In a poignant coincidence, an episode of Shots Fired directed by Jonathan Demme is set to air tonight, on the day of his death. And the network is not going to let Demme’s passing go unacknowledged, with a special ”In Memoriam” card honoring the late writer-director set to appear at the end of the end of the episode. Called “The Fire This Time,“ the sixth episode of Shots Fired’s first season depicts a racially charged riot that breaks out in the fictional town of Gate Station, North Carolina.
Of Demme, series creators Gina Prince-Bythewood and Reggie Rock Bythewood say, “he was a tremendous artist who shared our belief that art can change the world. He was a gift, and he made every one around him better. He taught us to care a little bit more, believe a little bit more and listen a little bit more. We will miss him.”
According to Deadline, Demme also shot an episode of the upcoming Fox/Netflix series Seven Seconds in February that has yet to air, meaning this Shots Fired episode will actually be his penultimate TV work, not his last. Shots Fired debuted back in March, and explores the aftermath of the shooting of an white teenager by a black police officer. It airs Wednesdays on Fox at 8 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m CT.