By Anya Schmidt | LOS ANGELES – 2025/06/25 10:40:03

Actor Jensen Ackles is no stranger to high-octane scenes, but his latest role as L.A. Det. Mark Meachum in Prime Video’s new action series “Countdown” takes him right to the heart of Los Angeles. The series, which premiered its first three episodes Wednesday, features Ackles weaving through traffic on wilshire’s Miracle Mile to thwart villainous plots.

Ackles, a veteran of television with roles ranging from “Days of Our Lives” to 15 seasons on “Supernatural,” and most recently, “The Boys,” notes the unique experience of filming a series set in Los Angeles, in Los Angeles itself.

“A lot of times, shows are shooting other places [as a stand-in] for other places, and it’s rare when you’re shooting in a place that is supposed to be that place,” he says.

“Countdown” centers on a task force composed of members from various law enforcement agencies who unite after the murder of a Department of Homeland Security agent. The series reveals a potential catastrophe, reminiscent of Chernobyl, brewing in Los angeles.

Executive producer and showrunner Derek Haas describes the threat as “terrifying and with a potential to affect millions for years to come.” Haas drew inspiration from real-world smuggling channels, imagining a scenario where these routes are used to bring something far more hazardous into the country.

The series follows Meachum, played by Ackles, alongside DEA agent Amber oliveras (Jessica camacho), FBI agent Keyonte Bell (Elliot Knight), LAPD agent Luke Finau (Uli Latukefu), FBI agent Evan Shepherd (Violett Beane), and special agent in charge Nathan Blythe (Eric Dane).Together, the team races to “identify the mastermind behind the threat while simultaneously occurring working to discover the delivery system for that threat. There are twists and turns and missteps and victories along the way as the plan grows into focus,” according to Haas.

Los Angeles itself becomes a prominent character in the series. Haas, who also created “Chicago Fire” and helped develop its spin-offs, recognized the potential of L.A. as a filming location, especially at a time when it’s frequently enough overlooked.

“The fact that you can go in any direction and there’s something different and interesting to see and to shoot in L.A. is appealing, but it feels like Hollywood has moved away from it,” he says.

According to a report released in April, on-location filming in Los Angeles has seen fluctuations, highlighting the importance of series like “countdown” in showcasing the city.

The Allure of Los Angeles

“I would describe it as terrifying and with a potential to affect millions for years to come.”

Beyond the action and suspense, “Countdown” aims to capture the essence of Los Angeles, delving into its unique character and resilience. Haas wanted to move beyond the typical Hollywood portrayal and explore the city’s diverse neighborhoods, showcasing its grit and determination.

“Everybody thinks of L.A. as this glamorous town when you’re looking from the outside in, but it’s got character and salt and grit as well as any town,” Haas says.

Camacho adds that there’s much more to L.A. than just dreams. “You see the insistence, you see the resilience and you see the love and there’s so much of that here,” she says. “It’s so inspiring and really stunning to witness.”