The Chicago Fire and Grey’s Anatomy Collaboration *No One* Saw Coming

One Chicago veteran Derek Haas has a new series in the works at Amazon Prime Video and the cast is already starting to come together. Keep reading to see who’s in the Countdown cast, including alums from Grey’s Anatomy and Supernatural. 

The upcoming series was announced on June 6, 2024, and will mark the first major project for Haas since he left Wolf Entertainment in 2023. It is also the first series to come out of an exclusive overall deal Haas has signed with Amazon MGM Studios. The television industry veteran co-created NBC’s Chicago Fire and served as the co-showrunner on both the firefighter drama and CBS’ FBI: International. He helped develop several other Dick Wolf shows as well, including Chicago Med, Chicago P.D. and the now-cancelled Chicago Justice.

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Haas announced his departure in November 2022 and finished out the 2022-23 television season. “Although I am leaving Wolf Entertainment next year to focus on creating new shows, I’m entirely committed to delivering amazing episodes of Chicago Fire and FBI: International through the end of the current seasons,” he said in a statement at the time. “I learned everything I know about storytelling, pace, characters, production values, and hiring the best cast, crews, and staffs from Dick Wolf and Peter Jankowski, and as hard as it is to leave a place you love and have called home for over a decade, including incredible support from Universal Television, NBC and CBS, I look forward to building my own brand in entertainment.”

His new show is described as a thriller drama that follows a suspicious murder in broad daylight, which leads to LAPD officer Mark Meachum being recruited to join a secret task force of undercover agents from all branches of law enforcement to investigate. Per the official logline: “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.” The series will consist of 13 episodes and is set to debut in 2025.

“I am thrilled to be working again with Jen Salke and Vernon Sanders and all the excellent people they’ve assembled at Prime Video,” Haas said in a statement. “I love making shows that keep you on the edge of your seat with nonstop action, drama, surprises, and suspense.”

Read on to learn more about the cast of Countdown.

Who’s in the Countdown cast?

Get to know the cast and characters of Countdown, Amazon Prime Video’s new thriller series from One Chicago veteran Derek Haas.

Jensen Ackles (Mark Meachum)

Jensen Ackles will star in Haas’ new series as Mark Meachum, an LAPD officer who is recruited to investigate the murder the show centers on. The role marks Ackles first lead role since his hit show, Supernatural, ended in 2020. Ackels starred on the long-running CW drama, which first debuted in 2005, for all 15 seasons. The show followed the two brothers, Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean Winchester (Ackles) who lost their mother when they were young. Raised by their father, they were groomed to go into the family business of hunting down evil supernatural creatures.

Since Supernatural‘s series finale, Ackles has guest starred on Amazon Prime’s The Boys as Soldier Boy and CBS’ Tracker as Russell Shaw, the estranged brother of Justin Hartley’s Coulter Shaw. He also narrated the now-canceled Supernatural prequel series The Winchesters and served as an executive producer.

Countdown was specifically developed for Ackles, who entered a first-look deal with Amazon MGM Studios in 2023 for Chaos Machine Prods., his production company with wife Danneel Ackles.

“We are incredibly excited to be back in business with Derek Haas,” Amazon MGM Studios Head of Television Vernon Sanders said in a statement. “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.” Haas added that he “can’t wait to work with Jensen and for everyone to see Countdown.”

Eric Dane (Nathan Blythe)

Shortly after Ackles’ casting was announced, news broke that Grey’s Anatomy alum Eric Danes has also signed on to Countdown. Danes will play Nathan Blythe, a Special Agent in Charge who’s been with the FBI for 22 years. According to a press release, Blythe is describes as “military cut, trim, fit, and packing an imposing glare.” The character description continued: “He’s seen a lot in his days on the job, and he has a passion for fighting for justice. Though this isn’t his first task force he’s led, this one is different.”

Dane starred on seasons 2-9 of ABC’s hit medical drama as Dr. Mark Sloan, aka “McSteamy.” Mark was tragically killed off following the notorious Season 8 plane crash, along with love interest Lexie Grey (Chyler Leigh). The hospital in the show, Grey Sloan Memorial, is now named after the two characters. Both Dane and Leigh reprised their roles during Season 17, appearing in a dream-like scene with Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo).

Since leaving Grey’s, Dane has been booked and busy. In fact, Countdown will mark the actor’s second military role, as he previously starred in TNT’s drama series The Last Ship, which ran for five seasons. Dane is also currently starring on HBO’s Euphoria as Nate’s (Jacob Elordi) dad Cal. Production for the drama series’ third season has been significantly delayed, which allows Dane to film both Euphoria and Countdown.

Jessica Camacho (Amber Oliveras)

Jessica Camacho has been tapped to play the female lead in Countdown. She will portray Amber Oliveras, a Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) special agent with 14 years of experience. According to a press release, Amber has been undercover in multiple operations and is “a badass who won’t take crap from anyone.” The synopsis continues: She’s intrigued by this new opps team and though she seems to do well enough on her own, it’ll be a nice change of pace working with others.”

Camacho is best known for starring on CW’s The Flash as Cynthia Reynolds, better known as Gypsy. The actress also had a recurring role on S.W.A.T. as Jackie Vasquez  and a lead role on the CBS/OWN legal drama All Rise. Her other credits include HBO’s Watchmen, Sleepy Hollow, Bones and Rizzoli & Isles. Camacho celebrated her new role on Countdown on Instagram, writing alongside the press release: “See you soon. :).”

Check out what alums of Chicago Fire are up to now in the gallery below.