Amazon Cancels ‘Countdown’ and ‘Butterfly’ After Just One Season

Amazon Prime Video Pulls the Plug on “Countdown” and “Butterfly”

Amazon Cancels Freshman Dramas Following One Season

Amazon Prime Video has axed its new series “Countdown” and “Butterfly,” which showcased stars Jensen Ackles and Daniel Dae Kim, respectively. Despite each debuting this year and garnering positions on Nielsen’s top 10 streaming originals chart, the decision leaves fans without the follow-up seasons they had hoped for.

Details of “Countdown”: A Suspenseful LAPD Detective Drama

Created by Derek Haas and produced by Amazon MGM Studios, “Countdown” portrayed the intense journey of an LAPD detective brought into an undercover team to chase down a Department of Homeland Security officer’s killer. The series unraveled a complex conspiracy, setting a thrilling pace to save Los Angeles from impending danger.

In the aftermath of its cliffhanger finale, Jensen Ackles expressed optimism about a continued saga, telling Emegypt, “The show was designed to lead into Season 2, so fingers crossed that audience engagement and ongoing discussions will allow us to further our story.” However, the show’s reception was lukewarm among critics.

Critical Reception: What Went Wrong?

Variety’s chief TV critic, Aramide Tinubu, found “Countdown” lacking in depth and engagement, labeling it “monotonous” and a “snooze fest.” She criticized the series for its indistinct characters and a plot weighed down by underwhelming backstories, resulting in a poor 35% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

“Butterfly”: A Story of Shadowy Past Decisions

“Butterfly,” brought to life by Steph Cha and Ken Woodruff, followed a former U.S. intelligence agent dealing with the ramifications of his past, affecting both him and his family. Despite its promising elements, it too failed to capture the desired intrigue.

Tinubu’s review echoed this sentiment, suggesting that the show, while equipped with thrilling components, relied too heavily on superficial allure rather than enriching character depth.

Prime Video’s Latest Programming Decisions

In other recent updates from Amazon Prime Video, the platform has decided to continue with popular series such as “We Were Liars” and “Overcompensating,” while “Motorheads” joins the list of cancellations. Additionally, fans of “Bosch” can look forward to more intrigue with the renewal of its crime thriller spinoff, “Ballard.” The news was initially reported by Deadline.