Since it was announced earlier this year, the hype has only continued to grow forJensen Ackles’ return to TV with Prime Video’sCountdown. It’s been just over one week since the first few episodes crashed onto the streamer, and the reviews are mixed, to say the least. While audiences seem to be enjoying the latest production to come fromDerek Haas(the mind behind theOne Chicagofranchise), critics have given it a less-than-savory stamp of disapproval. It certainly doesn’t help that the competition over at Amazon’s streaming home is tough, withFlixPatrolrevealing thatCountdownhas officially lost the number one spot on the platform’s Top 10 to its fellow newcomer,We Were Liars.
The two titles couldn’t be more different, but both are perfect in their own way for summer viewing. On the one hand,Countdownis a high-octane thrill ride, paying homage to thegritty action heroes of the pastwhile keeping viewers locked in on a nail-biting storyline. On the other,We Were Liarscenters around an affluent family who spends their summers vacationing on their private island. The cast is filled withup-and-coming young talentand the story centers around a world-upending lie that threatens to rip apart relationships.
As mentioned at the top, the gap between critics' reception and audience reception toCountdowncouldn’t be any more different. OnRotten Tomatoes, the former slapped the series with an abysmal 31%, while audiences are much more intrigued to see how the story pans out, hailing it with 70%. Thegap between the two numbersis not only head-scratching, but it’s one of the most divisive we’ve seen in recent years. Meanwhile,We Were Liarscozied up to criticson the online ratings platform, nabbing a 63% approval rating alongside its 65% audience score. With just two points separating them, these numbers are more in line with what we’re used to.
The Fate of ‘Countdown’ and ‘We Were Liars’ Hangs In the Balance
As of right now, Prime Video hasn’t made any major declarations to renew or cancel either series. Despite its negative feedback,Countdowncreator, Haas, admits that he hasplans for a second season— he just hasn’t dreamt up anything beyond that.
“I’ve been thinking about Season 2. The truth is, you don’t want to get too far ahead, because the real world rears its head, and then you want to be able to be in the moment of what’s happening in the world when you’re doing a show like this. So I’ve definitely been thinking about plots for Season 2, but I’m not past that.”
Likewise,We Were Liarsstar,Emily Alyn Lind, has left the door wide open on the possibility of a sophomore installment, previously stating,
“We’re in the hands of the viewers and the studio, and our wonderful writers and where they want to go with it. I don’t think anything is impossible.”
CountdownandWe Were Liarsare both streaming now on Prime Video.
We Were Liars
