Jensen Ackles' latest TV show has been dominating streaming charts since its premiere on Amazon Prime Video, but his future with another TV franchise seems far more exciting. AfterSupernaturalended its runin 2020, Ackles seemingly stayed away from the limelight for quite some time.
He returned forThe Winchestersin 2022, but the show struggled to recreate its parent series' success. In recent years, however, the actor has experienced somewhat of a television resurgence. His leading role in Amazon’s recent hit action crime series continues his upward momentum and shows how promising his future will potentially be in the years ahead.
However, even though the Prime Video series seems to hold immense potential, it is hard not to see how Jensen Ackles has an even brighter future with another popular franchise. Time will tell what the future holds for the actor, but his return in an epic franchise could mark a defining moment in his acting career.
Countdown Is Doing Great On Prime Video, But Jensen Ackles' Best Future Is With The Boys Franchise
Countdown’s Critical Reception Hasn’t Been As Impressive As The Boys'
Among all the new releases on Prime Video, including movies,Countdownhas been among the most popular (based on data fromFlix Patrol). According to the data on June 19, 2025,Countdownonly ranks below Heads of State in the United States in the overall streaming charts and is above every other television show in Prime Video’s current top 10 TV rankings.
…As promising asCountdown’s future may seem, Jensen Ackles seems to have an even better franchise under his belt:The Boys.
The fact thatCountdownhas maintained these rankings for quite some time proves it is more than a one-week wonder and has the potential to grow an even bigger viewership with future episodes. However, as promising asCountdown’s future may seem, Jensen Ackles seems to have an even better franchise under his belt:The Boys.
Although Ackles did not appear asSoldier Boy inThe Boysuntil season 3, his character easily rose in the ranks to become a fan favorite.The Boysseason 3’s endingmarked the end of Soldier Boy’s initial run with the series. However, as reports have confirmed,Ackles' journey withThe Boysis far from over.
Aside From The Boys Season 5, Jensen Ackles Will Star In The Prequel, Vought Rising
Vought Rising Will Feature Him As One Of Its Two Leads
Several reports have confirmed that even though Soldier Boy was not a part ofThe Boys' season 4, he will have a significant role in the show’s final season.The Boysseason 4’s endingeven set up his returnin season 5 by hinting at how Homelander was thinking about waking him up from his cryogenic sleep.
With Jensen Ackles all set to become a series regular inThe Boysseason 5, it is hard not to look forward to the superhero series' final installment. What makes his return as Soldier Boy even more exciting is that it will set the stage for his upcomingThe Boysspin-off,Vought Rising.
Most details surrounding Soldier Boy’s return and his significance in the overarching story remain unknown. However, it would be interesting to see howThe Boys' final arc would raise even more complex moral questions surrounding the character’s past decisions, trauma, and legacy to get viewers even more hyped about his spin-off.
The Boysis one of Prime Video’s most valuable IPs. While it is possible thatCountdownwill eventually catch up and build a similar following and reputation, it seems far behindThe Boysin terms of reach so far. Not to mention,Countdown’s critical reception has been mediocre at best, whileThe Boyshas consistently landed in critics' good books.
Jensen Ackles' Role As Soldier Boy Will Be Even Bigger In The Boys' Prequel Show
The Spin-off Will Provide A Detailed Look At His Backstory
Jensen Ackles' return as a series regular inThe Boysseason 5 is exciting, butVought Risingwill feature him in an even more significant role. Serving as a prequel toThe Boys,Vought Risingwill unfold in the 1950s and walk through Soldier Boy and Stormfront’s early exploits as supes.
With Jensen Ackles' Soldier Boy as one of its two leads,Vought Risingwill seemingly add more depth to the supe’s existing lore and show viewers how he came to be known as one of the strongest and most admired supes of his time. With a post-World War II setting,Vought Risingmight even give a glimpse of Soldier Boy’s glory days from the war.
Vought Risingwill also likely feature Dr. Frederick Vought, who created Compound V and tested it on both Soldier Boy and Stormfront. As The Boys' lore suggests, Stormfront was his first test subject who later married him.
The Boysseason 4 barely seems to scratch the surface of Soldier Boy’s well-layered lore. Owing to its limited runtime,The Boysseason 5 will also likely focus less on the character’s past andmore on his present dynamic with his biological son, Homelander. This hints at howVought Risingwill serve as a true deep dive into Soldier Boy’s past, motivations, and the untold arcs of legacy.
How Countdown Season 2 Could Still Happen With Jensen Ackles' The Boys Spinoff
His Contract Allowed Him To Appear In Countdown
As reports (viaDeadline) reveal, Ackles entered a first-look deal with Amazon MGM Studios for Chaos Machine Prods. Chaos Machine Prods is the company he owns with his wife, Danneel Ackles, andVought Risingwas seemingly factored into the deals with the company to give Ackles the freedom to star in both.
Since most details of this deal remain unknown, it is unclear whetherCountdownseason 2 would officially be a part of the agreement. However, if it performs well on Prime Video, Ackles' return in the series would be possible in its second installment along with his appearance asThe Boysspin-off’s lead.
Regardless of what the future holds forCountdown,Jensen Ackles' return as Soldier Boy inThe Boysseason 5 andVought Risingshould be enough to cement his place as one of the major players in Amazon Prime Video’s lineup of incredible talent.
Countdown
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.
The Boys
Cast
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.
