Prime Video has opted not to renew two of its recent freshman series, Countdown and Butterfly. Both shows were under the production of Amazon MGM Studios and had premiered in late spring and summer. Countdown featured Jensen Ackles, while Butterfly starred Daniel Dae Kim.
Cancellation Details
The decision to cancel Countdown and Butterfly comes despite Countdown maintaining a presence on Prime Video’s U.S. Top 10 list, where it is currently ranked at #10. Both series managed to reach Nielsen’s Top 10 for Streaming Originals, with Countdown reaching #8 and Butterfly at #6. However, the final decision was influenced by overall global viewership numbers.
Series Performers
- Countdown: Created and executive produced by Derek Haas, it follows LAPD detective Mark Meachum, portrayed by Ackles, who joins a secret task force after a homeland security officer is murdered.
- Butterfly: Co-created by Ken Woodruff, this character-driven spy thriller revolves around David Jung, played by Kim, an ex-U.S. intelligence operative facing the repercussions of his past actions.
Programming Changes
Prime Video’s review process also included six scripted series launched between May and August. While We Were Liars and Overcompensating were renewed, Motorheads faced cancellation. Additionally, the crime dramas saw Bosch spinoff Ballard receive renewal, contrasting the fates of Countdown and Butterfly.
Executive Decisions
These decisions were made during the leadership of Vernon Sanders, the outgoing Head of Global TV at Amazon MGM Studios. The final decisions were concluded shortly after Peter Friedlander was named his successor. Notably, Amazon MGM Studios continues its partnership with Ackles through the first-look deal involving his production company, Chaos Machine.
Future Projects
Despite the cancellations, Ackles is set to appear in the upcoming Boys spinoff series, Vought Rising. Meanwhile, Butterfly’s development was backed by Kim’s production company, 3AD, and the series was filmed in South Korea.
Cast and Crew Highlights
- Countdown Cast: Includes Eric Dane, Jessica Camacho, Violett Beane, Elliot Knight, and Uli Latukefu.
- Butterfly Cast: Features Kim Ji-hoon, Park Hae-soo, Kim Tae-hee, Charles Parnell, Sean Dulake, Nayoon Kim, with guest appearances from Sung Dong-il and Lee Il-hwa.
The cancellations of Countdown and Butterfly mark significant changes in programming for Prime Video, as the platform looks to refocus its efforts and resources on more successful series.
