NOW ENTERTAINMENT June 22 Month 00 --28, 00,2025 2023
Your Weekly TV Entertainment Brought To You By Olean Times Herald & The Bradford Era
Jensen Ackles (“Supernatural”) stars as rogue L.A. detective Mark Meachum in “Countdown,” premiering Wednesday, June 25, on Prime Video. Jessica Camacho and Jensen Ackles in “Countdown”
Cover Story Under Pressure: L.A. task force prevents further terror in ‘Countdown’ By Dana Simpson The countdown is on for the next action-packed, adrenaline-pumping thrill ride on Prime Video. Premiering Wednesday, June 25, on the streamer, “Countdown” stars “Supernatural’s” Jensen Ackles and “All Rise’s” Jessica Camacho as high-operating police officers assigned a deadly task that could save millions of innocent lives. Helmed by Derek Haas, the creator behind hit shows such as “Chicago P.D” and “FBI: International,” as well as the action films “Wanted” (2008) and “The Double” (2011), the flagship season of “Countdown” is a 13-episode thrill ride that brings viewers into the heart of the danger while smoothing the tension with a healthy dose of comedy — something fans of the 15-season CW series “Supernatural” are well acquainted with. Likewise, those who have dabbled in Haas’s other work will already know that he is no stranger to comedy-punctuated
action himself, as he often leans toward gritty heroes who love their jobs — danger and all. “I grew up loving action movies like ‘Die Hard,’ ‘Lethal Weapon,’ ‘Rush Hour’ and ‘Beverly Hills Cop,’” Haas told Men’s Health magazine during a firstlook exclusive interview, adding, “so those wild character-based, set piece-based action thrillers are always in the back of my mind. I like it when the heroes have a bounce in their step and love their jobs, versus the depressed, I’m-haunted-by-whatI’ve-seen type of characters.” And Ackles’ character, Mark Meachum, certainly falls into that character category. Described by Ackles himself as a “rogue L.A. detective, wrong-side-of-the-tracks kind of guy [who] takes risks that most people wouldn’t take,” the trailer shows that Meachum is recruited alongside other edgy and top-performing law enforcement officers to end an imminent terrorist plot that could wipe out a large portion of the city of Los Ange-
les. Referred to in the trailer as a “Chernobyl-level event” and “another 9-11,” the endgame plan sees many false starts throughout its 13 episodes. The question remains, however: will the team of superstar agents be enough to stop a well-designed attack on one of the U.S.’s largest cities? Joining Meachum in a string of metropolitan heroics are Amber Oliveras, a female agent toughened by years of having to prove herself on the force, played by “All Rise” and “Taken” star Jessica Camacho; Keyonte Bell, played by “The Boys’” and “Animal Kingdom’s” Elliot Knight; Evan Shepherd, portrayed by Violett Beane of “The Flash” and Christopher Landon’s 2025 horror thriller “Drop”; Lucas Finau, played by “Young Rock’s” Uli Latukefu; and Nathan Blythe, the leading officer who recruited the other agents based on their track record, portrayed by “Grey’s Anatomy’s” socalled “McSteamy,” Eric Dane.
According to Men’s Health magazine, whose online writing team got first access to details about the series, “Countdown” tells the story of the six “undercover agents from across various branches of United States law enforcement” who have “been assembled to investigate the mysterious case of an officer with the Department of Homeland Security who was murdered in broad daylight without any suspects or leads. As they hunt for the killer, they begin to unravel a larger plot that could end with not only one dead victim — but millions of them.” Written and showrun by Haas, series direction for “Countdown” is provided by Jonathan Brown (“FBI: International”), Lisa Robinson (“New Amsterdam”), Avi Youabian (“All American”), Rashidi Natara Harper (“Hip Hop Uncovered”), Nina Lopez-Corrado (“Perry Mason”), Tess Malone (“Law & Order: Organized Crime”) and Eric Stoltz (“Madam Secretary”).