What Happened to Supernatural (TV series)?
Supernatural was a long-running American dark fantasy television series that followed the Winchester brothers, Sam and Dean, as they hunted supernatural beings across the country. It aired for 15 seasons from 2005 to 2020, becoming a cultural phenomenon with a dedicated fanbase and inspiring multiple spin-off attempts and ongoing comic book series.
Quick Answer
The TV series 'Supernatural' concluded its 15-season run on November 19, 2020, after being broadcast on The WB and then The CW. While a prequel series, 'The Winchesters,' aired for one season in 2022-2023 before its cancellation, the franchise continues its legacy through new comic book series from Dynamite Entertainment, with issues releasing through August and September 2026. The main cast members, Jared Padalecki, Jensen Ackles, and Misha Collins, remain actively involved in fan conventions throughout 2026, and discussions about a potential future revival persist.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline17 events
Series Premiere on The WB
Supernatural, created by Eric Kripke, debuted on The WB network, introducing brothers Sam and Dean Winchester.
Series Moves to The CW
Following the merger of The WB and UPN, Supernatural continued its run on the newly formed network, The CW.
Misha Collins Joins as Castiel
Misha Collins was cast as the angel Castiel in the fourth season, a character that became central to the series' mythology and fan appeal.
Eric Kripke Steps Down as Showrunner
After the fifth season, which concluded his original planned storyline, series creator Eric Kripke departed as showrunner, though the series continued.
Supernatural: The Animation Released
A 22-episode anime adaptation covering early seasons and some original content was produced by Madhouse studio.
"Supernatural: Bloodlines" Backdoor Pilot Airs
An episode in Season 9 served as a backdoor pilot for a spin-off focusing on monster families in Chicago, but it was not picked up.
"Wayward Sisters" Backdoor Pilot Airs
Another attempted spin-off, centered on Sheriff Jody Mills and a group of female hunters, aired as a backdoor pilot in Season 13 but was also not greenlit.
Final Season Announced
Stars Jared Padalecki, Jensen Ackles, and Misha Collins announced that the fifteenth season would be the show's last.
Production Halted Due to COVID-19
Filming for the final season was temporarily shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, impacting the original finale schedule.
Series Finale "Carry On" Airs
After 15 seasons, the final episode of Supernatural, titled 'Carry On,' was broadcast, concluding the Winchester brothers' story.
Prequel Series "The Winchesters" Premieres
A prequel series focusing on the untold love story of Sam and Dean's parents, John and Mary, with Jensen Ackles narrating, debuted on The CW.
"The Winchesters" Canceled
The CW canceled 'The Winchesters' after one season, and efforts to find it a new home were unsuccessful.
New Supernatural Comic Series Launched
Dynamite Entertainment began publishing a new 10-issue comic series set between the first two seasons of the TV show, continuing the Winchester brothers' adventures.
Supernatural Convention in Las Vegas
Jensen Ackles and Misha Collins, among other cast members, attended 'The Road So Far… The Road Ahead' convention in Las Vegas, engaging with fans.
Dynamite Comic Series Concludes
The final issue (#10) of Dynamite Entertainment's 10-issue 'Supernatural' comic series is scheduled for release.
Supernatural: Wayward Special #1 Announced
Dynamite Entertainment announced a new one-shot comic, 'Supernatural: Wayward Special #1,' which will explore a storyline where Sam and Dean are driven apart.
Supernatural Convention in Chicago
Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki, and Misha Collins are confirmed to headline 'The Road So Far… The Road Ahead' convention in Chicago.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Supernatural, created by Eric Kripke, first premiered on The WB on September 13, 2005, before transitioning to The CW in 2006, where it remained for the majority of its run. The series 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 urban legends and folklore. Kripke initially envisioned a five-season arc, concluding with the main storyline involving Lucifer. However, due to its burgeoning popularity and consistent viewership, The CW opted to continue the series beyond Kripke's original plan, with new showrunners taking the helm.
Key turning points for the series included the introduction of the angel Castiel (Misha Collins) in Season 4, which significantly expanded the show's mythology and introduced Christian theology as a major element. The show's longevity, reaching 15 seasons and 327 episodes, made it the longest-running American live-action fantasy TV series. The decision to conclude the series was announced by its stars, Padalecki, Ackles, and Collins, in March 2019, with the final season set to air in 2020. Production on the final episodes was notably impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a hiatus and a rescheduled finale date.
Following the series finale on November 19, 2020, the 'Supernatural' universe attempted to expand with spin-offs. Previous backdoor pilots like 'Supernatural: Bloodlines' (2014) and 'Wayward Sisters' (2018) failed to get picked up. However, a prequel series, 'The Winchesters,' executive produced by Jensen Ackles and focusing on Sam and Dean's parents, John and Mary, premiered on The CW in October 2022. Despite having the most-watched series debut for The CW during the 2022–23 season, 'The Winchesters' was canceled after one season in May 2023, failing to find a new home after being shopped to other outlets.
As of July 5, 2026, no new live-action 'Supernatural' spin-offs are in active development. However, the franchise continues to thrive in other media. Dynamite Entertainment launched a new 10-issue 'Supernatural' comic series in October 2025, set between the first two seasons of the show, with its final issue scheduled for release on August 26, 2026. Furthermore, a new one-shot comic, 'Supernatural: Wayward Special #1,' is announced for September 2, 2026, which promises to explore a significant shift in Sam and Dean's relationship. The enduring popularity of the series is also evident in the continued success of fan conventions, with major cast members like Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki, and Misha Collins headlining events in Las Vegas (January 2026) and Chicago (November 2026). While the main actors have moved on to other projects, they have consistently expressed interest in a potential future revival, possibly as a limited series, indicating that the 'Supernatural' story might not be entirely over.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Supernatural (TV series) made different choices?