Movies

‘Countdown’ makes Los Angeles a prominent character — and it’s in danger

BBG News

Today in Los Angeles, actor Jensen Ackles navigates through traffic on Wilshire’s Miracle Mile, rushing to thwart some nefarious events for his new action series on Prime Video called “Countdown”. In character as L.A. Detective Mark Meachum, he is the type of individual who will go to great lengths to apprehend criminals, even if it involves driving up the sidewalk on Wilshire to reach his destination quickly. The first three episodes of this series will be released on Wednesday.

For Ackles, a seasoned TV actor with almost 30 years under his belt and roles spanning from portraying teen turmoil on “Days of Our Lives” to battling demons for 15 seasons on “Supernatural,” and more recently stepping into the role of superhero Soldier Boy on “The Boys,” finding Wilshire Boulevard closed down isn’t the most astonishing aspect of his latest project. Instead, he’s taken aback that this L.A.-based series is being filmed, surprisingly enough, in Los Angeles itself.

As a cinephile, I often find myself marveling at the magic of filmmaking – it’s quite intriguing how sets are frequently used as substitutes for other locations. It’s truly uncommon when the actual location aligns with the intended setting on-screen.

In the series “Countdown,” we follow a task force made up of officers from different law enforcement agencies. They’re assembled following the murder of an agent from the Department of Homeland Security, and it turns out that Los Angeles itself is under grave threat. The initial crime, however, is merely the beginning as investigations reveal a potential disaster reminiscent of Chernobyl lurking in L.A.

Executive producer and showrunner Derek Haas expressed that the concept is incredibly alarming and could impact millions for an extended period. He contemplated the idea of clandestine pathways being exploited to bring harmful substances into the U.S., noting their past usage in illegal drug and human trafficking. Finding it intriguing, he imagined a nefarious figure leveraging these established routes to introduce something far more dangerous into the country.

The main theme of the season revolves around a dangerous menace, which Ackles’ character Meachum collaborates on with Drug Enforcement Administration agent Amber Oliveras (Jessica Camacho), FBI agents Keyonte Bell (Elliot Knight) and Evan Shepherd (Violett Beane), LAPD agent Luke Finau (Uli Latukefu), and special agent in charge Nathan Blythe (Eric Dane from “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Euphoria”). Their mission is twofold: they aim to uncover the mastermind behind this threat, while simultaneously searching for the means through which it will be delivered. As Haas elaborates, their efforts are filled with unexpected plot developments, errors, triumphs, all leading towards a clearer understanding of the plan as it unfolds.

In this scenario, Los Angeles is playing a significant role, much like a leading actor in a series, which producer Dick Wolf, who hails from Dallas but has resided in L.A. for 26 years (and occasionally ventured to Chicago for his Windy City projects), is well-acquainted with given his creation of the long-running NBC show “Chicago Fire” and contributions to spin-offs “Chicago P.D.” and “Chicago Med.” As L.A. isn’t typically the go-to location for filming nowadays, Wolf recognized that this city would be an ideal fit for this project due to its unique characteristics.

He mentions that the allure of Los Angeles lies in its ability to offer unique and captivating sights and opportunities for photography, regardless of where you go. However, he feels that the spirit of Hollywood seems to have shifted elsewhere.

Awards

Six writers hailing from this year’s most enticing and critically-adored television shows share insights on the escalating trend of show production, the allure of binge-watching, and navigating (or embracing) social media noise.

In essence, a report published by FilmLA in April revealed that film, TV, and commercial on-location productions in Los Angeles decreased by 22% during the first quarter of 2025 as compared to the same timeframe in the previous year. For television production specifically, there was a more significant decline of 30.5%. Although some productions were temporarily halted due to January’s fires, it appears that the impact on overall production may not have been long-lasting. Additionally, the report did not indicate that the fires significantly affected the total number of productions. To boost the number of productions, there are proposals to enhance state tax incentives, aiming for greater competitiveness with other states. In this regard, Haas suggests increasing tax credits and rebates to attract more production due to the outstanding work of the ‘Countdown’ crew.

In addition, he emphasized highlighting less-acknowledged aspects of Los Angeles throughout the series. As Haas explains, “I didn’t want it to be about men in suits living in mansions or strolling around Beverly Hills.” Instead, he opted to film scenes in places such as Koreatown, Reseda, Huntington Park, and Chinatown. He wished to present the L.A. that he knew, stretching from the Deep Valley all the way down to Orange County, to ensure viewers saw a variety of perspectives.

In “Countdown,” scenes from the Port of Los Angeles and bird’s-eye perspectives of the city are depicted (as captured by Elizabeth Morris for Prime Video).

During its first season, the series covered numerous locations throughout the city, leaving actor Jensen Ackles – who spent 18 years in L.A. earlier in his career – astonished by the sheer size of Los Angeles. “We’re filming a large-scale shootout at the Port of Los Angeles in Long Beach,” he explains, “and I’m up in Palmdale, battling it out in a prison yard and chasing through the streets downtown. It feels like if anyone truly wants to grasp the city, they should make a TV show here. That’s the fastest way to familiarize yourself with the area.

15 years ago, Chicago-born Camacho relocated to Los Angeles, and now, after filming a show, she’s discovered a new appreciation for both the varied locations and the city’s residents. She shares, “Experiencing LA through playing in its streets and shooting felt incredibly magical. The diversity of its people, as well as the stunning landscapes and natural beauty found in every neighborhood, was truly exhilarating.

Hollywood Inc.

The news that fewer films are being made in Los Angeles is emerging, as legislators persistently advocate for an updated film and television tax credit scheme.

Haas deliberately focused on the diverse areas of Los Angeles within the series’ scene settings, allowing viewers to recognize where the action is happening. This technique mirrors how long-time L.A. residents perceive their city. As he explains, “When you meet someone here, the first question is usually ‘What part of L.A. do you live in?’ So I thought showcasing neighborhoods like Pasadena or Echo Park would provide a fresh perspective on these types of shows.

Haas points out that while high-octane action, such as car chases and shootouts, can work well in movies, it might not sustain a long-running TV series. Instead, he emphasizes the importance of creating characters with compelling storylines – issues like health, parenthood, family dynamics, and interpersonal tension. According to Haas, these elements add depth to each action scene, providing an extra layer of emotional intensity that keeps viewers engaged. As for the characters Meachum and Oliveros, their initial disagreements give way to a complex relationship over time, adding a “sexy heat” to their interactions, as teased by Camacho.

Just as the resilient and relentless “Countdown” task force confronts malicious challenges, so too does Los Angeles, having endured devastating wildfires earlier this year and now grappling with a tenacious Immigration and Customs Enforcement presence. As Haas puts it, while L.A. may appear glamorous from afar, it possesses character, grit, and resilience equal to any other town.

Camacho asserts that Los Angeles is more than just a city of dreamers; it showcases persistence, resilience, and an abundance of love. She finds it incredibly inspiring and beautiful to observe these qualities in the city.

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2025-06-25 13:34

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