Countdown, a thriller drama series created by Derek Haas (Chicago: Fire, Chicago: PD) has been greenlit by Netflix. Jensen Ackles (Supernatural, The Winchesters) was announced to be leading the series.
As noted by Deadline, creator Haas recently exited an existing deal with Wolf Entertainment, leading to him signing onto deal with Amazon MGM Studios. Countdown is the first series Haas is attached to since his new deal with Prime Video. The new series follows an LAPD officer, Mark Meachum (Ackles), who is recruited undercover to solve a particularly gruesome murder case. The thriller drama series is not the first time Haas is collaborating with Amazon. According to Deadline, both Vernon Sanders, Amazon MGM Studios Head of Television and Jen Salke, Amazon MGM Studios Head, have previously collaborated with Haas on One Chicago, which Haas wrote while Salke and Sanders were excutives at NBC. Referencing his reunion with the two, Haas told Deadline that he is “thrilled to be working again with Jen Salke and Vernon Sanders and all the excellent people they’ve assembled at Prime Video. I love making shows that keep you on the edge of your seat with nonstop action, drama, surprises, and suspense, and I can’t wait to work with Jensen (Ackles) and for everyone to see Countdown.”
The project, starring the beloved Supernatural actor, currently does not have a release date scheduled. However, according to Deadline, Haas revealed several details about the upcoming thriller drama series’ first season, including its episode count. The first season of Prime Video’s newest series will consist of 13 episodes, a rather large number for a streaming release in the modern era.
According to Deadline, Countdown was created for Ackles as part of his deal with Amazon MGM Studios for Chaos Machine Productions. This is not Ackles’ first time collaborating with Amazon, as he played the main role of Ben in season three of Amazon’s hit series, The Boys, a role for which he is slated to return for season four. In an interview with Deadline, Ackles expressed his excitement regarding his relationship with Amazon MGM Studios stating, “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.” While Countdown currently does not have a set release date, fans of Ackles can catch all three seasons of The Boys streaming on Prime Video.