What role did Eric Dane play in Countdown? Details from the latest Prime Video thriller, explored

A prolific actor, Eric Dane, has worked in a number of movies and TV shows and is best known by fans for his famous role as Dr. Mark Sloan in the medical drama Grey's Anatomy.

Active since the 1990s, Eric Dane has appeared in shows like Saved by the Bell, Charmed, Euphoria, and recently, in Countdown. The actor has also worked in movies like X-Men: The Last Stand, Bad Boys: Ride or Die, and more.

In his most recent role in Countdown, Eric Dane plays the role of FBI Special Agent Nathan Blythe, who is the Special Agent in Charge of the task force that is created to find out the perpetrator behind the killing of a Department of Homeland Security officer.

Created by Derek Haas, Countdown is a crime drama that premiered on Amazon Prime Video on June 25, 2025, and focused on Jensen Ackles’ character, Detective Mark Meachum, who becomes a part of the covert task force and must uncover a broader conspiracy along with other agents.

Here’s a look at Eric Dane’s character in the show in detail.

Details about Eric Dane’s character in Countdown

Countdown begins with Homeland Security customs agent Robert Darden getting shot by cartel agents. In the wake of his murder, Eric Dane’s character, Nathan Blythe, creates a federal task force that includes some of the best agents from various organizations.

Throughout the series, Dane’s character, Nathan Blythe, serves as the perfect role model and leader for his agents and tries to help Ackles’ Meachum and other agents the best he can. Meachum even sees Blythe as the perfect mentor and leader. However, he also gets into a lot of danger.

In Episode 8 of Countdown, Blythe contacts Adtapov, who is a diplomat and tells him to turn over everything, as Volcheck has a bomb. Adtapov agrees and when Blythe goes over to meet him in an alley to get information, it is revealed that Adtapov is dead and Volcheck appears instead, stabbing Blythe and leaving him for dead. In Episode 9, Blythe struggles to get to his car and turns the sirens on for help before passing out. It is soon revealed that Blythe is in surgery and the knife fortunately missed the major arteries and did not cause significant damage.

Towards the end of the series, Blythe even tries to get Meachum to climb up the ladder as he sees a lot of potential in him. Blythe states that Meachum has the qualities of a leader and often uses humor to hide his insecurities. Therefore, Eric Dane’s character, Nathan Blythe, is someone who looks out for his agents and wants to stop terror at all costs.

Eric Dane talks about his role in Countdown

In an interview with Variety, Eric Dane talks about his shows like Euphoria and Countdown. When asked as to why he took the role, Dane states that he liked the material, as the writing had an “effortless pace” and the show had "personality." Further, it is set in Los Angeles and he could not say no to it.

The actor also commented that in real life, he is not like the authority figures he plays but the role comes “pretty naturally” to him. He stated,

"I’m not like that in real life. It’s not something I carry around with me. It’s just something I play. But that role seems to come pretty naturally to me. I try to play against the beats that 100 other actors might take. There should be an attempt at some humor. Every leader that I’ve respected has a great sense of humor."

In April this year, Dane announced publicly that he was battling ALS and co-star Jensen Ackles stated to Variety that he was “proud” of Dane for how he was “handling it with such grace [and] dignity.”

While there is no confirmed news about a Season 2 renewal of Countdown, Ackles has hoped that Haas will get an opportunity to carry the story forward and viewers will get a chance to meet Meachum, Blythe, and others again.

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