Jensen Ackles’ New Show Scores Release Date, But Will ‘On Call’ Get a Second Chance?

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This summer, Jensen Ackles is moving away from his “Supernatural” past as he debuts in the 2025 TV lineup with the premiere of “Countdown”, his latest Amazon Prime Video series. Known for his work on “The Winchesters” spinoff of “Supernatural” and collaborating again with “Supernatural” creator Erik Kripke on “The Boys”, Ackles has teamed up with Derek Haas, famous for “Chicago Fire”, to portray an LAPD detective who is enlisted into a covert operations unit.

Recently, Amazon Prime Video has announced the release date, which undeniably adds to the excitement. However, it brings me back to the thrilling series “On Call” and the cast’s anticipation about potential renewal news that dates back a few months ago.

When You Can Watch Countdown

On Wednesday, June 25, the much-awaited series titled Countdown is set to debut exclusively for viewers with a Prime Video subscription. The initial three episodes will be made available simultaneously on that day itself, followed by new episodes being released weekly right up until the grand finale on September 1.

Since Jensen Ackles completed filming for the series “Countdown” in March, we don’t have to wait too long to catch it. He shares the screen with Eric Dane from “Grey’s Anatomy”, Jessica Camacho from “The Flash”, and Violett Beane from “Death and Other Details”, along with others.

The narrative of “Countdown” begins as a Department of Homeland Security agent gets killed publicly, leading LAPD detective Mark Meachum (Ackles) to collaborate with undercover agents from various law enforcement agencies in forming a task force to probe the incident.

The story will become more complex from that point forward, and it’s almost certain that there will be a lot of exciting scenes due to Derek Haas, who is both the showrunner and executive producer. For many years, he held these same roles in NBC’s highly successful Chicago Fire, a series known for its impressive stunts on network television.

What About On Call?

Given the recent news on Countdown, I found myself reminiscing about On Call, a 30-minute police drama. This series starred Troian Bellisario from Pretty Little Liars, Brandon Larracuente from The Good Doctor, Lori Loughlin of Full House fame, and Eriq LaSalle, a legend from ER. They all portrayed police officers in Long Beach, California. Unlike most crime dramas, the first season integrated actual bodycam and dash-cam footage. The show was produced by Wolf Entertainment, which is also behind One Chicago, the universe of Law & Order, and the world of CBS’ FBI.

Viewer responses were split when On Call first aired in January, even though it featured a well-loved actor from the hit series Chicago Fire appearing early on. As someone who frequently watches network TV’s nine-show universe created by Dick Wolf, I found myself appreciating the creators’ take on delivering “popcorn entertainment” through their storytelling.

Last December, prior to the show’s premiere on Prime Video, I had the good fortune of conversing with the On Call team. During our discussion, I posed a question to Lori Loughlin and Eriq La Salle about potentially returning for Season 2. Loughlin cheerfully replied, “Oh lord, we certainly hope so!” La Salle, who held roles as both an executive producer and director for On Call, added his thoughts:

Indeed, the series is exceptional and unlike anything else I’ve seen. It’s refreshing because it breaks away from the norm, offering a unique viewing experience. Moreover, despite being only a half-hour drama, it manages to convey an hour’s worth of content, making it feel more substantial. In essence, we’re discussing something innovative and fresh – a rarity in today’s media landscape. We’re actively campaigning for a second season, as I firmly believe this series possesses the strength to captivate audiences once again. Personally, I think it would be madness not to grant us another season.

Given that Eriq La Salle boasts acting, directing, and producing roles in numerous hour-long crime dramas (such as Chicago P.D., Law & Order, Law & Order: Organized Crime, FBI, and the upcoming CIA spinoff of FBI), it’s only fitting that he attests to the novelty of On Call with its shorter, half-hour format. Loughlin further expressed her aspirations for the series, expressing her admiration for the exceptional work her costar did while directing.

I expect the audience to find it appealing, as it seems quite captivating to me. This show is incredibly engaging, brimming with energy. It moves at a fast pace and is heavily character-centric. The way you integrated drone, body camera, and iPhone footage in your work is truly immersive. It makes viewers feel like they’re riding along with these police officers in the squad car.

I had conversations with these stars in December, prior to the January release on Prime Video where viewers could watch all eight episodes. Since then, it’s been several months following the early 2025 premiere, and Amazon hasn’t made a decision about renewing or cancelling On Call. I can’t tell if the cast is losing hope, but I for one am eagerly waiting to find out.

Currently, all enthusiasts can merely anticipate updates and possibly revisit the initial season for more “On Call” excitement. Jensen Ackles’ upcoming show, “Countdown“, appears to be an engaging series that could resonate with any viewer of Wolf Entertainment, and I plan to tune in when it debuts in June.

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2025-05-01 06:09