The clock is ticking in new Prime action series Countdown

The Advertiser

03-07-2025

Cops and agents from various branches of law enforcement are brought together on a task force in LA to prevent the potential loss of thousands of lives in new action drama Countdown.
It looks like bad guys have got their hands on some highly dangerous material that could cause a Chernobyl-level disaster in the City of Angels, so this crew will do whatever it takes to stop that from happening - even if it involves colouring outside the lines and putting their own lives in significant danger.
It's a ragtag group centred around LAPD officer Mark Meachum (the always-charming and ever-watchable Jensen Ackles, Supernatural) who has just done a nine-month undercover stint in prison. Then there's Amber Oliveras (Jessica Camacho), who spent significant time undercover with drug cartels, tech whiz Evan Shepherd (Violett Beane, Drop), man mountain Lucas Finau (Aussie Uli Latukefu, The Last Anniversary), third generation FBI agent Keyonte Bell (Elliott Knight) and the folks in charge, Nathan Blythe (Eric Dane, still best known as McSteamy from Grey's Anatomy) and his right-hand man Damon Drew (Jonathan Togo, CSI: Miami).
The action is pretty decent and the characters are likeable. Countdown is a highly palatable action series with a broad appeal, easily sitting alongside the likes of Reacher or The Night Agent.
After an initial drop of three episodes to get you hooked, the series is releasing episodes weekly.
Marvel's TV shows have been very hit and miss thus far - mostly miss, if we're being honest.
While the likes of Daredevil, Ms Marvel and Hawkeye were brilliant, we had to endure the lacklustre Secret Invasion, Loki season two and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
Ironheart is the latest offering, and it follows Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne), a gifted young scientist/inventor who was first introduced in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. After picking up a bunch of knowledge during her time in Wakanda, Riri has gone back to college and found the resources just aren't up to her new standard, and has started completing other students' projects for cash to fund her work. The school, of course, is not on board with this and she is expelled, sent back home to Chicago with what little she could pocket on her way out.
Down on her luck and without the funds to truly amaze in her iron suit, she falls in with a less than legal crew who are taking on morally questionable rich folk in the city. They're led by The Hood, played by the talented Anthony Ramos (Hamilton, Into the Heights). Aussie Zoe Terakes is also one of the band of misfits, who each bring their own set of skills to the criminal group.
While Riri is working hard on getting her iron suit up to scratch, she accidentally creates a new AI helper (like Jarvis was Iron Man's helper before he became Vision) in the form of her dead best friend. It's a nice touch and one of the better points in the series.
She's also formed a friendship with 'Joe McGillicuddy' (Alden Ehrenreich, Solo: A Star Wars Story), who is hiding a familiar identity behind his fake name.
Ironheart has its moments, and sometimes hits those Marvel notes of old that we all love, but on the whole it's not one of the more memorable instalments in the Marvel TV hall of fame.
The opening couple of episodes might be a little uneven, but the performances and concept in Smoke should be enough to keep you intrigued beyond them.
Taron Egerton (Rocketman) plays Dave Gudsen, a former firefighter turned arson investigator with designs on becoming an author. He's got two serial arsonist cases on his desk when detective Michelle Calderon (Jurnee Smollett, The Burial) is reassigned to help him out. She's out of favour in her own department and is determined to score a big win on the arson cases.
The show is moody and a little offputting, and even features a song by Radiohead's Thom Yorke in the opening titles. We follow one of the arsonists from the start, played by Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, and his performance is highly impressive and sad. There's a reveal at the end of the second episode that's played like it's a big shocker but was fairly obvious to anyone paying attention.
Time will tell if the show lives up to the promise of its cast (which also includes Greg Kinnear, Rafe Spall and John Leguizamo) and writer, Dennis Lehane (known for the likes of Gone Baby Gone, Mystic River and Shutter Island).
Season four of The Bear is not going to be for everyone. If thus far you've merely put up with the characters' more introspective, slow-moving moments while you waited for the plot to kick in, this season might just lose you.
There's very little actual movement in the story. The crazy intensity and chaos of the kitchen that drove seasons one and two has faded away. Now it's all about how these flawed but lovable characters are feeling more than what they're doing.
Just about everyone on the show has recognised their own shortcomings and is actively working to remedy them - a remarkable thing to behold. If you've made it this far because you love seeing Carmy, Richie, Syd, Tina and the rest grow and tackle their issues and obstacles, you'll still love The Bear in season four.
While there aren't any episodes to rival Fishes or Forks from season two, or even last season's Napkins or Ice Chips, episode seven of this season is beautiful and moving, and filled to the brim with guest stars, including new addition Brie Larson. Other guest stars this season include Rob Reiner and Danielle Deadwyler.
The final season of juggernaut Korean series Squid Game, which is really much more of an extension of season two than its own thing, has arrived on Netflix with six brand new episodes. For something less intense, catch Mark Ruffalo and Riverdale's Lili Reinhart in the eight-episode dramedy Hal and Harper on Stan. For some documentary action, catch the film Shark Whisperer on Netflix, Ewan McGregor's latest motorcycle travelogue series The Long Way Home on AppleTV+, and the truly moving and affecting film My Mom Jayne, from Law and Order SVU's Mariska Hargitay, about her famous mother Jayne Mansfield, on Max.
Cops and agents from various branches of law enforcement are brought together on a task force in LA to prevent the potential loss of thousands of lives in new action drama Countdown.
It looks like bad guys have got their hands on some highly dangerous material that could cause a Chernobyl-level disaster in the City of Angels, so this crew will do whatever it takes to stop that from happening - even if it involves colouring outside the lines and putting their own lives in significant danger.
It's a ragtag group centred around LAPD officer Mark Meachum (the always-charming and ever-watchable Jensen Ackles, Supernatural) who has just done a nine-month undercover stint in prison. Then there's Amber Oliveras (Jessica Camacho), who spent significant time undercover with drug cartels, tech whiz Evan Shepherd (Violett Beane, Drop), man mountain Lucas Finau (Aussie Uli Latukefu, The Last Anniversary), third generation FBI agent Keyonte Bell (Elliott Knight) and the folks in charge, Nathan Blythe (Eric Dane, still best known as McSteamy from Grey's Anatomy) and his right-hand man Damon Drew (Jonathan Togo, CSI: Miami).
The action is pretty decent and the characters are likeable. Countdown is a highly palatable action series with a broad appeal, easily sitting alongside the likes of Reacher or The Night Agent.
After an initial drop of three episodes to get you hooked, the series is releasing episodes weekly.
Marvel's TV shows have been very hit and miss thus far - mostly miss, if we're being honest.
While the likes of Daredevil, Ms Marvel and Hawkeye were brilliant, we had to endure the lacklustre Secret Invasion, Loki season two and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
Ironheart is the latest offering, and it follows Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne), a gifted young scientist/inventor who was first introduced in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. After picking up a bunch of knowledge during her time in Wakanda, Riri has gone back to college and found the resources just aren't up to her new standard, and has started completing other students' projects for cash to fund her work. The school, of course, is not on board with this and she is expelled, sent back home to Chicago with what little she could pocket on her way out.
Down on her luck and without the funds to truly amaze in her iron suit, she falls in with a less than legal crew who are taking on morally questionable rich folk in the city. They're led by The Hood, played by the talented Anthony Ramos (Hamilton, Into the Heights). Aussie Zoe Terakes is also one of the band of misfits, who each bring their own set of skills to the criminal group.
While Riri is working hard on getting her iron suit up to scratch, she accidentally creates a new AI helper (like Jarvis was Iron Man's helper before he became Vision) in the form of her dead best friend. It's a nice touch and one of the better points in the series.
She's also formed a friendship with 'Joe McGillicuddy' (Alden Ehrenreich, Solo: A Star Wars Story), who is hiding a familiar identity behind his fake name.
Ironheart has its moments, and sometimes hits those Marvel notes of old that we all love, but on the whole it's not one of the more memorable instalments in the Marvel TV hall of fame.
The opening couple of episodes might be a little uneven, but the performances and concept in Smoke should be enough to keep you intrigued beyond them.
Taron Egerton (Rocketman) plays Dave Gudsen, a former firefighter turned arson investigator with designs on becoming an author. He's got two serial arsonist cases on his desk when detective Michelle Calderon (Jurnee Smollett, The Burial) is reassigned to help him out. She's out of favour in her own department and is determined to score a big win on the arson cases.
The show is moody and a little offputting, and even features a song by Radiohead's Thom Yorke in the opening titles. We follow one of the arsonists from the start, played by Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, and his performance is highly impressive and sad. There's a reveal at the end of the second episode that's played like it's a big shocker but was fairly obvious to anyone paying attention.
Time will tell if the show lives up to the promise of its cast (which also includes Greg Kinnear, Rafe Spall and John Leguizamo) and writer, Dennis Lehane (known for the likes of Gone Baby Gone, Mystic River and Shutter Island).
Season four of The Bear is not going to be for everyone. If thus far you've merely put up with the characters' more introspective, slow-moving moments while you waited for the plot to kick in, this season might just lose you.
There's very little actual movement in the story. The crazy intensity and chaos of the kitchen that drove seasons one and two has faded away. Now it's all about how these flawed but lovable characters are feeling more than what they're doing.
Just about everyone on the show has recognised their own shortcomings and is actively working to remedy them - a remarkable thing to behold. If you've made it this far because you love seeing Carmy, Richie, Syd, Tina and the rest grow and tackle their issues and obstacles, you'll still love The Bear in season four.
While there aren't any episodes to rival Fishes or Forks from season two, or even last season's Napkins or Ice Chips, episode seven of this season is beautiful and moving, and filled to the brim with guest stars, including new addition Brie Larson. Other guest stars this season include Rob Reiner and Danielle Deadwyler.
The final season of juggernaut Korean series Squid Game, which is really much more of an extension of season two than its own thing, has arrived on Netflix with six brand new episodes. For something less intense, catch Mark Ruffalo and Riverdale's Lili Reinhart in the eight-episode dramedy Hal and Harper on Stan. For some documentary action, catch the film Shark Whisperer on Netflix, Ewan McGregor's latest motorcycle travelogue series The Long Way Home on AppleTV+, and the truly moving and affecting film My Mom Jayne, from Law and Order SVU's Mariska Hargitay, about her famous mother Jayne Mansfield, on Max.
Cops and agents from various branches of law enforcement are brought together on a task force in LA to prevent the potential loss of thousands of lives in new action drama Countdown.
It looks like bad guys have got their hands on some highly dangerous material that could cause a Chernobyl-level disaster in the City of Angels, so this crew will do whatever it takes to stop that from happening - even if it involves colouring outside the lines and putting their own lives in significant danger.
It's a ragtag group centred around LAPD officer Mark Meachum (the always-charming and ever-watchable Jensen Ackles, Supernatural) who has just done a nine-month undercover stint in prison. Then there's Amber Oliveras (Jessica Camacho), who spent significant time undercover with drug cartels, tech whiz Evan Shepherd (Violett Beane, Drop), man mountain Lucas Finau (Aussie Uli Latukefu, The Last Anniversary), third generation FBI agent Keyonte Bell (Elliott Knight) and the folks in charge, Nathan Blythe (Eric Dane, still best known as McSteamy from Grey's Anatomy) and his right-hand man Damon Drew (Jonathan Togo, CSI: Miami).
The action is pretty decent and the characters are likeable. Countdown is a highly palatable action series with a broad appeal, easily sitting alongside the likes of Reacher or The Night Agent.
After an initial drop of three episodes to get you hooked, the series is releasing episodes weekly.
Marvel's TV shows have been very hit and miss thus far - mostly miss, if we're being honest.
While the likes of Daredevil, Ms Marvel and Hawkeye were brilliant, we had to endure the lacklustre Secret Invasion, Loki season two and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
Ironheart is the latest offering, and it follows Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne), a gifted young scientist/inventor who was first introduced in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. After picking up a bunch of knowledge during her time in Wakanda, Riri has gone back to college and found the resources just aren't up to her new standard, and has started completing other students' projects for cash to fund her work. The school, of course, is not on board with this and she is expelled, sent back home to Chicago with what little she could pocket on her way out.
Down on her luck and without the funds to truly amaze in her iron suit, she falls in with a less than legal crew who are taking on morally questionable rich folk in the city. They're led by The Hood, played by the talented Anthony Ramos (Hamilton, Into the Heights). Aussie Zoe Terakes is also one of the band of misfits, who each bring their own set of skills to the criminal group.
While Riri is working hard on getting her iron suit up to scratch, she accidentally creates a new AI helper (like Jarvis was Iron Man's helper before he became Vision) in the form of her dead best friend. It's a nice touch and one of the better points in the series.
She's also formed a friendship with 'Joe McGillicuddy' (Alden Ehrenreich, Solo: A Star Wars Story), who is hiding a familiar identity behind his fake name.
Ironheart has its moments, and sometimes hits those Marvel notes of old that we all love, but on the whole it's not one of the more memorable instalments in the Marvel TV hall of fame.
The opening couple of episodes might be a little uneven, but the performances and concept in Smoke should be enough to keep you intrigued beyond them.
Taron Egerton (Rocketman) plays Dave Gudsen, a former firefighter turned arson investigator with designs on becoming an author. He's got two serial arsonist cases on his desk when detective Michelle Calderon (Jurnee Smollett, The Burial) is reassigned to help him out. She's out of favour in her own department and is determined to score a big win on the arson cases.
The show is moody and a little offputting, and even features a song by Radiohead's Thom Yorke in the opening titles. We follow one of the arsonists from the start, played by Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, and his performance is highly impressive and sad. There's a reveal at the end of the second episode that's played like it's a big shocker but was fairly obvious to anyone paying attention.
Time will tell if the show lives up to the promise of its cast (which also includes Greg Kinnear, Rafe Spall and John Leguizamo) and writer, Dennis Lehane (known for the likes of Gone Baby Gone, Mystic River and Shutter Island).
Season four of The Bear is not going to be for everyone. If thus far you've merely put up with the characters' more introspective, slow-moving moments while you waited for the plot to kick in, this season might just lose you.
There's very little actual movement in the story. The crazy intensity and chaos of the kitchen that drove seasons one and two has faded away. Now it's all about how these flawed but lovable characters are feeling more than what they're doing.
Just about everyone on the show has recognised their own shortcomings and is actively working to remedy them - a remarkable thing to behold. If you've made it this far because you love seeing Carmy, Richie, Syd, Tina and the rest grow and tackle their issues and obstacles, you'll still love The Bear in season four.
While there aren't any episodes to rival Fishes or Forks from season two, or even last season's Napkins or Ice Chips, episode seven of this season is beautiful and moving, and filled to the brim with guest stars, including new addition Brie Larson. Other guest stars this season include Rob Reiner and Danielle Deadwyler.
The final season of juggernaut Korean series Squid Game, which is really much more of an extension of season two than its own thing, has arrived on Netflix with six brand new episodes. For something less intense, catch Mark Ruffalo and Riverdale's Lili Reinhart in the eight-episode dramedy Hal and Harper on Stan. For some documentary action, catch the film Shark Whisperer on Netflix, Ewan McGregor's latest motorcycle travelogue series The Long Way Home on AppleTV+, and the truly moving and affecting film My Mom Jayne, from Law and Order SVU's Mariska Hargitay, about her famous mother Jayne Mansfield, on Max.
Cops and agents from various branches of law enforcement are brought together on a task force in LA to prevent the potential loss of thousands of lives in new action drama Countdown.
It looks like bad guys have got their hands on some highly dangerous material that could cause a Chernobyl-level disaster in the City of Angels, so this crew will do whatever it takes to stop that from happening - even if it involves colouring outside the lines and putting their own lives in significant danger.
It's a ragtag group centred around LAPD officer Mark Meachum (the always-charming and ever-watchable Jensen Ackles, Supernatural) who has just done a nine-month undercover stint in prison. Then there's Amber Oliveras (Jessica Camacho), who spent significant time undercover with drug cartels, tech whiz Evan Shepherd (Violett Beane, Drop), man mountain Lucas Finau (Aussie Uli Latukefu, The Last Anniversary), third generation FBI agent Keyonte Bell (Elliott Knight) and the folks in charge, Nathan Blythe (Eric Dane, still best known as McSteamy from Grey's Anatomy) and his right-hand man Damon Drew (Jonathan Togo, CSI: Miami).
The action is pretty decent and the characters are likeable. Countdown is a highly palatable action series with a broad appeal, easily sitting alongside the likes of Reacher or The Night Agent.
After an initial drop of three episodes to get you hooked, the series is releasing episodes weekly.
Marvel's TV shows have been very hit and miss thus far - mostly miss, if we're being honest.
While the likes of Daredevil, Ms Marvel and Hawkeye were brilliant, we had to endure the lacklustre Secret Invasion, Loki season two and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
Ironheart is the latest offering, and it follows Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne), a gifted young scientist/inventor who was first introduced in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. After picking up a bunch of knowledge during her time in Wakanda, Riri has gone back to college and found the resources just aren't up to her new standard, and has started completing other students' projects for cash to fund her work. The school, of course, is not on board with this and she is expelled, sent back home to Chicago with what little she could pocket on her way out.
Down on her luck and without the funds to truly amaze in her iron suit, she falls in with a less than legal crew who are taking on morally questionable rich folk in the city. They're led by The Hood, played by the talented Anthony Ramos (Hamilton, Into the Heights). Aussie Zoe Terakes is also one of the band of misfits, who each bring their own set of skills to the criminal group.
While Riri is working hard on getting her iron suit up to scratch, she accidentally creates a new AI helper (like Jarvis was Iron Man's helper before he became Vision) in the form of her dead best friend. It's a nice touch and one of the better points in the series.
She's also formed a friendship with 'Joe McGillicuddy' (Alden Ehrenreich, Solo: A Star Wars Story), who is hiding a familiar identity behind his fake name.
Ironheart has its moments, and sometimes hits those Marvel notes of old that we all love, but on the whole it's not one of the more memorable instalments in the Marvel TV hall of fame.
The opening couple of episodes might be a little uneven, but the performances and concept in Smoke should be enough to keep you intrigued beyond them.
Taron Egerton (Rocketman) plays Dave Gudsen, a former firefighter turned arson investigator with designs on becoming an author. He's got two serial arsonist cases on his desk when detective Michelle Calderon (Jurnee Smollett, The Burial) is reassigned to help him out. She's out of favour in her own department and is determined to score a big win on the arson cases.
The show is moody and a little offputting, and even features a song by Radiohead's Thom Yorke in the opening titles. We follow one of the arsonists from the start, played by Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, and his performance is highly impressive and sad. There's a reveal at the end of the second episode that's played like it's a big shocker but was fairly obvious to anyone paying attention.
Time will tell if the show lives up to the promise of its cast (which also includes Greg Kinnear, Rafe Spall and John Leguizamo) and writer, Dennis Lehane (known for the likes of Gone Baby Gone, Mystic River and Shutter Island).
Season four of The Bear is not going to be for everyone. If thus far you've merely put up with the characters' more introspective, slow-moving moments while you waited for the plot to kick in, this season might just lose you.
There's very little actual movement in the story. The crazy intensity and chaos of the kitchen that drove seasons one and two has faded away. Now it's all about how these flawed but lovable characters are feeling more than what they're doing.
Just about everyone on the show has recognised their own shortcomings and is actively working to remedy them - a remarkable thing to behold. If you've made it this far because you love seeing Carmy, Richie, Syd, Tina and the rest grow and tackle their issues and obstacles, you'll still love The Bear in season four.
While there aren't any episodes to rival Fishes or Forks from season two, or even last season's Napkins or Ice Chips, episode seven of this season is beautiful and moving, and filled to the brim with guest stars, including new addition Brie Larson. Other guest stars this season include Rob Reiner and Danielle Deadwyler.
The final season of juggernaut Korean series Squid Game, which is really much more of an extension of season two than its own thing, has arrived on Netflix with six brand new episodes. For something less intense, catch Mark Ruffalo and Riverdale's Lili Reinhart in the eight-episode dramedy Hal and Harper on Stan. For some documentary action, catch the film Shark Whisperer on Netflix, Ewan McGregor's latest motorcycle travelogue series The Long Way Home on AppleTV+, and the truly moving and affecting film My Mom Jayne, from Law and Order SVU's Mariska Hargitay, about her famous mother Jayne Mansfield, on Max.