Stream Jensen Ackles’ new show ‘Countdown’ starting this week
Stream Jensen Ackles’ new show ‘Countdown’ starting this week
A team of outcast agents must work together to stop a threat no one saw coming.
I love a great crime thriller — especially the kind with a ticking clock and a cast full of outcast agents forced to work together. So yeah, “Countdown” is 100% on my radar. It’s got Jensen Ackles leading a secret task force, a murdered Department of Homeland Security officer, and a massive (Chernobyl-level) attack looming over L.A. — what more do you need? From the trailer alone, this looks like it’s got all the prerequisites: car chases, combat scenes, and classy parties that inevitably end in a lot of broken glass (with some light banter to boot). “Countdown” premieres Wednesday, June 25, with three episodes on Prime Video, followed by weekly drops through September. Here’s everything you need to know about “Countdown.”
How to watch ‘Countdown’
- When: Wednesday, June 25 at 3:01 a.m. ET
- TV: Prime Video
- Stream: Watch with a 30-day free trial to Prime Video.
- From anywhere: Watch with a subscription to a VPN.
Everything you need to know about ‘Countdown’:
When will episodes of ‘Countdown’ come on Prime Video?
“Countdown” premieres Wednesday, June 25 on Prime Video, kicking things off with a three-episode drop. After that, new episodes will be released every Wednesday, leading up to the season finale on Wednesday, Sept. 3.
| Date | Time (ET) | Episode |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, June 25 | 3:01 a.m. | No. 1 |
| Wednesday, June 25 | 3:01 a.m. | No. 2 |
| Wednesday, June 25 | 3:01 a.m. | No. 3 |
| Wednesday, July 2 | 3:01 a.m. | No. 4 |
| Wednesday, July 9 | 3:01 a.m. | No. 5 |
| Wednesday, July 16 | 3:01 a.m. | No. 6 |
| Wednesday, July 23 | 3:01 a.m. | No. 7 |
| Wednesday, July 30 | 3:01 a.m. | No. 8 |
| Wednesday, Aug. 6 | 3:01 a.m. | No. 9 |
| Wednesday, Aug. 13 | 3:01 a.m. | No. 10 |
| Wednesday, Aug. 20 | 3:01 a.m. | No. 11 |
| Wednesday, Aug. 27 | 3:01 a.m. | No. 12 |
| Wednesday, Sept. 3 | 3:01 a.m. | No.13 |
Can you watch ‘Countdown’ for free?
You can definitely watch about half of the first season for free, thanks to Prime Video’s 30-day free trial for new customers. If you are setting up a new Prime Video (or Amazon Prime) account, you will be able to take advantage of all that your subscription has to offer without having to pay for a full month. That means that you could watch through Episode 7 before having to pay a penny.
Prime Video
Prime Video is a subscription video streaming service that includes on-demand access to 10,000+ movies, TV shows, and Prime Originals like “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power,” “Jack Ryan,” “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” “The Boys,” and more. Subscribers can also add third-party services like Max, Showtime, STARZ, and dozens more with Prime Video Channels. Prime Video also offers exclusive live access to NFL Thursday Night Football.
What is ‘Countdown’ about?
“Countdown” kicks off with a bang — literally. A Homeland Security officer is murdered in broad daylight, and the case is way too messy to go through normal channels. That’s where LAPD detective Mark Meachum (played by Jensen Ackles) comes in. He’s pulled into a secret task force made up of outcast agents from different branches of law enforcement: FBI, DEA, LAPD, you name it. Their mission? Track down the killer. But of course, nothing’s that simple. The deeper they dig, the more they uncover a massive conspiracy involving a potential terrorist attack that could level Los Angeles.
This isn’t just another procedural, though. The show leans into its action roots — think big set pieces, shootouts, and undercover ops — but there’s also real heart in the way the characters connect. These agents might not fit in with their own departments, but they see something in each other: people willing to risk everything for the greater good. And as the stakes rise, so does the tension, with a ticking-clock plot that builds toward something huge. Basically, if you like your thrillers fast, emotional, and a little unpredictable, like a punch to the gut when you’re not looking, “Countdown” is built for you.
Who stars in the ‘Countdown’ TV series?
At the center of “Countdown” is Jensen Ackles as LAPD detective Mark Meachum, a tough, sharp-witted cop who gets pulled into a secret task force after a Homeland Security officer is killed in broad daylight. Ackles brings his usual mix of grit and charm, but this time with a badge and a whole lot of pressure. Eric Dane plays Nathan Blythe, the Special Agent in Charge who assembles the team — he’s the kind of guy who’s been around the block and doesn’t mess around. Jessica Camacho steps in as DEA Special Agent Amber Oliveras, who’s got deep undercover experience and a no-nonsense edge.
The rest of the team is stacked with a few fresh and familiar faces. Violett Beane plays Evan Shepherd, the tech-savvy new recruit straight out of the FBI Academy. Uli Latukefu is Luke Finau, a veteran officer from LAPD’s Gangs and Narcotics division, and Elliot Knight rounds things out as Keyonte Bell, a third-generation FBI agent with a background in counterterrorism. It’s a crew of outliers from across law enforcement — each with their own skills and secrets.
Who are the creators behind ‘Countdown’?
“Countdown” comes from Derek Haas, the creator and showrunner behind some of TV’s biggest crime dramas. “Chicago Fire” — which Haas co-created — launched the “One Chicago” universe, while Haas also co-created “FBI: International.” With “Countdown,” he’s leaning into his love of big, character-driven action thrillers in the vein of “Die Hard” and “Lethal Weapon.”
Will there be a Season 2 of ‘Countdown’?
Right now, “Countdown” is set up as a 13-episode limited series, and Prime Video hasn’t officially announced anything about a second season. But given the way creator Derek Haas talks about the twists and turns packed into the back half of the season, it’s clear the story could open the door for more. If the show connects with viewers, there’s definitely potential to keep this team going. For now, though, it’s a wait-and-see situation for a Season 2.
Countdown
When an officer with the Department of Homeland Security is murdered in broad daylight, LAPD detective Mark Meachum is recruited to a secret task force, alongside undercover agents from all branches of law enforcement, to investigate. But the hunt for the killer soon uncovers a plot far more sinister than anyone could have imagined, kicking off a race against time to save a city of millions.