What Happened to Supernatural?

Supernatural, created by Eric Kripke, premiered on The WB in 2005 and continued its run on The CW for an impressive 15 seasons, becoming one of the longest-running fantasy series in U.S. television history. The show centered on brothers Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean Winchester (Jensen Ackles) as they battled demons, ghosts, monsters, and other supernatural threats, often drawing from American folklore and religious mythology. The series garnered a dedicated global fanbase throughout its run, celebrated for its blend of horror, humor, and deep emotional themes of family and sacrifice.

The decision to end the series after its fifteenth season was announced in March 2019, with the cast expressing their commitment to a proper conclusion. The final season, initially set to conclude in May 2020, faced production delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Filming resumed later that year, and the series finale, titled 'Carry On,' aired on November 19, 2020. The finale, which depicted Dean's death and Sam living a full life before joining his brother in heaven, proved divisive among fans but brought a definitive end to the brothers' on-screen journey.

Following the series finale, the 'Supernatural' universe attempted to expand with a prequel spin-off, 'The Winchesters,' which premiered on The CW in October 2022. Narrated by Jensen Ackles, the series explored the untold love story of Sam and Dean's parents, John and Mary Winchester. Despite a strong debut in viewership for The CW, the show was canceled after just one season in May 2023. The cancellation was largely attributed to significant network changes at The CW, which shifted its focus towards cheaper, unscripted programming, and the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike, which complicated efforts to find a new home for the series.

Despite the end of the television series and the cancellation of its spin-off, the 'Supernatural' franchise continues to thrive in other media and through its passionate fandom. In October 2025, Dynamite Entertainment launched a new 10-issue comic book series, set between seasons 1 and 2 of the original show, which is set to conclude in August 2026. This comic run has been successful, leading to further expansions. As of July 2026, Dynamite has announced new interconnected comic spin-offs, 'Supernatural: Dean Winchester' and 'Supernatural: Sam Winchester,' launching in October 2026, which will follow the brothers separately after an event in the 'Supernatural: Wayward Special' one-shot in September 2026.

In terms of streaming, 'Supernatural' left Netflix in December 2025 after more than a decade, moving to Prime Video and Peacock, where all 15 seasons are now available. The main cast members, Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles, have also moved on to other prominent projects. Padalecki starred in and executive produced 'Walker' on The CW until its end in 2024 and is developing a medical drama with CBS, with a decision expected in summer 2026. He also wrapped filming on his first Netflix movie, 'Guarding Stars,' in March 2026, with an anticipated late 2026 release. Ackles has been notably busy, appearing as Soldier Boy in 'The Boys' (concluding its final season in 2026) and is set to reprise the role in the 2027 prequel 'Vought Rising.' He has also appeared in 'Tracker' and 'Countdown.' Both actors, along with Misha Collins, frequently reunite at 'Supernatural' fan conventions, which continue to be held globally throughout 2026 and into 2027, demonstrating the enduring legacy and community of the show.