'County Rescue' 'a calling from the Lord' for Actors Brett Varvel, Kristin Wollett

The concept for a television series highlighting the heroic work that emergency medical technicians (EMTs) do on a daily basis is nothing new. How can one forget fictional dramas 9-1-1, Rescue Me, or if we go way back, the classic 1970s series Emergency!. But for all of their success, how many of these shows were able to consistently weave elements of faith into each episode? 

Beyond the fact that this program was the first original series on Great American Pure Flix, County Rescue has quickly become known as a drama about the unique challenges paramedics face on both their personal and professional journeys. But most importantly, the daily challenges they encounter are viewed through the lens of faith.

With Season 2 now streaming on Great American Pure Flix, County Rescue features an ensemble cast highlighted by Julia Reilly (Stranger Things), Riley Hough (The Resident), Percy Bell (Devotion), Kristin Wollett (God's Not Dead: In God We Trust), and Brett Varvel (American Underdog). 

Tested on each and every emergency call they receive, the EMTs on County Rescue are courageous, everyday heroes who lean in on their faith to provide care to those who sometimes find themselves in perilous, life-altering situations.

I recently sat down with Varvel and Wollett to discuss the uniqueness of this series, why it is important for a program like this to exist, and how they have each developed a greater appreciation for the courageous work that these first responders do each and every day.

If you were trying to convince a friend or family member to take the time to watch County Rescue, what would you say to encourage them?

Kristen Wollett: I would say that County Rescue is a show that you can really relate to, and that if you feel a calling on your life that God has put there, but things aren't necessarily going the way that you want them to, that this show will provide a lot of hope and a lot of faith. It will provide a lot of direction for you and a lot of peace.

For every actor, there always seems to be a trigger, a tipping point, a moment, where you say to yourself, “I have to be part of this project!”. For you, what was that moment with County Rescue?

Brett Varvel: I remember getting the audition for Season 1, and I was in a tougher spot of life. There were a lot of things going on personally, and I saw the breakdown for Andy (his character), and it wasn't confidence in myself. But I just knew I was going to get the part. I think it was kind of a calling from the Lord. I had such a need to play this character at that time. And I remember when my agent called me and said that I'd gotten the part, I hugged my wife and we just started crying. It was such a beautiful moment because I relate so much to this guy, and I love this character. I love bringing him to life for audiences because he's very relatable. All the characters are, but I know so many guys that would be able to point to the screen and look at my character Andy and be like, ‘That's kind of how I am.’

I'm going to name drop here. I was talking to Bill Abbott recently, the CEO of Great American Family, and I asked him, what project are you most excited about in the next six months? And he immediately said, County Rescue. This leads me to ask, what is different in Season 2 from what we saw in Season 1?

Kristin Wollett: This season, we really get to know the other characters a lot more. We dive deeper into their storylines. I think it's going to be something where a lot of viewers are able to relate deeper to each of these characters, knowing more about their home life, and knowing about what they're struggling with. Each of the characters sort of gets their own trial and tribulation to tackle this season, and they all tackle it very differently. I think it'll be something the viewers are going to relate to really well.

Brett, you made a movie last year that you directed and acted in called Disciples in the Moonlight. How does directing prepare you for taking a part as an actor in an episodic series like this?

Brett Varvel: It's been a huge blessing to be honest with you, I'm so grateful that God has given me opportunities to play on both sides of the camera because the directing informs my acting and the acting informs my directing. And what's nice about being in an episodic show where I have a recurring role is I understand and can empathize with what the director is trying to say before they say it to me. Working with the crew and understanding the different aspects of what's expected of me as an actor makes their jobs easier. Directing has made me way more of an empathetic actor and being able to connect deeper with my scene partners. Kristen and I share a lot of vulnerable scenes together in Season 2. We already had built up a trust with each other because of Season 1, but knowing what's going on behind the camera has really helped me just understand more of what the collaborative spirit is that we're supposed to have on set. It informs me on when to be vulnerable and to kind of anticipate moments. It's been a blessing and a joy to be able to bounce back and forth in that capacity.

This is essentially a show about EMTs working to save lives and be a light in times of trouble. Why is it important for shows like County Rescue to exist in today’s world?

Brett Varvel: If you look at the slogan for Great American Family, it's a network that exists to uphold faith, family, and country. These are three pillars that I think are forgotten in our society. You need faith and family to have a strong country, those strong ideals that we as Americans uphold as a nation. And, and we're able to shine a light on those three very specific aspects of our society in a very positive, hope filled way. And not in a way where we're bashing each other or bringing one another down, but in a way where we're showing that we need each other. And you can't get more real than EMS workers who are putting themselves on the front lines, and serving other people. And then when they come back to the station or go back home, they’ve got to deal with the trauma that they just experienced. They have to then also navigate the ups and downs of their own personal life. And the thing that sustains us through the show are those three pillars, faith, family, and country. I think that's one of the reasons that County Rescue is such a great fit for Great American Family and why I'm so thankful and blessed to be a part of a show that's putting that out into the society as a beacon of light and a beacon of hope.

Through this show, have you developed a greater appreciation for the work of EMTs and what they do? If so, what is it that you admire so much?

Kristin Wollett: We were actually filming in a live station, which means there were actual calls going off as we're filming. And one of the things that I admire most about the people I saw was this calm presence and focus that they had when that siren went off. I think it allowed them to be so present, so prepared, and ready to serve others in such a way that had such an impact. When that sound went off it would make my heart go a little crazy because it was like someone's in need, someone's in trouble. And the way they stayed so focused and so present was beautiful. That kind of posture that they had was very awesome to see.

They're showing up on someone's worst day and they're the one providing hope for them. That's a huge weight to carry.

After people have had a chance to watch an episode or hopefully the entire season of County Rescue, what would you like to see audiences get out of that experience? What is your greatest hope for the show?

Brett Varvel: My greatest hope is that this would be a show that could bring some healing to people. That it would give them that shot of adrenaline in the arm to keep going, to make reconciliation with people that they maybe are estranged from. On a more basic level, go find your closest first responder, give them a hug and say, thank you. Just thank them for what they do. There's so many different storylines in Season 2 that I think can minister to people and give them a glimmer of hope in their current situation that they may be going through. And dealing with everything from loss to marriage to friendship to crushed hopes and dreams and all kinds of things in between.

County Rescue is streaming now on Great American Pure Flix. Learn more.

WATCH A TRAILER FOR COUNTY RESCUE: