Jensen Ackles Is Back in Action in Prime Video’s Countdown

Entertainment Weekly Cover Feature Unveils His Return as Det. Mark Meachum

47-year-old Jensen Ackles proves once again he’s not slowing down. The former Supernatural star is back on our screens, leading the charge in the new Prime Video series Countdown. Ackles plays Det. Mark Meachum, part of a gritty task force tasked with protecting Los Angeles from looming threats.

Featured on the latest Entertainment Weekly cover, Jensen takes readers behind the scenes from the set of Countdown, giving insight into the bond he’s formed with the cast and crew. From tactical training to late-night shoots, Ackles opens up about how their real-life chemistry translates to screen—and why teamwork on set matters as much as it does in the storyline.

In the feature, Ackles also shares the guiding principles he’s followed throughout his career. “Show up, know your lines, and don’t be a jerk,” he says—a rule that’s clearly worked for him across decades of consistent performances and fan-favorite roles.

With Countdown, Jensen steps into a new kind of action drama, bringing depth, grit, and his signature charm to the role of Meachum. It’s clear he’s ready to take us on another adrenaline-fueled ride—and we’re buckled in.