Derek Haas, Countdown & Jensen Ackles

Introduction

I’ve never been this excited to see a brand new show come to life, as I am with Derek Haas’ new series, Countdown. In anticipation of the coming premiere (date unknown) I wanted to learn all I could about Mr. Haas. To see a list of Haas’ credits, click on his IMDb profile. It’s an impressive resumé to be sure. However, my greatest curiosities lie in knowing what inspires his writing, the choices he employs to craft his unique characters and the approach he takes in bringing his stories to life. One asset he has to tell this story is leading man Jensen Ackles.

In the feature article that follows, I will recount from my research some detail of Haas’ formative years, his reputation for building complex characters and his unique craftsmanship in delivering storylines filled with action, drama and suspense. I will touch on what we know about Countdown and wrap up with a feature highlight of what Jensen Ackles’ fans already know, what a powerhouse of talent Haas has in him.

How Did We Get Here?

A cursory pass at the facts about Haas will tell you he was born on June 30, 1970, and grew up in a suburb of Dallas, Texas, called Richardson. He attended Baylor University for both undergraduate and graduate work, earning a B.A. and an M.A. in English literature. Known for his work in television and film, Derek is also an accomplished novelist, with six publications to his credit.

Haas’s work on One Chicago (Fire, PD, Med, Justice) and FBI: International among other projects, is a success story his fans know well. Not surprising then, is his desire to expand his horizons. In a Variety article published Nov 4/22, Haas shared some thoughtful sentiments about the decade he spent working with Dick Wolf and Peter Jankowski at Dick Wolf Entertainment and the support he received from Universal Television, NBC and CBS. While grateful for everything he learned over those years, Haas is intent on ensuring his career trajectory be aimed at building his own brand in entertainment.

In a more recent article published on June 6/24 by Reel Chicago, Vernon Sanders, head of television, Amazon MGM Studios, was quoted as saying, “We are incredibly excited to be back in business with Derek Haas. He has an undeniable ability to enthrall audiences with thrilling storytelling and heart. We cannot wait for Prime Video’s global customers to experience this dynamic series, led by our very talented star, Jensen Ackles.”

Getting green lights from Prime Video for Derek Haas’ show Countdown, we are seeing the launch of the first series of an exclusive overall deal that Haas has signed with Amazon MGM Studios, following his departure from Wolf Entertainment. Haas has openly reciprocated Vernon Sanders sentiments, sharing his love of “making shows that keep you on the edge of your seat with nonstop action, drama, surprises, and suspense, and I can’t wait to work with Jensen and for everyone to see Countdown.”

So how lucky are we that all the cogs and wheels of the universe have aligned to allow Derek Haas to bring us this exciting new series!

Haas-Formative Years-Inspiration & Creativity

The research into this man’s talent and creativity has been a real trip. He is dedicated to his craft, a variable work horse and by all accounts, a man who is living his dream. I read and watched a great many sources of information to gather details for this feature, and there were two stand-out articles that focused on his formative years. I learned that he has always wanted to be a writer.

When asked what made him realize storytelling was his thing, and even more to the point, when did he realize he was a writer, Haas replied “While other kids were drawing pictures, I was writing stories. I asked for a typewriter for my 10th birthday. It was innate. I just had to do it. I pinch myself every day that I’ve made a living from doing it.” “I think the first time I wrote something that got the reaction I wanted—laughter, emotion, or a lump in the throat. I started writing stories when I was still in elementary school, and it seemed that I could always surprise people with my words.”

Much to the delight of his fans, Haas is living his dream–that of a writer. When asked how he got his start, Haas replied “I always wanted to be a writer. I went to school at Baylor University and stayed for graduate school in English Literature.” “Michael Brandt was doing the same thing, only getting his MA in Film. We teamed up soon after college and started writing together. A screenplay we wrote fell into Brad Pitt’s hands and he wanted to make the movie. He never did end up making it. However, that got us our start.”

Touching on Haas’ influences, he shared that his earliest was Stephen King. “I just think he’s a master storyteller. He knows how to manipulate pace and make his readers keep turning pages. He’s the greatest campfire storyteller of all time.” Equally entertaining was learning about Haas’ favorite iconic 80’s characters in film, “I loved John McClane in ‘Die Hard’ and Martin Riggs in ‘Lethal Weapon’ and Indiana Jones in ‘Raiders’. I could go on all day. And there will always be a special place in my heart for Lt. Raymond Tango and Lt. Gabriel Cash in the seminal film ‘Tango & Cash’.”

I also learned that Derek Haas, was a boyhood fan of the Hardy Boys and Encyclopedia Brown. In his college days (on long drives to visit his parents) he’d listen to great old shows like ‘Suspense’ and ‘Have Gun Will Travel’ and ‘X Minus One,’ part of the “Radio Classics” channel on Sirius/XM with host Greg Bell. This pastime became the impetus for creating “Popcorn Fiction,” his short fiction literary website (no longer available).

Formative influences and inspiration aside, Derek Haas (partnered with Michael Brandt) has proven his mettle in the writing arena with such film credits as (to name a few), “2 Fast 2 Furious,” an action, crime, thriller film from the Fast and Furious franchise, “3:10 To Yuma,” a must-see for any fan of the Western genre, “Wanted,” a crime, thriller lauded for it’s stylized action, impressive stunts and visual and audio effects, and last but not least, the indelible mark he has made in television, with the One Chicago franchise.

Haas-Crafting His Unique Characters

Given the context and genre in which Countdown will land, it makes sense to take a peek at some of Haas’ law enforcement procedurals like Chicago PD and FBI: International to examine the type of characters it takes to elevate such successful projects. What you immediately discover is that these shows are buoyed by a remarkable, interwoven framework of personalities that represent the depth and breadth of human experience. Each one, independently and collectively, run the gambit of emotional intelligence and traits that drop them in different and sometimes conflicted positions along a scale of measured ethics. Something Haas likes to say about most of the characters he creates, “they live in the grey. They are neither all dark nor all light.”

For instance, within the framework of Chicago PD, you have elite officers who bring intelligence, skill and acumen to their investigative responsibilities, and while all of them are effective in “getting the job done” and all carry their own baggage from past experience and trauma, they range from devoted and principled officers to those with moral flexibility. Some officers are not above skirting the law themselves to get to the truth, or to ease the suffering of someone else. They are often doing the wrong thing, for the right reasons. And it plays well with audiences who are left to wonder “what would I do in that situation?” For an elite intelligence unit whose task it is to combat a city’s most heinous crimes, things can get messy and complicated. Haas’ work on his characters reflects that reality to authentically live in that world.

Derek was asked, of his Chicago Fire characters, if you see a natural chemistry on set between particular actors, does that sometimes influence the writing or characterizations? Derek responded emphatically, “Yes!” Sometimes when you see chemistry or you see the personality of your actors you want to write towards that. It makes perfect sense from a writing standpoint to take full advantage of a gifted comedian or someone who is nerdy or someone who gets flustered easily. As a writer it only makes sense to play to both the strengths and the quirks of your cast.

When asked about crafting a new spin off show and building a whole new set of characters, Derek responded, “what makes it fun and interesting is having a whole new set of characters to work with, and build, and find their personalities. It’s always this very interesting process where you think of a character, then you hire an actor. And in TV series, the actors end up bringing their own personalities to it. So, it’s this fun three-dimensional thing that you watch grow as you build a new show.”

Haas-Bringing Story to Life

Lucky for me, there was no shortage of resources available to learn how Derek Haas brings story to life. His work has demonstrated his range, which stretches from his fast-paced, action-driven films to character-focused, dramatic narratives created for television. He has a reputation for delivering work that is grounded in reality, and his storytelling bears the hallmarks of authenticity and realism.

Using Chicago Fire as an example, Haas learned that to write a firefighter character, he had to know what it means to be one. Derek went on ride-a-longs for three weeks with a firehouse in Chicago. What is the difference between a fire engine and a fire truck? How do calls come in? What do they find when they roll up to a scene? It was important for Derek to chronicle the firefighting aspects, but also to shine a light on first responders, demonstrating the daily struggles of ordinary people in extraordinary situations. Highlighting vulnerability and bravery, required that he weave backstory into the main themes to produce multi-faceted and nuanced story arcs, whether they be for a season, or a single episode.

I did come across an interview where Derek said he spent time with FBI agents in Quantico, but he didn’t elude to its context. It’s well known by anyone who knows Haas that he has a deep interest and passion for stories about crime, assassins, gangsters and spies (his own writing as a novelist is a testament to this fact). Naturally my interest is piqued as to what research has been necessary to develop Countdown.

We all know that it takes a multitude of people to bring a story to life. Everything from the writing, wardrobe, makeup, lighting, stunts, camera, set design, electrics, sound and post-production. Actors stand at the forefront of this long list of contributors, and I was particularly impressed, where on at least two occasions, Derek Haas spoke about experiencing his best moments as a writer when he witnessed an actor saying the words that were in his head. While he loves writing novels, there is nothing like watching an actor bring his character to life, seeing that happen is exciting and remarkable and moving in a way that no other writing is.

What Do We Know About Countdown So Far?

As yet, very little is known about Countdown, as the project is still in development. We do know that thirteen episodes were ordered, and it is with Amazon MGM Studios. The plot synopsis has been released and it outlines the basis of a show that will prove to be the canvas by which Haas’ promises can be realized. Those promises are exactly what fans are anticipating; edge of their seat nonstop action, drama, surprises and suspense.

“Countdown starts, following a suspicious murder in broad daylight, which leads to LAPD officer Mark Meachum being recruited to join a secret task force of undercover agents from all branches of law enforcement to investigate. But as the truth of a more sinister plot comes into focus, the team must overcome their conflicting personal agendas to unite and save a city of millions.”

According to the production list put out by the Film & Television Industry Alliance, filming for Countdown has been scheduled to run from September 9, 2024, through February 17, 2025. All filming is set to take place in Los Angeles, California.

The ever-growing list of talent linked with Countdown can be seen here on IMDb. Derek Haas is listed as Writer (Creator) and Executive Producer (Showrunner).

Leading Man-Jensen Ackles

Let me start off by mentioning that I took acting lessons some years ago. My reasons for doing so had nothing to do with a desire to be an actor. My motivation was to awaken my own well of creativity and to overcome a shyness and self-consciousness that was often crippling. So, when you stand up in front of a group of strangers and pretend to be a tree, or climb a ladder that isn’t there, or act out a passage of angry dialogue, you have no choice but to embrace the possibility of embarrassment or ridicule-but you forge ahead anyway. What I learned more quickly than any acting lesson could have taught me, was that doing it requires bravery and emotional range. I walked away from the experience having more respect for actors then I ever thought possible. I’m talking about the good ones of course.  The ones whose performance so absorbs your attention and imagination that you are no longer aware of your surroundings.

And when you combine good acting with good writing, an audience is held hostage.

From my research into Derek Haas, the man can write! Pair that with the talents of Jensen Ackles, and we are all in for a remarkable run of exhilarating entertainment. Knowing that the role of Mark Meachum was built for him, makes this sweeter still. I’m excited to see what he does with it.

For the purposes of this feature article, I wanted to shine a spotlight on Ackles through the use of some scene sharing. From the vast array of choices open to me, both from his professional work and his convention attendance, I’ve pulled some relevant examples to demonstrate his range. He can do it all; action, drama, heart-breaking emotion and comedy. Not only is Ackles an actor who has put in his 10000 hours along a path to master his craft, he is also a director and a producer-all of which informs his performance.

There have also been several accounts from colleagues and coworkers who sing his praises. They speak of his dedication and work ethic, his natural leadership abilities and his generosity towards others. From the world of Supernatural, along with his long-time co-lead Jared Padalecki, these gentleman built a working environment that bolstered kindness, safety, inclusiveness, collaboration and the ability to have fun. So, let’s start there;

–>Action

Being able to portray action is not in every actor’s wheelhouse. Not many do it really well in my opinion. Ackles does. While muscle and machismo are sometimes baked right into particular roles, it’s display is based on circumstance. Action, coupled with drama, can be as subtle as a glare or as intense as hand-to-hand combat. Action that is more overt, requires physicality. Jensen Ackles does this superbly.

Athleticism is key and Jensen’s body moves with an informed fluidity. His actions are both deliberate and economical, whether they be gentle or fierce. Throughout the dream-sequence in the opening scene of Atomic Monsters, we can see his physical agility on display.

In this excerpt you can feel the danger, the threat, but it’s not with the fighters that get in his way. He dispatches them in due course. There is something more dire, urgent and dangerous that awaits him, and he’s not running from it, he’s hunting it. His physical language conveys a yearning in his movements to confront the inevitable. And here I will call attention to another of Ackles’ talents; weaponry. Watch how expertly Jensen handles his weapon. This is about knowledge, deportment, training and a healthy respect for its safety and import. He has the skills necessary to wield a weapon as though it is not something he picked up, but an extension of his own body. He employs its use so effortlessly that he makes it look easy.

–>Drama

When Jensen inhabits the screen, watch closely. His performances are often so nuanced that a single flutter of his eyes adds a layer that wasn’t there before. Ackles’ techniques for emoting on screen are remarkable. His expressions always convey information. The audience can believe in the character, because Ackles lets us in, he shows us. We can see it behind his eyes; in his expressive facial features, in his body language. His character is real, hurts, bleeds, is vulnerable, perhaps reckless.

Let’s look at Dean Winchester’s exchange with the character Uriel. Uriel is a very dangerous being that could obliterate Dean with the wave of his hand. You can see Dean’s fear, as he lowers his eyes when Uriel takes an imposing step towards him. Watch the delicate, almost imperceptible flinches that Jensen uses to convey Dean’s terror, and yet, we see the moment Dean slips on his bravado. It’s futile. He and Uriel both know it. But what Dean knows, is that he will make good on his promise to save the girl and burn for eternity. Jensen pulls everything he needs into his performance; we can see what he wants us to see, we can relate to his vulnerability, his David-facing-down-Goliath stance, his protective instincts brought to the fore. That is, until defeat looms in Uriel’s final threat.

At some point, every actor is called upon to portray more deeply layered emotions. Fear, sorrow, rage, joy, lust, friendship, love. The path starts with character, honors the story being told, then the actor pulls from their own life experience to fuel their performance. And choices are made. Do I let it spring forward [joy] or is this an emotion I would hide from the world [tears]?  It’s in the denial that emotion swells. Then it comes from a place of authenticity. And sometimes, once it does come, the body takes over and an actor must find their way back to equilibrium. The ability to display deeply felt emotion on screen is not a parlor trick. An actor, once they inhabit the character, will feel what needs to be conveyed on screen.

In this scene, the character Dean, who was condemned to hell and tortured, is trying to explain to his brother why a particularly evil demon looked favorably upon him as a man with promise. So now, he reveals the experience to his brother. And with it, he conveys his greatest shame. Ackles portrays such deeply felt emotion, that the audience cannot help but be moved.

The next scene is a great example of how Jensen portrays his character in a dramatic encounter. Watch his range of emotion, his physicality, his expressions, his presence. After months of searching he finds his best friend, he defends his actions, he flashes betrayal, he learns the true nature of his friends sacrifice, he takes command and brooks no refusal.

–>Comedy

Comedy is tough. To do it really well is more difficult than it looks. Ackles does it very well, whether he’s playing the straight man, being sardonic, campy, self-deprecating or engaging in a little slapstick. I’ve pulled a few samples in the following montage;

–>Soldier Boy

Jensen Ackles’ work as Soldier Boy on the Amazon Prime series The Boys, is superb. The canvas might be superheroes but the truth being painted has to do with familial relationships, particularly fathers and sons. More to the point, toxic masculinity and trauma-based parenting styles, antiquated in a by-gone era that have manifested in how that generation of men show up in the world.

In this scene we see Soldier Boy and Butcher exchange childhood stories. Ackles’ performance is layered, almost delicate in the way he reveals the emotion of his childhood. He lets the mask slip, and the pain is etched across his features for so brief a time, if you blink you’ll miss it. Soldier Boy recovers quickly, but not before eyeing Butcher to make sure he didn’t betray himself. He packs away his vulnerability and moves on. But we saw what Butcher missed. Jensen showed us. Like I said, superb.

In Closing

This article was pure joy to create. The deep dive on Derek Haas, the snapshot of what we know (or what little we know) about Countdown, and the spotlight on Derek’s leading man Jensen Ackles, has only built the anticipation for this series. I don’t think I’m alone in saying how excited we are for Amazon MGM Studio to launch this gem for all of us to enjoy.

Stay tuned for any Countdown breadcrumbs as I learn them, and for all the Countdown episode recaps when our new show is live!

Derek Haas’ Published Novels

Links and Source Material

For anyone who wishes to follow the links for my source material… knock your socks off! These are listed in no particular order.

• YouTube Video-ScreenSlam: Derek Haas Talks Casting, Spin Off, Characters, and Situations

• YouTube Video-MyTakeOnTV: One Chicago Day 2016: Derek Haas and Michael Brandt talk Chicago

• YouTube Video-MyTakeOnTV: One Chicago Day 2019: Derek Haas gives us the Scoop

• Article: HeyUGuys [HUG] Exclusive Interview with Derek Haas

• Article: TVBRITTANYF.COM Interview-Derek Haas on Launching the FBI Spinoff -FBI: International

• Article: Writer’s Bone-Why Screenwriter and Novelist Derek Haas Loves Making Readers Cheer for a Hit Man

• Derek Haas Website

• Article: ADrinkWith.com – A Drink with Derek Haas

• YouTube Channel: Meet Us At Molly’s – Many Exclusive Interviews with One Chicago Cast and Crew

• Article-Wolf Entertainment Spotlight-Derek Haas

• Link to the SPNSF Convention Video. I took an excerpt from it, where an audience member asks, “What is your favorite thing about each other, personally and professionally?” The excerpt only includes Misha’s answer about Jensen, professionally.

• All of Jensen Ackles’ scene clips are Courtesy WB & CW.