Amazon Prime Video’s Countdown exploded onto screens in July 2025, captivating audiences with its high-stakes procedural drama centered on the FBI’s elite Counter-Clock Task Force. Starring Jensen Ackles as the brooding special agent Robert “Dagger” Daggert, Jessica Camacho as the fierce analyst Maya Ortiz, and Eric Dane as the calculating team lead Mark Evans, the series followed the unit’s race against time to stop imminent threats. But after today’s jaw-dropping Season 1 finale on September 16, 2025, fans are left screaming at their screens, begging for answers. The case may be closed, but the cliffhanger has ignited a firestorm: will this powerhouse trio return for Season 2?
The finale, titled “Zero Hour,” wrapped the team’s hunt for a shadowy terrorist cell with a pulse-pounding raid that saved a city from catastrophe. Yet, in a twist that redefines “shocking,” Dagger uncovers a mole within the FBI—someone close enough to know his darkest secrets. As the credits rolled on Dagger staring at a cryptic message on his phone—”It’s just beginning”—viewers flooded X with reactions, from “What the HELL?!” to “Season 2 or riot!” The episode drew 12.5 million global viewers in its first day, surpassing Reacher‘s premiere and cementing Countdown as Prime’s breakout hit.
Creator Derek Haas (Chicago Fire), who penned the finale, spilled the tea in an exclusive Variety interview today. “The cliffhanger had to happen because Countdown isn’t about solving one case—it’s about the endless war on terror and the personal toll it takes,” Haas revealed. “Dagger’s world is crumbling from the inside, and that mole? It’s someone we love. Season 2 would dive into betrayal on a massive scale, with Maya questioning her loyalties and Mark facing his past demons.” Haas teased wilder elements ahead: international ops, a rogue AI threat, and deeper backstories for the team’s unsung heroes like tech whiz Raina (Uzo Aduba).
Ackles, reprising his intense leading-man vibe post-The Boys, echoed the excitement. “Dagger’s got layers—gruff exterior, but he’s fighting ghosts from his military days. That ending? It’s personal. I’d kill to explore it more.” Camacho, whose Maya became a fan-favorite for her no-nonsense edge, added, “The finale sets up epic arcs for all of us. Maya’s ready to go global.” Dane, bringing his Euphoria charisma to Mark, hinted at redemption: “My guy’s not the villain you think—yet.”
With Prime Video renewing fan-favorite procedurals like Bosch, the network is mum on Countdown‘s fate, but metrics scream greenlight. Social buzz has #SaveCountdown trending, with petitions surpassing 200,000 signatures. Haas remains optimistic: “We’ve got outlines for Season 2 that’d make your head spin—cartel crossovers, cyber hacks, and Dagger’s family in peril.” Fans, what do you want? More mole hunts? Deeper team dynamics? A Reacher cameo? The clock’s ticking—tell Prime: bring it back.
As the dust settles on Season 1, one thing’s clear: Countdown isn’t just ticking—it’s exploding. With Ackles, Camacho, and Dane at the helm, a second season could redefine the genre. Stream the finale now and join the frenzy. The mission isn’t over; it’s just begun.
