“Die Hard Meets 24” How Showrunner Derek Haas Describes ‘Countdown’ His New TV Crime Drama

Countdown a heart-stopping police procedural TV series created by Derek Haas (Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D.) that offers a refreshing perspective on the traditional cop crime genre that has often fallen into a pattern of complacency.

The crime drama is set in Los Angeles and focuses on a secret task force charged with finding the murderer of a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officer who is gunned down in broad daylight. But that’s only the beginning. Countdown stars Jensen Ackles as LAPD detective Mark Meachum, Eric Dane as Nathan Blythe and Jessica Camacho as Amber Oliveras.

Derek Haas spoke with Creative Screenwriting Magazine about his approach to writing original crime shows and creating engaging characters in television.

Originality In Police Procedurals: Redefining the Cop Crime Genre

For Haas, it all begins with a big idea that hooks TV audiences. “Is there a concept that is big enough, powerful enough, and sustainable enough that would generate ,not just one season of television, but multiple seasons?”

Derek Haas

Haas describes the heart of the show as, “What if we created a task force that brings together the best of the best? It’s not just about one department or one city; it’s about the collaboration that happens when various agencies come together for a singular goal.”

This concept deviates from the more typical law enforcement series that confine characters to a single city or department. The show brings together characters with different backgrounds, skill sets, and perspectives, allowing for distinctive, multi-facted storytelling that keeps audiences guessing.

“The goal is to create a show that entertains while also bringing a lightness back into the genre,” Haas adds.

Clarity and Conciseness of the Concept

Haas emphasizes the importance of a clear and concise concept when pitching his shows. He states, “The essence of storytelling is clarity. If your audience doesn’t understand your premise, they won’t invest in your characters.” His focus on simplicity enables the exploration of complex themes without overwhelming the audience.

Each episode presents a new case that the task force must tackle in addition to the escalating season arc, allowing for a blend of episodic and overarching series stories to keep audiences watching.

Relatability: Characters that Connect

After he pitches the big idea of Countdown, Derek Haas pitches the characters and their arcs.

One of the defining features of Countdown is its relatable characters. “We need characters who feel like real people, with real problems. and real relationships,” he explains.

The ensemble cast in Countdown encompasses individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and personalities. This diversity allows for a range of perspectives on the challenges faced by law enforcement officers. “In this show, the characters learn from each other and they grow,” Haas adds. “Their differences create rich storytelling opportunities that keep the audience engaged.”

By showcasing characters who grapple with their own personal demons, while also working together professionally, the series invites viewers to empathize and travel with them. Rather than falling into clichéd depictions of brooding detectives late at night or emotionally-scarred officers who became jaded by the system, the characters in Countdown possess humor, camaraderie, and sparring to keep things interesting.

Amber Oliveras (Jessica Camacho) and Mark Meachum (Jensen Ackles) Photo by Elizabthe Morris

Entertainment Value: Balancing Humor and Drama

One of the challenges facing any successful television series is finding the right balance between entertainment and dramatic storylines. While Countdown uses humor as a critical tool in its storytelling, it never sacrifices the stakes or emotional weight of its storylines for cheap gags.

Haas draws creative inspiration from classic ’80s action films that masterfully blended action, comedy, and emotional moments—Die Hard, Crimson Tide, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Romancing the Stone, and Lethal Weapon being prime examples.

“I grew up loving those fun, surprising action movies,” Haas recalls. “I wanted to bring that excitement and thrill back to television, where you’re on the edge of your seat, but also laughing and having a rollicking good time,” he recalls.

This balance is critical to the show’s appeal in a climate where many crime dramas have become overly serious and bleak. “If we can make people laugh, then we’re doing something right,” claims Haas.

Constructing the Narrative: Intuitive Storybuilding

Derek Haas approaches the narrative structure in Countdown both consciously and intuitively.

“When writing, it’s vital to surprise the audience, but also to stay within the confines of what they know and expect,” he adds. He acknowledges the traditional elements of police procedurals while also challenging himself to innovate and excite audiences. And the surprises can’t be cheap. You can’t shock for the sake of shocking nor can you can’t fall into all to familiar comfort tropes.

Haas believes in the importance of maintaining suspense without relying on gimmicks or shocks. “It’s not just about the big twist at the end of the episode; it’s about creating moments that keep the audience engaged throughout,” he emphasizes. “You want to hit that sweet spot between predictability and surprise.”

Each episode provides a satisfying resolution while also leaving room for character exploration and growth.

The Emotional Backbone: Themes of Family and Teamwork

At its core, Countdown centers around themes of found family and teamwork. The dynamics within the task force often mirror those of a family unit, fostering a sense of belonging despite their diverse backgrounds. Haas notes, “With this group, they are learning to rely on each other, to become a true team, and to support one another emotionally as well as professionally.”

By showcasing the bonds formed between the characters, the distinguishes elevates itself above the typical procedural format. The task force’s interactions are filled with both tension and affection, encouraging viewers to invest emotionally in their growth. Whether celebrating successes or supporting one another through challenges, the characters illustrate the value of collaboration and trust.

Building Tension: Create, Peak and Release

Tension is an essential component of crime dramas as the team works tirelessly to solve or prevent a crime. Haas shares his insights into how he weaves this technique into Countdown. “You can’t just have characters go from point A to point B. You’ve got to have the goal to get to point B, and then throw curveballs C, D, E, F, G at them, but they still have to get to point B.”

Haas quotes one of his favorite movies as an example: Raiders Of The Lost Ark. Most movies would stop at the plot of Indy Jones fighting the Nazis. Instead, there are multiple sources of tension appearing and escalating all the time. That said, it’s imperative the audience also has a moment to breathe and process.

I  think of writing like waves crashing on a beach. It’ll be a little wave, then another little wave, and then then this big wave crashing. And then it retreats – Derek Haas

The Pilot Episode – The Hardest To Write

Haas notes the importance of the pilot episode in any television series. It must perform a lot of efficient and rapid heavy lifting.

“It’s the hardest episode to write on any show because you have to introduce characters very quickly, but also create a plot that keeps everyone around, but also has an engine that’s going to generate the rest of the episode and season,” he shares.

Haas’ approach is to introduce the team to each other, give each a little backstory, and also hints of of bad blood or negative history between the characters. The audience isn’t immediately privy to the complete conflict between characters. Countdown focus on the importance of a team overlooking these differences in service to the mission.

Furthermore, Meacham and Oliveras secretly know things about each other which may ignite a conflict later in the series.

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by Staff Writer

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