Countdown season 2 future addressed by Jensen Ackles after huge cliffhanger ending

*Warning - this article contains major spoilers for the first season of Countdown.*

The first season of action thriller series Countdown has come to an end, with Prime Video viewers left reeling after the finale ended on a huge cliffhanger.

The series, which sees Supernatural legend Jensen Ackles star in the role of Detective Mark Meachum, finished on a very dramatic note - and now fans want to know if it will be back for season 2.

A follow-up surely seems likely, as the finale leaves Jessica Camacho's character Amber Oliveras fighting for her life, but showrunner Derek Haas has not yet confirmed it will return.

However, lead actor Ackles has given fans a sneak peek into the potential plot for Season 2 of the hit crime drama.

In a chat with Variety, he discussed the unexpected ending of Countdown's first series, which included a 10-month time leap that saw the launch of a second investigation targeting the President and California's governor.

"I think it was a smart writer choice to kind of wrap up the Season 1 storyline with three episodes to go," Ackles shared.

"It gave [series creator Derek Haas] an opportunity to start building towards a next big case and a next big sendoff, and it obviously leaves Season 1 ending on a huge cliffhanger."

He then added hopefully: "I think it was designed to lead into Season 2, so fingers crossed Amazon is still liking what they're seeing, and the audience participation and the critics talking about it give us enough firepower to continue that story and see where this goes. Obviously, it would suck if it just ends there!"

Ackles also went on to discuss how Countdown might delve into the unseen 10-month period between investigations in future episodes.

"Derek and I have talked about whether or not we're going to get an opportunity to shed light on that void and see the things that he was doing," he said. "But I think for the most part, he had a drive to get back on his feet, get back to work, and get back to doing the thing that he loves doing, and it was probably a struggle for him.

"But what that looked like, we haven't discussed in-depth, but I feel like there might be some cool things that we can reveal if given the opportunity."

Series creator Haas also discussed the finale and potential for a second series with TV Insider.

Explaining Grant Harvey's character Todd targeting Oliveras, he said: "Well, he does see her at the bar, and he thinks, 'That's the most vulnerable member I could pick off,' not knowing what she's capable of, but as a hunter, sometimes you go for the member you think you can take down of the flock with the least resistance.

"You find out that he's pinning all of this on someone else. So I think that's part of his plan, but that part of the plan might be his undoing."

Cryptically referring to Todd's intentions, the creator hinted: "He's going to shoot her. That's the plan. Will he? We're going to wait and see.

"If the dog was a test run and we, the audience, don't know the end result to that, even though we talked about it, then this is not good for Oliveras' future."

It seems Haas has remained tight-lipped on whether the season will go ahead, simply telling viewers to "stay tuned".

However, he previously admitted that he was "feeling good" about the show, saying: "It feels like we continue to pick up viewers every week and so that gets me all excited."

The synopsis for Countdown reads: "When an officer with the Department of Homeland Security is murdered in broad daylight, LAPD detective Mark Meachum, portrayed by Ackles, is recruited to a secret task force, alongside undercover agents from all branches of law enforcement, to investigate.

"But 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."

Countdown season 1 is available to stream now on Prime Video.