010) and Private Valentine: Blonde & Dangerous (2008)
PERSONAL: Ryan Sypek has been married to artist Kate Sypek since 2017. They have a daughter. Sypek currently works as a real estate agent, and last acted in 2019.
THOUGHTS ON WILDFIRE: Sypek spoke highly of the drama on the show, saying "When you compete with your friends it brings tension and when you compete over a girl, that’s just the highest tension you can really get.”
Micah Alberti: Cast of Wildfire
CHARACTER PLAYED: Matt Ritter, the son of the ranch owners.
BORN: August 19, 1984, in Oregon, Wisconsin
BEST KNOWN FOR: TV series such as All My Children (2003) and Smallville (2004). Also known for films including Beer for My Horses (2008), Forget Me Not (2009) and Doc West (2009)
PERSONAL: Micah Alberti hasn't acted since 2016.
Nicole Tubiola
CHARACTER PLAYED: Danielle Davis, Junior's younger half-sister.
BORN: August 7, 1979, in Bullhead City, Arizona
BEST KNOWN FOR: Films such as Fired Up! (2009), My Fake Fiancé (2009) and Echo Park (2014). Also had appearances on The Amanda Show (2000-01) and Boston Public (2003).
PERSONAL: Nicole Tubiola is married to actor Kieren Hutchison, who was on 11 episodes of Wildfire. They have a son.
THOUGHTS ON WILDFIRE: “I originally auditioned for the role of Kris Furillo, which is the lead girl, the troubled girl. I had gotten really far in that,” Tubiola shared. “I had tested and it came down between me and Genevieve for the role. They ended up going with Genevieve, and then calling me that night and saying they wanted me for Danielle… this script, for whatever reason, as soon as I was reading it I felt a real connection.”
Nana Visitor: Cast of Wildfire
CHARACTER PLAYED: Jean Ritter, the matriarch and co-owner of the ranch.
BORN: July 26, 1957, in New York City
BEST KNOWN FOR: Series such as Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993-99), Ryan’s Hope (1978-79) and The Doctors (1980)
PERSONAL: Nana Visitor been married three times and has two children. Her aunt was the iconic Hollywood actress and dancer Cyd Charisse.
THOUGHTS ON WILDFIRE: Visitor felt that her role on Wildfire was a dream come true, saying, “I always got the question, ‘If you had a story line, what would you wish for?’ I always said, ‘Mentoring a young woman.’ That's exactly what this role is about."
Greg Serano
CHARACTER PLAYED: Pablo Betart, an ex-convict who works as the head trainer at the ranch.
BORN: August 7, 1972, Brooklyn, New York
BEST KNOWN FOR: Films such as The Postman (1997), Legally Blonde (2001), Felon (2008) and Terminator Salvation (2009)
PERSONAL: Greg Serano was married to actress Carmen Serrano from 1997 to 2013. They have three children.
THOUGHTS ON WILDFIRE: Serrano spoke fondly of the show, saying, “Wildfire is just like a horse race, for me. From the beginning when the gates open, you get that rush, through the race of the back and forth and ups and downs straight to the excitement of a photo finish.”