Eric Dane's role as Nathan Blythe, head of the secret task force, in Countdown season 1 has been one of the highlights of the Prime Video series. Written and created by Derek Haas, the crime drama series premiered on June 25, 2025, and is set to conclude its 13-episode run on September 3, 2025.Blythe's special task force plays a game of cat-and-mouse with Volchek to stop the terrorist from unleashing a deadly attack on the United States. The show's episode 8, The Nail in the Chair, ends on a major cliffhanger, with Eric Dane's character being stabbed by Volchek.The episode's official synopsis, as per Rotten Tomatoes, reads:"Following the deaths of the Belarusian consulate agents, Meachum arrives to examine the carnage and realizes that Volchek was behind the explosion."Eric Dane's character suffers a major blow in Countdown season 1 episode 8Eric Dane as seen in Countdown episode 8 (Image via Prime Video)Countdown season 1 episode 8 was directed by Haas and written by Nina Lopez-Corrado. It was released on July 30, 2025. In the episode's climax, Blythe sets up a meeting with Ambassador Iosif Astapov, from the Belarusian consulate, to get crucial information on Volchek before he unleashes a dirty bomb in Los Angeles.Blythe arrives at the deserted alley to find Astapov dead inside his car. As he backs away, Volchek appears out of nowhere and stabs him before fleeing the crime scene. Bogdan Yasinski, who plays the antagonist Borys Volchek, told Collider in an interview dated July 30, 2025, that his character's attack on Blythe might have been premeditated. He said:"He must’ve been tracking them, following somehow. He’s got a whole network and he’s got some capital behind him. He can do some stuff, he can hire (people), all kinds of things. I think this is his chance to not only take revenge on this threat, but also play that next-level chess move: whoever I can get."He continued: "Maybe he didn’t know it was going to be Blythe, but I think that’s a good BOGO deal. If you’re going to be in that alley, that’s a solid offer."Moreover, Blythe is not confirmed to be dead yet, and his fate hangs in the balance until episode 9. Fans will learn on August 6, 2025, whether Blythe survives the attack or becomes the second member of the task force to lose his life in the line of duty, following Drew's death in episode 4. Showrunner Haas reflected on Blythe's future by telling TV Insider on July 30, 2025:"You’re going to see in the first two minutes (of Episode 9) the strength and resilience of a guy who obviously had a military background, has been on multiple task forces, has gone through FBI training, and it’s going to take every ounce of his strength to even try to put up a red flare for help."Eric Dane's acting career took off in 2006 View this post on Instagram Instagram PostEric Dane was born in San Francisco, California on November 9, 1972. His first acting performance was an uncredited role in Saved by the Bell in 1991, and he followed it up by playing Jimmy Warren in the series Renegade the next year.He made his breakthrough in 2006 by starring as Dr. Mark Sloan or 'McSteamy' in Shonda Rhimes' long-running medical drama series Grey's Anatomy. He is also known for playing Jason Dean in Charmed, Cal Jacobs in Euphoria, and Tom Chandler in The Last Ship. Dane has also had guest starring roles in Roseanne, Married... with Children, Private Practice, The Wonder Years, etc.Furthermore, Eric Dane has acted in the films X-Men: The Last Stand, Marley & Me, American Carnage, Americana, Bad Boys: Ride or Die, and Burlesque, to name a few.Watch all episodes of Countdown season 1 exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.