Jensen Ackles is back in the action game — and this time, the stakes involve citywide catastrophe. Prime Video has dropped the official trailer for Countdown, a new thriller from Chicago Fire and FBI executive producer Derek Haas. It’s got explosions, chases, undercover agents, and Ackles being an all-round badass. Trailer above and info below.
Ackles stars as LAPD detective Mark Meachum, a no-nonsense cop pulled into a covert task force following the broad-daylight murder of a Department of Homeland Security officer. The group — which includes characters played by Jessica Camacho, Uli Latukefu, Elliot Knight, and Violett Beane — must uncover a mystery that quickly spirals into something far more dangerous: an unfolding plot with “Chernobyl-level” implications.
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Eric Dane, playing the ultra-serious team leader Nathan Blythe, delivers the stakes early on: “You are the best, or I would not have selected you… Our mission could prevent another 9/11.”
Naturally, things go boom. Ackles dodges shootouts, crashes through windows, leaps from vehicles, and even gets a bit flirtatious. Ackles says Countdown won’t be a huge leap for Supernatural fans. “There’s probably going to be some familiarity from that fandom with this guy,” he told Entertainment Weekly. “I mean, I played Dean for 15 years. I loved playing that kind of a character. And I think this guy is in the vein of that, just with a completely different set of circumstances.”
The concept for Countdown actually sparked years ago, while Haas was working on police procedural series Chicago P.D. “There was an actress who was leaving the show and whenever that happens you’re always like, ‘Okay, where could we send them?’” Haas told Entertainment Weekly, alluding to Sophia Bush’s character. “I went to our technical advisor, and I’m like, ‘Where could she go?’ And he was like, ‘Well, do you want her to come back?’ ‘Yeah. And I want it to be heroic.’ He’s like, ‘She’s got to join a task force.’”
Countdown premieres June 25 on Prime Video, launching with a three-episode drop before moving to weekly episodes every Wednesday. The season finale lands September 3.
