Supernatural is a dark fantasy drama series from America, masterminded by Eric Kripke. It premiered on The WB network on September 13, 2005, and later became part of the lineup of The CW, The WB’s successor network. The narrative follows two brothers, Sam Winchester (Jared Padalecki) and Dean Winchester (Jensen Ackles). They travel the country battling demons, monsters, and other spectral entities. Continue reading to learn more about the Supernatural complete series below.

The show was produced by Warner Bros. Television in conjunction with Wonderland Sound and Vision. Alongside Kripke, other executive producers included McG, Robert Singer, Phil Sgriccia, and others. Kim Manners, a former executive producer and director, succumbed to lung cancer during the fourth season’s production.

Filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia, and its surroundings, Supernatural was in development for nearly a decade. After an unsuccessful series of pitches from Kripke, the pilot episode attracted approximately 5.69 million viewers.

The strong ratings of the initial four episodes led The WB to commission a full season. Kripke initially planned a three-season arc for the series, but he eventually extended it to five seasons.

The series’ main plot concluded at the end of the fifth season, after which Kripke left the showrunner position. However, the series persisted for an additional 10 seasons under new showrunners, including Sera Gamble and Robert Singer. By its eleventh season, Supernatural had become the longest-running American live-action fantasy TV series. The fifteenth season, also the series’ final one, premiered on October 10, 2019, and consisted of 20 episodes. The series wrapped up on November 19, 2020, after airing a total of 327 episodes.

Evolution of the Winchester Brothers in Supernatural Series

The plot of Supernatural revolves around the Winchester brothers, portrayed by Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki. As the brothers journey across the country, they combat various supernatural threats. Padalecki was drawn to his role due to his interest in horror series, like The X-Files and The Twilight Zone. He was also intrigued by the character of Sam. He saw Sam as a “reluctant hero” akin to Neo from The Matrix and Star Wars’ Luke Skywalker. Jensen Ackles found the character of Dean to be more interesting after reading the script. Originally, he was asked to audition for the role of Sam.

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Emergence of Key Players: The Role of Recurring Characters

Aside from the Winchester brothers, the show features recurring characters like John Winchester, portrayed by Jeffrey Dean Morgan, who is Sam and Dean’s father. After making an appearance in the pilot episode, John returns halfway through the first season and becomes a recurring character until his demise in the second season’s premiere episode. Other recurring characters include the demon Azazel and his unnamed daughter, introduced in the first season.

The concept of hunters was further expanded as the series progressed, leading to the introduction of many new characters, such as Bobby Singer (Jim Beaver), an old family friend of the Winchesters who becomes a father figure to them, and Jo and Ellen Harvelle, who own Harvelle’s Roadhouse, a bar frequented by hunters. The third season introduced Ruby, a demonic ex-witch who asserts to be an ally to the Winchesters.

In the fourth season, the writers introduced the angel Castiel, played by Misha Collins, along with other angelic characters. In the fifth season, Mark Pellegrino was introduced as the fallen archangel Lucifer. Season 7 introduced the character of Kevin Tran, a prophet who assists the Winchesters, and Charlie Bradbury, a tech-savvy geek.

Supernatural Character Deaths

To create a sense of jeopardy, the writers decided to kill off key characters. Executive producer John Shiban noted that the writers attempt to “come up with those moments, those twists and turns” that shock the audience. According to co-executive producer Ben Edlund, the end of the second season was a pivotal point for the series, as it was the first time the show had killed off a main character, Sam Winchester. However, this death was eventually undone when Dean made a pact with a crossroads demon to bring Sam back to life.

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In the course of the series, characters who were initially recurring or minor, eventually become part of the central narrative. This is the case of characters like Bobby Singer, portrayed by Jim Beaver, who becomes a sort of father figure for the Winchesters after the death of their father John.

Another example is the character of Castiel, an angel portrayed by Misha Collins. Cass is introduced in the 4th season and becomes a main ally of the Winchesters in the Supernatural complete series.

Supernatural Anatagonists

The series also saw the evolution of many antagonists who had intricate relationships with the protagonists. The demon Crowley, portrayed by Mark Sheppard, is introduced in the fifth season and goes from being a temporary ally to a main antagonist and eventually an anti-hero. He becomes a significant figure in the series, representing the unpredictability and often blurred moral lines in the supernatural world the Winchesters inhabit.

Ruby, a demon and former witch, and Bela Talbot, a self-interested thief, are introduced in the third season and play significant roles as questionable allies or enemies of the Winchesters. The addition of these strong female characters brought new dynamics and complications to the series, diversifying the relationships between characters.

Supernatural Creatures and Supernatural Things

Throughout the series, there is also a host of angels, demons, and other supernatural creatures that the Winchesters interact with. Characters like Azazel, the demon who killed the Winchesters’ mother, Uriel, a rogue angel, and Lucifer himself, all add to the depth and intrigue of the series. The introduction of these celestial and infernal beings expanded the show’s scope beyond urban legends and folklore, bringing in elements of biblical mythology and existential themes.

Supernatural, with its diverse array of characters, and the consistent development and progression of their relationships and narratives, created a compelling and multifaceted universe. This universe resonated with viewers and contributed to the series’ long-lasting success and enduring legacy. The growth and transformation of characters in response to the shifting landscape of threats and alliances creates a dynamic, engaging narrative that continues to captivate audiences, even beyond its conclusion.

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