Prime Video Pulls the Plug: 'Countdown' and 'Butterfly' Canceled After One Season

Brace yourselves, thriller fans: Prime Video has officially pulled the plug on two of its freshman dramas, "Countdown" and "Butterfly," leaving viewers with unresolved cliffhangers and a collective sense of disappointment.

TL;DR

• Prime Video officially canceled the Jensen Ackles-led thriller "Countdown" and the Daniel Dae Kim-starring spy drama "Butterfly" on October 10, 2025, after just one season each.
• Despite strong initial viewership numbers and fan enthusiasm, especially for "Countdown," Amazon's decision reportedly came down to overall global viewership performance.
• "Countdown" creator Derek Haas confirmed that fan-favorite character Amber Oliveras survived her cliffhanger, while Jensen Ackles expressed his "bummer" over the cancellation but remains busy with new projects, including more "The Boys."

The Unfortunate End for Prime Video's Latest Thrillers

Well, this is a tough one to report, folks. Just when you thought you'd settled into some exciting new action-packed shows, Prime Video dropped a double dose of bad news on October 10, 2025. Both "Countdown," starring the beloved Jensen Ackles, and "Butterfly," featuring the talented Daniel Dae Kim, have been canceled after their inaugural seasons. It's a real bummer, especially for shows that left us hanging with some pretty big cliffhangers.

These cancellations are part of a larger content reevaluation by Amazon MGM Studios, which has seen a few other new series either renewed or cut. While some shows got a green light for more seasons, "Countdown" and "Butterfly" didn't make the cut, much to the dismay of their growing fanbases. Let's dive into what happened, why it matters, and what the stars are saying.

'Countdown' Reaches Zero: A Thriller's Unexpected Halt

For fans of intense, city-saving action, "Countdown" seemed like a promising ride. Launched on June 25, 2025, and wrapping its 13-episode run on September 3, the series quickly found an audience, thanks in no small part to its lead, "Supernatural" veteran Jensen Ackles. It consistently lingered in Prime Video's U.S. Top 10 for over a month, even hitting number eight on Nielsen's weekly U.S. ranking of streaming originals with an impressive 409 million minutes viewed across its first four episodes.

The show, created by Derek Haas (known for his work on "One Chicago" and "FBI: International"), followed LAPD detective Mark Meachum (Ackles) as he joined a secret task force after a Homeland Security officer's murder. This led to a thrilling race against time to prevent a city-wide catastrophe. However, despite the viewership, "Countdown" didn't quite win over critics, landing a "rotten" 35% on Rotten Tomatoes. Variety's chief TV critic even dubbed it "monotonous" and a "snooze fest," citing a lack of compelling characters and storylines.

Jensen Ackles Shares His Disappointment and Gratitude

Naturally, the news hit the cast hard, especially Jensen Ackles, who had openly expressed hopes for a second season. He took to social media to share his thoughts, calling the cancellation "a bummer" and expressing how much he enjoyed making the show with the cast and crew.

"Well, as some of you may have seen already, Countdown did not get picked up for another season. Amazon’s gonna let it go, and it’s a bummer. I had such a such an amazing time making that show. I had an absolute blast with the cast and the crew. Thank you to Derek [Haas] for making the show and writing those characters. Thanks to Amazon, for giving us the opportunity, especially Vernon Sanders, for being such a champion for that show. But sometimes you can set out to do your best and check all those boxes, and ultimately, it’s out of your hands. That’s the way it goes in this industry."

"So, anyway, that’s the end from Mark Meachum and Oliveras and Finau and Bell and Shepherd and Blythe. But I’m thankful for the experience. I really am, and we’ll see you down the road on something else, I guess."

— Jensen Ackles on the "Countdown" cancellation

Ackles' former "Supernatural" co-star, Jared Padalecki, and "The Boys" buddy Jack Quaid were among many who chimed in with support, highlighting the collaborative spirit of Hollywood even in tough times.

The 'Countdown' Cliffhanger: Did Oliveras Make It?

Adding to the sting of cancellation, "Countdown" ended its first season on a massive cliffhanger. The main villain, Seth, was revealed to be an FBI agent and had kidnapped DEA badass Amber Oliveras (Jessica Camacho), lining up a sniper shot as she tried to escape. Fans were left wondering about Oliveras' fate and the escalating plot to assassinate the governor of California or even the President.

Thankfully, creator Derek Haas offered a small but crucial piece of closure on social media: "Pssst... Oliveras lived." While we won't see how that played out on screen, it's a small comfort amidst the disappointment. Haas had previously defended his choice to end on a cliffhanger, stating, "I don't give a s--t, I'm doing it," loving the suspense it created for a weekly format show.

The show's impressive ensemble cast also included Eric Dane as Special Agent in Charge Nathan Blythe, Milo Ventimiglia as the murdered DHS officer, Jonathan Togo as Damon Drew, Uli Latukefu as Lucas Finau, Violett Beane as Evan Shepherd, and Elliot Knight as Keyonte Bell. Eric Dane also made headlines earlier this year, announcing his ALS diagnosis in April, though he affirmed his commitment to continuing his work on "Euphoria."

'Butterfly' Takes Flight But Doesn't Return for a Second Journey

Alongside "Countdown," Prime Video also clipped the wings of "Butterfly," a character-driven spy thriller that debuted on August 13, 2025. Starring and executive produced by Daniel Dae Kim, the series was co-created by Ken Woodruff and based on Arash Amel's graphic novel. It followed David Jung (Kim), a former U.S. intelligence operative living in South Korea, whose life takes a dramatic turn when a deadly assassin—his estranged daughter, Rebecca (Reina Hardesty)—is sent to kill him by a sinister spy organization.

Unlike "Countdown's" weekly release, "Butterfly" dropped all its episodes at once. It performed well on the streaming charts, reaching number six on Nielsen's Top 10 for Streaming Originals. Critically, "Butterfly" generally fared better, garnering "solid reviews" and a 68% critic score (84% audience) on MovieWeb. Collider praised Kim's "layered performance," Hardesty's "breakout turn," and the show's "cinematic scope" and "emotional depth," especially appreciating its authentic cultural blend, filmed on location in South Korea at iconic spots like Seoul Station.

The supporting cast for "Butterfly" included Kim Ji-hoon, Park Hae-soo, Kim Tae-hee, Charles Parnell, Sean Dulake, and Nayoon Kim, with guest appearances from Sung Dong-il and Lee Il-hwa. Despite its unique premise and positive reception, "Butterfly" ultimately met the same fate as "Countdown."

Why Did Amazon Cancel These Seemingly Popular Shows?

So, what gives? Both shows had notable stars, broke into streaming Top 10s, and garnered significant buzz. According to reports, particularly from Deadline, the decision for "Countdown"—which was considered the "stronger overall performer" of the two—came down to its "total global viewership." It seems that while they performed well in the U.S., their reach across Amazon's worldwide audience might not have met the high bar set by the streamer.

This is a common, albeit frustrating, trend in the streaming landscape. Even shows with dedicated fanbases can get axed if they don't hit specific (often undisclosed) global metrics. These decisions were made under Amazon MGM Studios' outgoing Head of Global TV, Vernon Sanders, with the final calls happening after Peter Friedlander was announced as his successor.

In this recent round of cancellations and renewals, Prime Video also renewed YA dramas "We Were Liars" and "Overcompensating," and the "Bosch" spinoff "Ballard." Unfortunately, "Motorheads" was also among the canceled titles. It's a tough business, and sometimes even good shows with engaged audiences don't get the chance to grow.

What's Next for Jensen Ackles and Daniel Dae Kim?

While we're sad to see "Countdown" and "Butterfly" go, both Jensen Ackles and Daniel Dae Kim are incredibly busy talents with plenty more in store for us.

• Jensen Ackles: Don't worry, you'll see plenty more of Ackles. He's still got his first-look deal with Amazon MGM Studios through his company Chaos Machine. More excitingly for fans of supes and satire, he's set to reprise his role as Soldier Boy in Prime Video's upcoming "The Boys" prequel series, "Vought Rising," and will return for the main series' fifth and final season. Plus, he's guest-starring in the two-part premiere of CBS's "Tracker," joining Justin Hartley's Colter Shaw.
• Daniel Dae Kim: Kim, through his production company 3AD, also has a first-look deal with Amazon MGM Studios, so we can expect more projects from him in the future. He's a prolific actor and producer, and it's highly likely he'll be back on our screens in a new role sooner rather than later.

It's always a disappointment when a show you're invested in gets cut short, especially with tantalizing cliffhangers. However, it's clear that both Ackles and Kim are talents that will continue to bring us exciting stories, even if "Countdown" and "Butterfly" won't be among them. Here's hoping their next ventures get a longer run!

Frequently Asked Questions About the Cancellations

Are "Countdown" and "Butterfly" coming back for Season 2?

No, unfortunately. Prime Video officially canceled both "Countdown" and "Butterfly" on October 10, 2025, after just one season each. There will not be a second season for either show.

Where can I still watch "Countdown" and "Butterfly" Season 1?

Both "Countdown" and "Butterfly" Season 1 are still available to stream on Prime Video for subscribers.

What was the main reason Prime Video canceled these shows?

Reports indicate that while both shows performed well domestically (especially "Countdown," which was in the U.S. Top 10), the ultimate decision came down to their "total global viewership." They likely didn't meet Amazon's worldwide audience metrics for renewal.

Will Jensen Ackles and Daniel Dae Kim be in other shows soon?

Absolutely! Jensen Ackles is reprising his role as Soldier Boy in "The Boys" prequel "Vought Rising" and the main "The Boys" series' fifth and final season. He'll also guest star in the "Tracker" premiere. Daniel Dae Kim, a prolific actor and producer, also has a first-look deal with Amazon and is expected to announce new projects in the future.

Sources

• Reports from Deadline, Variety, TVLine, Collider, MovieWeb, and CBR.