Prime Video Shocker: 'Countdown,' 'Butterfly' Canceled After One Season

Talk about a gut punch! Prime Video has officially announced the cancellation of two of its promising series, "Countdown" and "Butterfly," leaving fans of Jensen Ackles and Daniel Dae Kim's thrillers with unresolved cliffhangers.

TL;DR: The Quick Scoop on Prime Video's Cancellations

Prime Video canceled crime thriller "Countdown" and spy drama "Butterfly" after just one season each on October 10, 2025.
"Countdown" star Jensen Ackles shared his disappointment on Instagram, calling the news a "bummer" despite having "an amazing time" making the show.
"Butterfly" saw a surprising surge in global viewership after its cancellation, hitting #3 on Prime Video's charts, leading to questions about the decision.

The Unexpected End of Jensen Ackles' "Countdown" Journey

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If you were hooked on "Countdown," you're not alone in your disappointment. Amazon's Prime Video officially gave the Jensen Ackles-led crime thriller the axe on October 10, 2025, just over a month after its 13-episode first season wrapped up in early September. The show, which premiered weekly starting in June, followed Ackles as LAPD officer Mark Meachum, a former Army Ranger who finds himself deep in a secret task force. Their mission? Solving a suspicious murder that quickly unravels into a much larger, sinister plot to prevent a major terrorist event in Los Angeles.

From the outside, "Countdown" looked like a solid performer. It even spent some time chilling on Nielsen's Top 10 U.S. streaming charts and was still lingering in Prime Video's U.S. Top 10 (at No. 10) as of October 10, 2025. In its second week, it pulled in an impressive 409 million minutes viewed across its first four episodes. So, what gives?

What Led to the "Countdown" Clock Running Out So Soon?

Despite its apparent popularity in the U.S., reports suggest the show's "total global viewership" might not have hit Prime Video's benchmarks. While critics weren't universally thrilled – the show holds a 35% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes – for many fans, this cancellation is a real head-scratcher, especially since Season 1 ended on a nail-biting cliffhanger. Remember Jessica Camacho's Agent Amber running through that field with a sniper on her tail? Yeah, we won't get to see how that plays out... or will we?

"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 because I had such an amazing time making that show. Had an absolute blast with the cast and the crew."

"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."

— Jensen Ackles, on the cancellation of "Countdown"

Jensen Ackles took to Instagram to share his thoughts, expressing genuine disappointment. He thanked creator Derek Haas, the writers, and Amazon for the opportunity, acknowledging that sometimes, despite everyone's best efforts, things are "out of your hands" in this industry. It's a sentiment many actors face, and it clearly resonated with his "Supernatural" buddies.

The Fate of Agent Oliveras and Support from Fellow Stars

Speaking of that cliffhanger, creator Derek Haas gave fans a tiny sliver of hope (or at least closure) via Bluesky, writing, "Hey, thank you to Amazon Prime and a great cast and crew for our season of Countdown! Fun to make all around! (pssst ... Oliveras lived)." Phew! So Agent Amber Oliveras made it, but the larger plot to stop the assassination of the governor or POTUS remains a mystery.

Ackles wasn't alone in facing this news. His longtime "Supernatural" co-star, Jared Padalecki, quickly jumped into the comments to show support, saying, "Their loss brother. You were amazing in it. Which is no surprise to ANYBODY. I’ll still be re-watching. And I can’t wait to see what you do next." Other notable friends like Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Tom Welling, Felicia Day, Jack Quaid, and Aya Cash also chimed in with messages of love and encouragement. It's heartwarming to see the industry rally around one of its own.

While "Countdown" may be over, Jensen Ackles isn't slowing down. You can catch him in the third season of CBS's "Tracker," and he's set to reprise his fan-favorite role as Soldier Boy in "The Boys" prequel "Vought Rising" and the upcoming fifth and final season of "The Boys."

Here's a quick look at the main cast of "Countdown":

Jensen Ackles as Mark Meachum
Jessica Camacho as Amber Oliveras
Eric Dane as Nathan Blythe
Violett Beane as Evan Shepherd
Elliot Knight as Keyonte Bell
Uli Latukefu as Lucas Finau
Rachel Armstrong
Bogdan Yasinski as Borys Volchek
Milo Ventimiglia as a Department of Homeland Security officer

"Butterfly" Flies Away Despite Chart-Topping Performance

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Another show getting the axe from Prime Video is "Butterfly," the compelling spy thriller starring Daniel Dae Kim. This cancellation is perhaps even more puzzling than "Countdown," given the show's impressive post-cancellation performance.

Released in August, the six-episode series took viewers on an action-packed journey through South Korea. Kim played David Jung, a former U.S. intelligence operative whose quiet life is shattered when his estranged daughter, Rebecca (played by Reina Hardesty), turns out to be a professional assassin sent to kill him. Based on Arash Amel's graphic novel, "Butterfly" expertly blended espionage with deep family drama, boasting cultural authenticity with bilingual dialogue and being shot entirely on location in cities like Seoul and Busan.

"Butterfly's" Surprising After-Life on the Charts

Here's where it gets interesting: just days after Prime Video confirmed its cancellation on October 10, 2025, "Butterfly" skyrocketed to #3 on Prime Video's global streaming charts! It also previously peaked at #6 on Nielsen's Top 10 Streaming Originals. Critics and fans praised its balance of tension and emotion, as well as Daniel Dae Kim's powerful performance and Reina Hardesty's breakout role. Collider's review noted, "'Butterfly' may not be the mind-blowing spy thriller you expect when you first turn it on, but it'll win you over with its heart."

So, if it was doing so well, why cut it? Prime Video cited a "broader slate reevaluation" for the decision, which leaves many scratching their heads. The first season ended with David and Rebecca successfully implicating Juno (Piper Perabo) and the Caddis organization, but with a sudden stabbing and Rebecca's disappearance, leaving plenty of room for a second season.

Daniel Dae Kim himself expressed hope for more, telling TV Insider before the cancellation, "I hope there is a second season... it makes the world our oyster. We could go anywhere." Piper Perabo, who played Juno, also looked forward to exploring her character's dynamic with David Jung. Alas, it seems those hopes won't be realized.

The core cast that had us captivated in "Butterfly" included:

Daniel Dae Kim as David Jung
Reina Hardesty as Rebecca
Piper Perabo as Juno
Louis Landau as Oliver
Kim Tae-hee as Eunju

The Harsh Realities of Streaming Cancellations

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The cancellations of "Countdown" and "Butterfly" highlight a tough truth in today's streaming landscape: even shows that seem to perform well can get the ax. Streamers like Prime Video are constantly evaluating viewership, not just in specific regions like the U.S., but globally. Factors like Rotten Tomatoes scores (even if not the sole reason), production costs, and how a show fits into the platform's long-term strategy (the "slate reevaluation" mentioned for "Butterfly") all play a part.

Unlike traditional networks that often stick to rigid programming schedules, streaming services have more flexibility, making them quicker to pull the plug on shows that don't quite hit their internal metrics, regardless of critical buzz or dedicated fanbases. It's a bummer, but it's "the way it goes in this industry," as Jensen Ackles put it.

Frequently Asked Questions About These Cancellations

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When were "Countdown" and "Butterfly" officially canceled?

Both "Countdown" and "Butterfly" were officially reported as canceled by Prime Video on October 10, 2025.

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

Both series, "Countdown" and "Butterfly," are still available to stream in their entirety (Season 1) on Amazon Prime Video.

Why were "Countdown" and "Butterfly" canceled by Prime Video?

For "Countdown," it appears global viewership might not have met Prime Video's expectations, despite its U.S. popularity. For "Butterfly," Prime Video cited a "broader slate reevaluation," even though the show saw a significant surge in global popularity post-cancellation.

Will the cliffhangers from "Countdown" and "Butterfly" ever be resolved?

For "Countdown," creator Derek Haas confirmed that Agent Amber Oliveras lived. However, the larger plot threads from both shows' cliffhangers are unlikely to be fully resolved unless a future project unexpectedly picks them up.