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Countdown (American TV series)

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Countdown
GenreCrime drama
Created byDerek Haas
ShowrunnerDerek Haas
Written byDerek Haas
Starring
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes6
Production
Executive producerDerek Haas
Running time45–54 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkAmazon Prime Video
ReleaseJune 25, 2025 (2025-06-25) –
present

Countdown is an American crime drama television series created and written by Derek Haas, starring Jensen Ackles. It was released on Amazon Prime Video on June 25, 2025.

Premise

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After a Department of Homeland Security officer is killed in plain sight, LAPD detective Mark Meachum is brought onto a covert task force with undercover agents from various law enforcement agencies to track down the murderer. However, the search reveals a much darker conspiracy than anyone expected, sparking a frantic race to protect a city of millions.[1][2]

Cast

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Main

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  • Jensen Ackles as Detective Mark Meachum, from LAPD Robbery/Homicide Division. Meachum is known both for his skills as an undercover agent and also his reckless cowboy behavior. Meachum is a former US Army Ranger with multiple deployments to combat zones.
  • Jessica Camacho as Special Agent Amber Oliveras, a DEA agent with undercover experience
  • Violett Beane as Special Agent Evan Shepherd, an agent with the FBI that specializes in cyber crimes
  • Elliot Knight as FBI Special Agent Keyonte Bell, specializes in terrorist threats, homegrown and otherwise
  • Uli Latukefu as LAPD Detective Luke Finau, an 18-year veteran in LAPD's Gang and Narcotics division
  • Eric Dane as FBI Special Agent Nathan Blythe, Special Agent in Charge of the task force

Recurring

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Episodes

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No.Title [4]Directed byWritten by [5]Original release date [6]
1"Teeth in the Bone"Jonathan BrownDerek HaasJune 25, 2025 (2025-06-25)
2"Dead Lots of Times"Avi YouabianDerek HaasJune 25, 2025 (2025-06-25)
3"Happy Birthday Final"Tess MaloneDerek HaasJune 25, 2025 (2025-06-25)
4"Bite 'Em Down"Chris GrismerDerek HaasJuly 2, 2025 (2025-07-02)
5"Blurred Edges"Avi YouabianDerek HaasJuly 9, 2025 (2025-07-09)
6"A Needle or a Bullet"Jonathan BrownDerek HaasJuly 16, 2025 (2025-07-16)
7"Nothing Else Helps"TBADerek HaasJuly 23, 2025 (2025-07-23)
8"The Nail in the Chair"TBADerek HaasJuly 30, 2025 (2025-07-30)
9"10–33"TBADerek HaasAugust 6, 2025 (2025-08-06)
10"The Nuzzle Pile"TBADerek HaasAugust 13, 2025 (2025-08-13)
11"Run"TBADerek HaasAugust 20, 2025 (2025-08-20)
12"This Is His Signature"TBADerek HaasAugust 27, 2025 (2025-08-27)
13"Your People Are in Danger"TBADerek HaasSeptember 3, 2025 (2025-09-03)

Production

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The 13-part series from Amazon MGM Studios was created by Derek Haas, who is also an executive producer and the series showrunner. Jensen Ackles was confirmed as part of the cast in June 2024.[7][8] That month, Eric Dane and Jessica Camacho joined the cast.[9][10] Violett Beane, Uli Latukefu and Elliot Knight joined the cast in July 2024.[11]

Filming was set to start in Los Angeles in September 2024 and in December 2024, photos from the set appeared in the media.[12][13] In March 2025, members of the cast announced on social media that production had wrapped.[14]

Release

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Countdown premiered on June 25, 2025, with the first three episodes available immediately and the rest debuting on a weekly basis until September 3, 2025.[15]

Countdown is expected to air on syndication in 2026, 18 months after its original streaming run.[16]

Reception

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The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 38% approval rating based on 16 critic reviews.[17] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 43 out of 100 based on 8 critics, indicating "mixed or average".[4]

Reviewing the series' first 3 episodes for Screen Rant, Felipe Rangel gave a rating of 7/10 for the first 3 episodes and said, "It does great work in that regard, starting with a thrilling chase sequence and featuring quite a few creative set pieces."[18] Comic Book Resources of Joshua M. Patton gave the series a 9/10 rating and described it "a setup audiences know very well, but how Countdown unfolds over its first season expertly balances viewer expectations and fresh, surprising storytelling".[19] Jeff Ewing of Collider gave the series a rating of 8/10 and commented, "Countdown isn't quite original enough in its premise to completely feel like a breath of fresh air. Still, it capably makes use of compelling characters, strong performers, and an evolving situation with dangerous implications".[20]

Aramide Tinubu of Variety gave a critical review, writing "Unfortunately, though the show has all of the fundamentals needed for an engaging action series, Countdown grows duller by the episode."[21] Dave Nemetz of TVLine gave the series a C+ and noted, "It doesn't always hit on all cylinders, but it delivers the fireworks we're looking for from a show like this. It's like a battering ram slamming through a screen door: not very subtle, but undeniably effective.[22]

References

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  1. ^ Aminosharei, Nojan (April 29, 2025). "Jensen Ackles Leaves His Soldier Boy Costume Behind (For Now) in New Series 'Countdown'". Men's Health. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
  2. ^ Rowan, Iona (June 9, 2024). "Supernatural's Jensen Ackles lines up new Prime Video series". Digital Spy. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  3. ^ D'Agosta, Cassandra (May 30, 2025). "Everything We Know About Jensen Ackles' Countdown". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
  4. ^ a b "Countdown: Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  5. ^ "Countdown (2025) - WGA Directory". Writers Guild of America West. Retrieved May 25, 2025.
  6. ^ "Shows A-Z – Countdown on Amazon". The Futon Critic. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
  7. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (June 6, 2024). "Jensen Ackles To Headline 'Countdown' Drama Series Ordered By Amazon From Derek Haas". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  8. ^ Otterson, Joe (June 6, 2024). "Jensen Ackles to Star in Amazon Thriller Series 'Countdown' From Derek Haas". Variety. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  9. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (June 10, 2024). "Eric Dane Joins 'Countdown' Amazon Series As 'Euphoria' Remains On Hold". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  10. ^ Otterson, Joe (June 7, 2024). "Jensen Ackles Amazon Series 'Countdown' Casts Jessica Camacho". Variety. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  11. ^ Porter, Rick (July 12, 2024). "Amazon's 'Countdown' Adds Trio of Regulars (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  12. ^ Gearan, Hanmah (August 8, 2024). "Jensen Ackles' New Prime Video Crime Series Countdown Gets Major Filming Update". Screen Rant. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  13. ^ Hibbs, James (December 2, 2024). "Countdown on Prime Video starring Jensen Ackles: Release date speculation". Radio Times. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
  14. ^ Echebiri, Makuochi (March 18, 2025). "'Countdown' to Jensen Ackles' New Prime Video Series With New BTS Images as Filming Wraps". Collider. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
  15. ^ Mitovich, Matt Webb (April 29, 2025). "Jensen Ackles' Countdown Action Drama Sets Amazon Release Date — View First Photos". TVLine. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
  16. ^ de la Fuente, Anna Marie (May 22, 2025). "'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power' and 'Citadel' Hit Syndication for the First Time (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  17. ^ "Countdown: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  18. ^ Rangel, Felipe (June 25, 2025). "Countdown Season 1, Episodes 1-3 Review: I'm Glad Prime Video Released This Thrilling Action Series While Waiting For Reacher's Return". Screen Rant. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
  19. ^ Patton, Joshua M. (June 23, 2025). "Supernatural Fans Are Going to Love Jensen Ackles' New Thriller Series For 1 Surprising Reason". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
  20. ^ Ewing, Jeff (June 23, 2025). "'Countdown' Review: Jensen Ackles Assembles a Wildly Entertaining Task Force in Prime Video's High-Stakes, Action-Packed Crime Thriller". Collider. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
  21. ^ Tinubu, Aramide (June 25, 2025). "Jensen Ackles and Eric Dane's Crime Thriller 'Countdown' Is Tedious and Repetitive: TV Review". Variety. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
  22. ^ Nemetz, Dave (June 23, 2025). "Dave Nemetz Reviews Countdown: Amazon's High-Octane Action Thriller Is Peak Dad TV, for Better or Worse". TVLine. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
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