Fans of Jensen Ackles now have an official launch date for his upcoming crime thriller series, Countdown, which will be available on Prime Video. The series will premiere on Wednesday, June 25, with the first three episodes dropping globally.
Countdown follows Ackles in the role of LAPD detective Mark Meachum. In the series, Meachum is recruited into a secret task force comprising undercover agents from various U.S. law enforcement branches. The team is tasked with investigating the murder of a Department of Homeland Security officer who was killed in broad daylight, leaving no suspects or leads behind. As they delve deeper into the case, the agents uncover a complex conspiracy that could lead to devastating consequences, potentially claiming millions of lives. The gripping synopsis was provided by Men’s Health.
The series was officially announced in June 2024 and was developed specifically for Ackles, who previously collaborated with Amazon on The Boys as Soldier Boy. Speaking about the project, Ackles expressed his excitement to continue his partnership with Prime Video: “I had an incredible experience working with the Prime Video team on The Boys and am delighted to be able to continue that relationship on Countdown,” he shared. “I simply cannot wait to partner with Derek and the rest of our Countdown family to bring this story to life.”
Ackles’ First Leading Role Since Supernatural
Countdown marks Ackles’ first leading role in a television series since Supernatural wrapped up on The CW in 2020. Ackles starred as the iconic hunter Dean Winchester throughout all 15 seasons of the beloved fantasy horror series. While he has had other significant roles in TV shows such as Beau Arlen in Big Sky, Russell Shaw in Tracker, and Soldier Boy in The Boys, Countdown is his return to a major lead role.
Joining Ackles in the series are Jessica Camacho, known for her role in The Flash, as Drug Enforcement Agency Special Agent Amber Oliveras, and Eric Dane, famous for his role as the villain Nathan Blythe in Bad Boys: Ride or Die. The cast also includes Violett Beane, Uli Latukefu, and Elliot Knight, with the latter three actors playing important roles in the series as Evan Shepherd, Lucas Finau, and Keyonte Bell, respectively.
A Throwback to Classic Action Thrillers
Countdown was created by Derek Haas, who also serves as the showrunner. Haas, widely recognized for co-creating NBC’s One Chicago franchise, shared his vision for the series in an interview with Men’s Health. Drawing inspiration from action thrillers of the late ’80s and ’90s, such as Die Hard, Lethal Weapon, Rush Hour, and Beverly Hills Cop, Haas emphasized that fans can expect a series with dynamic, character-driven action. “I like it when the heroes have a bounce in their step and love their jobs, versus the depressed, I’m-haunted-by-what-I’ve-seen type of characters,” Haas explained.
With its action-packed premise and a talented cast, Countdown promises to be an exciting addition to Prime Video’s lineup when the first three episodes are released on June 25.
Source: Men’s Health