Jensen Ackles & Eric Dane Face Chernobyl-Level Terror in L.A. in Prime Video’s ‘Countdown’

Jensen Ackles and Eric Dane are about to set screens ablaze—literally—in Prime Video’s newest high-stakes action thriller, Countdown, launching June 25 with a three-episode premiere. The first official trailer has dropped, and it’s clear: this is not just another cop drama—it’s a ticking time bomb of tension, terror, and edge-of-your-seat suspense.

Created by Derek Haas, the mastermind behind Chicago Fire and FBI: International, Countdown plunges viewers into a terrifying race against time to prevent a “Chernobyl-level event” on American soil. The action centres in Los Angeles, where a Homeland Security officer is gunned down in broad daylight, triggering a massive joint-agency investigation.

Prime Video’s Countdown has Jensen Ackles play Mark Meachum, a hard-nosed LAPD detective recruited into a top-secret task force with members pulled from every corner of U.S. law enforcement. They’re joined by undercover agents—including Amber Oliveras, played by Jessica Camacho—as they chase down leads that reveal a plot far more dangerous than anyone imagined.

“I was just checking to see how you were after that bomb went off in our face last night,” Meachum says in the opening scene of the trailer, just before a car explodes in spectacular fashion. Without missing a beat, Amber replies: “Ready to rock.”

That bold tone sets the stage for a series packed with gritty realism, explosive set pieces, and urgent stakes. The trailer promises pulse-pounding suspense as the task force scrambles to unravel a conspiracy that could claim the lives of millions. Also starring Violett Beane, Elliot Knight, and Uli Latukefu, Countdown isn’t just about action—it’s about the human cost of national security failures and the brave few who put everything on the line to prevent disaster.

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What to Expect from Countdown’s Release Schedule

Countdown will launch with three episodes on June 25, followed by new weekly episodes leading up to the season finale on September 3. The nine-episode first season is produced by Amazon MGM Studios, with Derek Haas serving as showrunner and executive producer with Jensen Ackles and Eric Dane.

This is Jensen Ackles’ return to serialised TV drama after his stints in The Boys and Supernatural, while Eric Dane steps away from his Euphoria persona for a grittier, more grounded role. Their chemistry, combined with Derek Haas’ pedigree in procedural storytelling, makes Countdown one of the most highly anticipated series of the summer.

 

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Why Countdown Could Be Prime Video’s Next Hit

With its combination of real-world relevance, multi-agency intrigue, and big-budget action, Countdown taps into the cultural zeitgeist of national security paranoia and urban terrorism. It’s tailor-made for fans of 24, Jack Ryan, and The Night Agent.

For Prime Video, it could be the perfect summer binge — equal parts thriller and drama, with performances and plotlines that keep viewers hooked weekly.