There would be One Chicago franchise without Chicago Fire, and there would be no Chicago Fire without Derek Haas. The talented writer and producer co-created Fire, and has now moved on to another compelling procedural drama. This time, however, there's a twist.
Haas' new series is titled Countdown, and it revolves around LAPD detective Mark Meachum (Jensen Ackles). The detective is recruited by a secret task force to investigate the death of a Department of Homeland Security officer. The twist? The crime is not as straightforward as it initially seems.
Derek Haas exited Chicago Fire in 2022
Per the synopsis: "The hunt for the killer soon uncovers a plot far more sinister than anyone could have imagined, kicking off a race against time to save a city of millions." Not only will Meachum have to contend with the task force members he's still getting to know, but he's going to have to gauge whether the undercover agents working alongside the task force are to be trusted.
Countdown may seem like a far cry from Chicago Fire, the show that Haas made his name on, but it actually makes sense given that the showrunner also had a hand in making FBI: International. Haas knows what makes a compelling crime series, and he's got a cast that's more than up to the task of delivering exciting moments, between Ackles, Eric Dane and Jessica Camacho.
Derek Haas' track record is impeccable. He co-created Chicago Fire in 2012, and helped produce the show for over a decade. He wrote a staggering 226 episodes of the show, along with 195 episodes of Chicago PD and 150 episodes of Chicago Med. He even did 13 episodes for the short-lived Chicago Justice.
Countdown will air its first three episodes on June 25
If anyone lays claim to be Mr. One Chicago, it's him. Haas also served as the creator and executive producer for FBI: International starting in 2021. He's still involved with the show, which is coming to an end this May. Countdown represents something fresh, however, because its the first show that will be unveiled under Haas' deal with Amazon MGM Studios.
Countdown has already been a given a 13-episode order for a first season, which Hello Magazine describes as a "rare" feat. The procedural drama is set to release its first three episodes across the globe June 25 on Prime Video.