Prime Video Orders Countdown Starring Jensen Ackles, From Derek Haas
Haas closes exclusive overall deal with Amazon MGM Studios
CULVER CITY, California—June 6, 2024—Today, Prime Video announced it has ordered Countdown from Derek Haas (Chicago franchise, FBI: International), with Jensen Ackles (The Boys, Supernatural) attached to star. The 13-episode series was developed for Jensen Ackles, who is also under a first-look television deal with Amazon MGM Studios. This is the first series from Haas under his new exclusive overall deal with Amazon MGM Studios. Countdown will stream exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.
Countdown starts following a suspicious murder in broad daylight, which leads to LAPD officer Mark Meachum (Jensen Ackles) being recruited to join a secret task force of undercover agents from all branches of law enforcement to investigate. But as the truth of a more sinister plot comes into focus, the team must overcome their conflicting personal agendas to unite and save a city of millions.
“We are incredibly excited to be back in business with Derek Haas. He has an undeniable ability to enthrall audiences with thrilling storytelling and heart. We cannot wait for Prime Video’s global customers to experience this dynamic series, led by our very talented star, Jensen Ackles,” said Vernon Sanders, head of television, Amazon MGM Studios.
“I am thrilled to be working again with Jen Salke and Vernon Sanders and all the excellent people they’ve assembled at Prime Video,” said Derek Haas. “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 and for everyone to see Countdown.”
“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,” said Jensen Ackles. “I simply cannot wait to partner with Derek and the rest of our Countdown family to bring this story to life.”
Derek Haas created the series and serves as executive producer and showrunner. The series is produced by Amazon MGM Studios.
About Derek Haas
Derek Haas is a renowned writer and producer who co-created and/or executive produced five hit television shows in the last decade: Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, Chicago Med, FBI, and FBI: International.
Though best known for his work with TV legend Dick Wolf, he has also written and produced many hit feature films and published a best-selling book series.
The features 3:10 to Yuma, Wanted, 2 Fast 2 Furious, and Catch That Kid were all co-written by Haas when he was part of a writing team with Michael Brandt. These popular films grossed over a half-billion dollars worldwide at the box office.
Haas is also the author of The Silver Bear, Columbus, Dark Men, A Different Lie, and The Way I Die, a book series that The New York Times Book Review called “devastatingly cool.”
Born and raised in Texas, Haas attended Baylor University for both undergraduate and graduate work, earning a B.A. and an M.A. in English literature. He now lives in Los Angeles.
About Jensen Ackles
Actor, director, and producer Jensen Ackles has lent his charisma and talent to some of the most beloved series of recent years, including six-time People’s Choice Award-winning show Supernatural, Dawson’s Creek, Smallville, Dark Angel and Prime Video’s Emmy-winning series The Boys.
This year, Ackles voices “Batman”/”Bruce Wayne” in DC’s animated three-part movie event Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earth, reprising the role from 2001’s Batman: The Long Halloween.
Ackles began his acting career in 1997 as the critically acclaimed “Eric Roman Brady” on Days Of Our Lives, for which he received three Daytime Emmy nominations and won the Soap Opera Digest Award for Best Male Newcomer in 1998.
Additional credits include The Winchesters, Big Sky, My Bloody Valentine 3D, Devour, and Ten Inch Hero.
Along with his wife, Danneel, Ackles runs Chaos Machine, the production company known for the hit Supernatural prequel series The Winchesters, on The CW. Chaos Machine is under an overall deal at Amazon MGM Studios for film and television.
The Ackles are active in raising awareness and funds for various social interests. They partnered with and are on the board of a charity founded by his Supernatural co-star, Misha Collins, called RandomActs —an organization aiming to change the world by spreading positivity in communities everywhere. They also partnered with Random Acts to create a new initiative to revolutionize high school education in 2020 by bringing laptops into the villages of Nicaragua in the era of COVID-19 and the need for virtual instruction. The Ackles are strong supporters of Creative Action, a nonprofit, arts-based youth development organization that provides creative learning programs for Central Texas youth. They also support OutYouth, an organization providing a safe space for all sexual orientations and gender identities as well as The Birthday Party Project, an organization that throws birthday parties for children in homeless shelters. The Ackles also fund a donor-advised fund that directs funding to other charity organizations based on interest and need.
