Alongside family, theSupernaturalcharacters are the heart of this show. Primary or secondary, they all have an equal importance in helping make this fantasy series one of the best and most loved of its kind. There are many reasons why it went on to becomeThe CW’s longest-running sci-fi TV show and many that are helping keep it alive even four years after its end in 2020.
Supernaturalfans will know thatsupporting characters don’t tend to survivefor more than a few seasons at best. While death is far from definitive inSPN, it creeps up in almost every episode. In fact, just 6 out of the show’s 327 episodes do not involve a death of some kind. But whether they’re around for 1 episode or 300, the people, monsters, and heavenly beings of SPN are what make it so special, and their stories are all unique.Fifteen seasons of a TV show allow for anything to happen to a character, both good and bad, leaving plenty of room for exploration and ongoing development to show the audience who they are and who they can become.Supernaturaldid a fantastic job when it came to introducing its audiences to a wide range of versatile and completely unique beings, and it gave them all a chance to grow into some of the show’s most memorable additions. From Angels, Prophets, the King of Hell, and even Lucifer, these ten individuals went through quite the journey as characters onSupernatural.
Supernatural
10Dean Winchester
Played by Jensen Ackles
Sam and Dean’s emotional beginningopened the show in the pilot episode back in 2005. Their origin story was a focal point of the first couple of seasons, and as time went on, fans got to see a little further into the lives of the Winchester brothers before they became the world’s best hunters.
However, both boys had very different memories and experiences as kids. In Dean’s case, his goal had always been protecting his younger brother. That never changed, and while his love and care for his brother was always a fan favorite aspect, he essentially ended the series as the same man he was in the beginning. He went through some hellish experiences that would mentally incapacitate someone not inclined toward the Winchester way of life, but he never really changed from his experiences. He remained mad at the world and continued taking his anger out on any evil creature he could find.That said, letting his brother go and finally allowing himself to rest were promising steps in the right direction. It just took a decade and a half for him to do so.
9Kevin Tran
Played by Osric Chau
Kevin Tran’s story is one of comedy and downright heartbreak. There’s not really an in-between for his character. He began as a college student thrown into the world of the supernatural with the Winchester boys when his time to become the next prophet was suddenly thrust upon him.
A bright kid with a brighter future, Kevin became one of the boys' best allies throughout seasons 8 and 9. He may not have always been a keen participant, but his knowledge, skills, and personality made him one of the best temporaryadditions toSupernatural’s supporting cast.He had a tough time, thrown into his new life at the deep end, but he became a close ally to Sam and Dean. When his death came out of nowhere in season 9’s"Holy Terror,“it hurt, coming as quite a shock to viewers with how it happened. He appeared a few times as a ghost before the series ended. After a final farewell to the boys and the show, his story ended somewhat open-ended as a spirit wandering the Earth.
Played by Mark Pellegrino
There aren’t many occasions when a personcan proudly say, “I like the devil.“and get away with it without garnering some strange looks. But it’s a given inSupernatural, thanks to the character’s development throughout his appearances between seasons 5 and 15.
Lucifer went through many stages as a character during his time on screen. First introduced at the beginning of season 5, he progressed into much more over the years. He provided some comedic relief in an otherwise predominantly noir-toned show, was an unwaveringly evil villain at times, always willing to cause mayhem, mischief, and complete heartbreak for the Winchester boys, and always had the audience unable to guess his next move.Love him or hate him,Supernaturalwould have been very different without him in the earlier releases, and the acclaimed fifth season wouldn’t have been the success story it became.
Played by Richard Speight Jr.
Gabriel’s story came to an emotional end in season 5 when it appeared he’d been killed by his brother, Lucifer. But it would come as an unexpected shock in season 13 when it was revealed that he’d been alive the whole time, held hostage by one of the Princes of Hell, Asmodeus.
Gabriel started hisSupernaturaljourney as a Trickster in the fan-favorite season 2 episode"Tall Tales.“From there and throughout the earlier seasons, his character progressed, and his backstory was explored. Revealed to be an Archangel and not a Trickster at all, Gabriel went from being a funny supporting addition to a random episode in season 2 to someone who had quite a memorable role until his “death” three years later. His personality was evident from the get-go:a fun-loving, troublemaking character who lived up to the Trickster name, but he became so much more, and his death hit fans hard. By the time he returned in the thirteenth season, he’d grown from amischievous monster of the weekto someone willing to sacrifice his life for his friends. If that’s not character growth, then what is?
6Chuck Shurley/God
Played by Rob Benedict
Supernatural’s meta episodes are some of the bestof the show. There are plenty of them, and they quickly became a big part of why this series' uniqueness resonated among fans. Given the typical dark tone of the show, a bit of comedic relief was occasionally needed and always welcomed.
In season 4, an episode entitled"The Monster at the End of This Book"was released that introduced audiences to a man named Chuck Shurley, the author of a book series calledSupernaturalthat was essentially a word-for-word telling of the Winchester brother’s lives. Chuck first appeared as a failed writer, prophet, and a man who’d fallen on his luck, but as the show brought him back throughout the years and hints were teased, fans began to question whether a prophet was all he was. Season 11 revealed something many people had speculated about from his presence in season 5. Chuck was God, not a prophet, andhis downfall from a dorky and loveable writer to the show’s final villain had been teased in the title of his first appearance. He was the literal monster at the end ofSupernatural’s story.
Played by Ruth Connell
Later introduced as Crowley’s mom and a deceptively talented witch,Rowena came intoSupernaturalat the beginning of the tenth season as someone who looked set to cause more chaos for the Winchesters. Just like her son, she began as a new supporting character who would go on to be someone who helped make the show what it was in the later seasons.
Rowena’s character arc is one of growth. ManySupernaturalcharacters started as all-out villainsand became some of the most likable additions to the show.Ruth Connell’s iconic witchy personality is no exception on that front. After season 12, her appearances dwindled to just a couple every season, but it was always fun to see her on-screen as she brought a comedic tone every time, along with her spells and mischievous nature.
Played by Mark Sheppard
Crowley is one of thoseTV characters that fans originally hated, then loved to hate, slowly learned to love, and by the end of his time on the show, couldn’t imagine the series without him. Introduced as a crossroads demon, Crowley was soon revealed to be the top dog King of Hell.
Thanks to his often deceptive personality, he was someone audiences never knew whether to trust from the moment he first appeared in season 5. However, Crowley became one of the longest-surviving characters of the show, with a cheeky albeit untrustworthy aura that radiated through the screen. He well and truly lived up to the demon he was, withMark Sheppard’sportrayal being a big part of why his character became such a memorable part of the show.In the season 12 finale, Crowley sacrificed himself to help the boys, and this deceptive and lovably cheeky demon got the hero’s send-off he deserved.
3Sam Winchester
Played by Jared Padalecki
Unlike his brother, who never really changed asSupernaturalprogressed, Sam Winchester was a different story. He experienced the same upbringing as Dean, life on the road, moving from two-bit motel to two-bit motel under his father’s unique guidance, as well asgoing through some terrible experiencesas an adult. But he undeniably grew more as a person, learning from his life experiences.
The first impression audiences had of him was that of a college boy who resented his father’s controlling behavior and wanted nothing to do with the life he’d left behind. That all changed when Dean came crashing back into his life in 2005. Neither Sam nor Dean had an easy ride, but the youngest Winchester brother undoubtedly matured more than his elder with the unfortunate hand they’d been dealt.
2Bobby Singer
Played by Jim Beaver
When Bobby was first introduced in the season 1 finale, some viewers were unsure whether to trust him. However, he soon earned the trust of the entire fandom very quickly. As Bobby’s character was explored more as the seasons passed, it became evident just how much of a father figure he’d been to Sam and Dean during their childhoods, teenage years, and adulthood.
When John died at the beginning of season 2, Bobby became the closest thing the boys had to a father.A man who would do anything for those who needed him, no matter the circumstances, he was a friend to anyone and everyone and deeply cared for his loved ones.Supernaturalhas many a memorable quote, of which he spoke multiple, and he will forever be one of the show’s best characters. He died in season 7 in one of the most heartbreaking deaths of the entire series, but his character made a welcomed appearance at least once a season and was present on and off until the finale in 2020.
Played by Misha Collins
For a character who was only meant to appear in three episodes to become one of the most beloved parts of a series, Castiel’s character arc is perhaps the best of the show. He went from a robotic angel of heaven to someone with a pure heart, admiration, and love for humankind and its quirks.
It was heartwarming to see who he became. To watch his development throughout the years continue to grow was incredible writing and a testament to how much the character came to mean to fans by the end of his story. He started as a soldier who only cared about blindly following the rules from above to someone who would give his life for his family. While his story comes to a devastating end,Castiel will remain in the hearts ofSupernaturalfans as one of the best, most loved parts of the series.
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