Latest news with #Ackles
Express Tribune
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Jensen Ackles' ‘Countdown' storms global charts despite brutal critic reviews
Jensen Ackles is riding high once again as his new Prime Video series Countdown surges in popularity across the globe. Despite launching to a lukewarm 31% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, the high-octane thriller has soared into the Top 10 streaming charts in more than 25 countries, including the U.S. and U.K. Audience response has been far more enthusiastic, with Countdown currently boasting a 72% rating on Popcornmeter. Initially dismissed as a Terminal List knockoff, Countdown is now proving to be far more than that. Ackles stars as a former black-ops operative pulled back into the field amid a web of government lies and a deadly countdown. His performance has drawn comparisons to Chris Pratt's James Reece, but many fans say Ackles brings more heart, grit, and intensity to the role. The series was created by veteran showrunner Derek Haas, known for launching the One Chicago franchise (Chicago Fire, P.D., and Med) and co-writing action hits like Wanted and 2 Fast 2 Furious. With Haas' fast-paced storytelling and Ackles' undeniable screen presence, Countdown mixes emotional stakes with adrenaline-pumping action. Ackles is joined by a powerhouse cast including Jessica Camacho (Bosch: Legacy), Eric Dane (Euphoria), and Violett Beane (The Flash). Together, they drive a tense narrative filled with conspiracies, betrayals, and nail-biting suspense. The show's structure, layered with twists and constant escalation, makes it perfect binge material. As buzz builds online, Prime Video appears to have a surprise summer hit on its hands. Ackles, who rose to fame with Supernatural, is also set to return as Soldier Boy in The Boys Season 5 next year and lead the newly announced prequel Vought Rising. From underdog to international streaming phenomenon, Countdown is a comeback story both for Ackles and for character-driven action TV.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jensen Ackles Still Has a Surprising Connection to ‘Supernatural' Co-Star Jared Padalecki
'Supernatural' co-stars Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki were close while filming the hit series, but it turns out the pair have maintained that friendship in the years that have followed the series' end — something Ackles thinks might come as a surprise to fans of the show. 'We see each other more often than you would think — honestly, at least once a month,' Ackles told People in an interview published Saturday. More from TheWrap 'Love Island USA' Loses Another Islander After Resurfaced Social Media Slurs CNN Reporter Covers Deadly Camp Mystic Flooding in Texas — 30 Years After Being a Camper There Herself | Video Netflix's Love Affair With Korea Isn't Ending With 'Squid Game' 'The Gilded Age' Star Denée Benton Talks Peggy's New Romance, Sparring With Phylicia Rashad: She's the 'Agnes of Newport' The actor added that it was 'weird' to have Padalecki and the pair's co-stars Misha Collins join him on the set of his current series, 'The Boys.' The duo will both be featured in the fifth and final season of the show. 'It was like inviting my friends over to somebody else's house for dinner,' he explained. 'I was like, 'Listen, guys, don't make me look bad. I got to stay here.' They were amazing. I can't wait to talk more about it because it was quite an experience.' Ackles and Paladecki starred on 'Supernatural' from the show's debut in 2005 until its final episode in 2020. 'I don't think we ever, ever thought that it would become what it has become,' he said of the show's enduring fanbase. 'It is a phenomenon. I wish I understood the formula. I don't know that there is a formula for that. I truly feel like it was just a lightning strike, and I'm proud — and will forever be proud — of being a part of it.' Read the interview with Jensen Ackles at People. The post Jensen Ackles Still Has a Surprising Connection to 'Supernatural' Co-Star Jared Padalecki appeared first on TheWrap.
Express Tribune
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Jensen Ackles teases Jared Padalecki and Misha Collins reunion on final season of ‘The Boys'
Jensen Ackles has shared details about reuniting with his Supernatural co-stars Jared Padalecki and Misha Collins in the upcoming final season of The Boys. Speaking to People, Ackles explained the unusual feeling of working together on a new set. 'It was weird. It was like inviting my friends over to somebody else's house for dinner. I was like, 'Listen, guys, don't make me look bad. I got to stay here,'' he said, adding that the experience was 'amazing' and he looks forward to discussing it further. Ackles, who portrays Soldier Boy on the Prime Video series, last worked with Padalecki and Collins during their 15-season run on Supernatural from 2005 to 2020, a series also created by The Boys showrunner Eric Kripke. Padalecki recently confirmed he was open to joining the final season, telling Deadline, 'The answer is yes.' 'We have talked [about a role]. As a matter of fact, we talked today,' Padalecki said. 'I think at this point in my acting life, I only want to work on projects that I really care about or with people that I really care about, and obviously Eric and I are indelibly connected forever.' Collins' involvement follows Jeffrey Dean Morgan, another Supernatural alum, who appeared in The Boys Season 4 as Joe Kessler. This week, Kripke wrapped filming on the series finale, calling the moment 'bittersweet' while expressing gratitude for the cast, crew and the timing of the show's success. The final season of The Boys is set to premiere in 2026 following its record-breaking fourth season, which topped Nielsen streaming charts for Prime Video.
Tom's Guide
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
Jensen Ackles' new Prime Video action series is on course for No. 1 but critics are calling it ‘predictable,' ‘cliche' and downright ‘bad'
'Countdown' is a new Prime Video original action series featuring 'Supernatural' and 'The Boys' alumnus Jensen Ackles as an LAPD detective who joins a secret task force to investigate a murder and soon stumbles upon a larger conspiracy that threatens all of Los Angeles. Sounds good, right? Well, a lot of Prime Video subscribers seem to have been sold by the elevator pitch, because just over a week after its three-episode premiere on the Amazon-owned streaming service, it's proved quite a ratings hit. 'Countdown' has already surged into the Prime Video top 10 most-watched list, and now has the No. 1 spot in its crosshairs. At the time of writing, it ranks in second place, only behind the glossy adaptation of E. Lockhart's best-selling thriller novel, 'We Were Liars.' With Ackles's dedicated fans giving it a big push, and the hooky premise (who doesn't love a good action-drama series?), I won't be shocked if it shortly rises to the summit of the Prime Video top 10. There's just one problem, according to the critics, not to mention Tom's Guide's own Martin Shore, 'Countdown' is anything but must-binge TV. It might even be downright bad... If you're an Ackles fan who has already started 'Countdown' and thinks I'm being a little harsh in my assessment, I submit the show's Rotten Tomatoes score as evidence for my case. Right now, the Prime Video original holds a poor 31% rating from 13 reviews. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Granted, that's not a huge sample size, but it does give us an indication that this show has some pretty glaring faults. 'Unfortunately, though the show has all of the fundamentals needed for an engaging action series, 'Countdown' grows duller by the episode,' said Aramide Tinubu of Variety. The Prime Video original holds a poor 31% rating from 13 reviews. Meanwhile, The Hollywood Reporter's Daniel Fienberg wasn't much kinder, accusing the show of lacking 'urgency or logic' and even labeling the finale (which doesn't hit Prime Video until September 3) 'head-scratchingly bad.' So if you're hoping it gets better after a weaker start, don't bet on it. It's bad at being suspenseful, it's bad at providing emotional investment and it's bad at being memorable. It feels cynical and uninterested in itself. It provides the bare minimum of every element... then loudly insists it's providing a service,' said TheWrap's Gregory Lawrence. Ouch! Another harsh critic was Nick Schager of The Daily Beast, who wrote, '['Countdown' is] Clunky, simplistic, unbelievable, and inert, it's a show that manages the impressive feat of being generic in absolutely every respect.' Which isn't exactly a glowing recommendation. As noted, TG staff writer Martin Shore was no fan of Ackles' latest TV project either. ''Countdown' is so generic that I quickly found it was washing over me,' said Martin, also pointing out the show is full of 'one-note characters" and 'a lot of time is spent watching middling chatter, or cliche storybeats, or exposition dumps.' So, a critical darling, "Countdown" is not. Of course, it's not especially uncommon for critics and viewers to disagree on a show, and 'Countdown's' saving grace may be its audience score, which sits at 76% on Rotten Tomatoes. Recent RT user reviews call it 'action-packed,' 'fast paced,' and 'worth a watch.' Although the cynic in me does feel it's worth pointing out that many of the latest audience reviews aren't shy about proclaiming their love for Jensen Ackles, so I have to question how many of these positive write-ups might be a little colored by the viewer's own fandom. I know I'm always just a little bit kinder to Ryan Gosling movies as a huge fan of the Canadian actor. I suspect you'll still want to give 'Countdown' a chance if you simply can't skip anything involving Ackles, but if you're looking for something with a more unanimously positive reception, here's a guide to everything new being added to Prime Video in July 2025. You can watch "Countdown" on Prime Video now
UPI
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- UPI
No Season 2 for 'Doctor Odyssey' on ABC
TV // 2 days ago Dane, Ackles: 'Countdown' cops collaborate well, but also butt heads NEW YORK, June 25 (UPI) -- Eric Dane and Jensen Ackles told UPI the cop characters they play in the new action-drama, "Countdown," may not always get along, but they work well together under pressure.
