Jensen Acklescontinues to have a very successful career, most recently with his new showCountdownon Amazon Prime Video, but I can’t believe he’s never played one character that feels almost too obvious.Ackles has had many brilliant roles, beginning with his breakout role onDays of Our Lives, but he’s best known for playing Dean Winchester onSupernatural.
That show lasted a staggering 15 seasons (and just as many years) and saw Ackles playing the part of the hot-shot, hilarious, and suave older brother. SinceSupernaturalended in 2020, Ackles has had a host of other roles, yetAckles has shockingly never played one character that feels like an absolute no-brainer for him—and I don’t mean Batman.
Countdown Is Great, But It Feels Familiar
After The First Few Episodes, It’s Clear This Show Is Familiar Territory For Jensen Ackles
Countdownis Jensen Ackles' latest project, with episodes currently releasing weekly on Amazon Prime Video.TheCountdowncast of charactersstars Ackles as Mark Meachum, an LAPD detective investigating the murder of a Homeland Security officer, alongside characters like Amber Oliveras (Jessica Camacho) and Nathan Blythe (Eric Dane), who are also agents in on the investigation.
While the show thus far has had a healthy mix of action, character development, and mystery,Countdown’sRotten Tomatoesscores suggest critics and audiences are heavily divided in their opinions on the show. Currently, the critic score is a rather low 36%, whereas the audience score is a respectable 72%.
Reviews offer myriad reasons for lower scores, ranging from viewers finding the plot dull to the claim that the show relies on clichés. Generally, though, comments on Ackles' performance (and the performances of the other leads) are favorable. It’s true that Ackles is great in the role, but therein lies the problem, in a way.
Jensen Ackles is brilliant inCountdown, but it doesn’t feel new; on the contrary, this feels like another iteration of the same type of character Ackles has frequently played since starring inSupernatural. In fact, in certain shots, even Mark Meachum’s style feels like a dead ringer for Dean Winchester.
In certain shots, even Mark Meachum’s style feels like a dead ringer for Dean Winchester.
It’s understandable for actors to play to their strengths—and Ackles obviously works brilliantly as a leading hero in an action/thriller show—but it’s also true that, while we’ve seen this type of character from Ackles multiple times,there’s a very obvious character type Ackles has never played that would be a perfect (and celebrated) fit for him.
A Leading Role In A Rom-Com Feels Like Such A Natural Fit For Jensen Ackles
Shockingly,Jensen Ackles has never played the lead in a romantic comedy; in fact, he’s barely appeared in romantic shows or movies at all. It isn’t necessarily out of the ordinary for an actor to predominantly work within one genre, yet this absence in Ackles' filmography is surprising for a number of reasons.
For one, were Ackles to star in a romantic comedy, it would surely be an instant hit. Ackles already has a designated fanbase, and while a good bit of that comprises audiences who simply love Ackles' talent and the roles he’s been in, there are a fair number of Ackles fans who consider him a major heartthrob.
Were Ackles to star in a romantic comedy, it would surely be an instant hit.
What’s more,Ackles has more than proven his ability to play this type of character successfully.Supernaturalis far from a love story (at least in terms of romantic love; familial love is a significant part of the show), butDean’s love interests inSupernaturalmade it clear enough that Ackles is cut out for a rom-com role.
This is particularly true when it comes toSupernaturalcharacters like Lisa, with whom Dean had a significant romantic relationship. Given Ackles' ability to play such a role and knowing how beloved Ackles is by so many, a rom-com seems like a genuine no-brainer for the actor. Oddly, though, Ackles hasn’t even come close to a full-fledged rom-com movie role.
Few Jensen Ackles Characters Have Even Come Close
Ackles' Filmography Reveals Just How Far Off Ackles' Radar A Rom-Com Role Has Been
While there were certainly aspects of Dean Winchester as a character that made it easy to understand why Ackles has become known as a Hollywood heartthrob to many, the truth is,few of Ackles' characters have come much closer than that to being a rom-com lead. Arguably the closest was Ackles' role as Priestly inTen Inch Hero.
This movie is a rom-com, although it still doesn’t quite fit the bill for a rom-com starring Jensen Ackles as the lead. For one, Ackles is nearly unrecognizable in the movie, as his character has a very different aesthetic and personality than most other Jensen Ackles characters (and, notably, Ackles in real life as well).
Beyond that,Ten Inch Herowas released in 2007, meaning it’s been nearly 20 years since Ackles was in this rom-com. In the years since, many of Ackles' projects, such asSupernatural,The Boys, andCountdown, have been much more focused on action and ‘tough guy’ characters.
Could There Be A Reason Jensen Ackles Has Never Played A Rom-Com Lead?
Ackles' Comments About The Possibility Of A Rom-Com Role Are Illuminating
It seems obvious that there would be significant fanfare around Jensen Ackles playing a lead character in a rom-com, particularly within theSupernaturalfanbase, which makes it all the more curious that Ackles has never really taken on such a role. However,Ackles has made comments that suggest the real reason why he’s never been the lead in a rom-com.
Specifically, perCBR,Jensen Ackles reportedly shared the conditions under which he’d be open to a rom-com, stating,“As long as I’m getting to decapitate zombies doing a romantic comedy!“Ackles added:
“I’ve always been drawn to something post-apocalyptic. I think it’s always fun, something I can dig my teeth into. Obviously the superhero space, I’ve got my foot in the door with that, and I’m happy where that’s going. But yeah, I don’t know that aMarriage Story 2is on my radar right now.”
These comments were clearly made lightheartedly, but they do seem to reflect Ackles' true feelings about the possibility. It sounds, at the very least, like a rom-com would have to be the right kind of project for Ackles, as it’s so far outside his typical wheelhouse.
While that doesn’t mean a rom-com is never going to be in Ackles' future, it does make it seem somewhat unlikely. Even so, I remain shocked that Jensen Ackles has yet to be the lead in a romantic comedy, as that seems like such a natural fit for theCountdownstar.
Countdown
Cast
Countdown, released in 2025, follows LAPD detective Mark Meachum as he joins a secret task force composed of undercover agents from various law enforcement branches. Following the murder of a Department of Homeland Security officer, they uncover a deep conspiracy, igniting a time-sensitive mission to protect millions.
Supernatural
Supernatural is a television series that follows brothers Sam and Dean Winchester, who were raised by their father to hunt and combat supernatural entities after losing their mother to a demonic force. Traversing the American landscape in their ‘67 Chevy Impala, they face numerous paranormal threats.
The Boys
The Boys is a gritty and subversive take on the superhero genre, focusing on a group of vigilantes who confront powerful superheroes abusing their abilities, exploring themes of corruption and moral ambiguity in a world where heroes are not always what they seem.
Ten Inch Hero
Ten Inch Hero is a 2007 romantic comedy-drama directed by David Mackay. The film centers around a quirky group of friends working at a sandwich shop, each navigating their personal struggles and relationships. Starring Elisabeth Harnois, Clea DuVall, and Jensen Ackles, the narrative intertwines their unique stories, exploring themes of love, self-discovery, and the quest for personal fulfillment within the eclectic San Diego community.
