Jensen Ackles Filming New Serial Killer Drama for Prime Video’s ‘Rules of Prey’

voice film logo squareArthur S. Poe
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Jensen Ackles has established himself as a leading figure in genre television, first gaining fame through his long-standing role on ‘Supernatural’ and more recently captivating audiences as Soldier Boy in ‘The Boys.’ His impressive track record means that any sighting of him on a new set sparks immediate interest, even before official announcements are made.

Ackles’ latest venture faced an unexpected end earlier this year when Prime Video canceled his crime drama ‘Countdown’ after just one season. This cancellation left fans curious about what the talented actor would pursue next, given his ability to excel in both ensemble action series and character-driven crime dramas.

It seems that question may have been answered, as Ackles was reportedly seen filming a new mystery project this week, described as a “serial killer drama.” Reports indicate that he has been spotted in Toronto working on a new Prime Video series believed to be ‘Rules of Prey,’ an adaptation of John Sandford’s acclaimed crime novel series.

If the reports are accurate, Ackles would take on the role of Lucas Davenport, allowing him to lead a series based on well-known source material rather than an original concept. Sandford’s ‘Prey’ novels have garnered a significant following since ‘Rules of Prey’ was first published in 1989, chronicling Davenport’s journey as he tackles politically sensitive and often gruesome cases for the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

The character has appeared in numerous bestselling installments over the years, providing a wealth of material for a television adaptation to draw from if the series continues beyond its initial season. This built-in readership offers a level of brand recognition that ‘Countdown’ lacked upon its debut.

For now, fans will need to wait for official confirmation from Prime Video before the casting becomes more than speculation based on set sightings and online chatter. Neither Ackles nor Prime Video has publicly confirmed his involvement in the project at this time.

‘Countdown’ featured Ackles as LAPD detective Mark Meachum, who is recruited into a secret task force after a Department of Homeland Security officer is murdered in broad daylight. The series was created by Derek Haas, who discussed the ambitious stakes of the show in an Entertainment Weekly cover story published over the summer.

“You want the stakes to be big. I’d done a lot of reading about what kind of things task forces are put together to thwart, so I thought: What’s bigger than a whole city being in jeopardy?” Haas told Entertainment Weekly about developing the series. Despite debuting to positive reception and ranking well within Nielsen’s charts over the summer, the show was ultimately canceled after one season alongside Daniel Dae Kim’s spy thriller ‘Butterfly.’

If the speculation about ‘Rules of Prey’ proves true, this wouldn’t be Ackles’ first collaboration with the streaming service. Beyond ‘Countdown,’ he has become a familiar face on Prime Video through his role as Soldier Boy in ‘The Boys,’ a character he is set to reprise in the upcoming prequel series ‘Vought Rising.’

Ackles and his wife Danneel also operate the production company Chaos Machine, which has maintained a first-look deal with Amazon MGM Studios in recent years. This ongoing relationship with the studio makes another Prime Video series a logical next step for the actor, regardless of whether the current rumors are accurate.

Given the rapid spread of speculation since the filming sighting emerged, it likely won’t be long before more concrete details about the project are revealed. Whether this turns out to be the confirmed ‘Rules of Prey’ adaptation or not, it’s clear Ackles is not slowing down after the early cancellation of ‘Countdown.’

For fans who have followed his journey from ‘Supernatural’ to ‘The Boys,’ the prospect of him leading a crime thriller rooted in such rich source material is undoubtedly thrilling.

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