It’s pretty crazy that Supernatural is entering its 14th season, considering that creator Eric Kripke was unsure the series would survive to even see a sophomore outing. Kripke’s story about two brothers continuing their family business of “saving people” and “hunting things” unfolded over the course of five years. At that point, feeling that he had given the Winchesters the beginning, middle and end that they deserved, Kripke stepped down as showrunner.
While the show certainly suffered some growing pains in the wake of Kripke’s departure, writers have continued to find new ways to surprise the audience. The Winchesters have both been resurrected more than once. They have spent quality time with God and fought Lucifer himself. Sam and Dean have traveled to alternate dimensions, visited Heaven and Hell, and even appeared in cartoon form.
Supernatural has definitely had its share of ups and downs over the years, but one thing has remained consistent: Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki. The actors never appear to grow tired of portraying Dean and Sam. They seem to enjoy making the show just as much as fans love watching it. Regardless of how many beloved characters come and go over the years, as long as Sam and Dean are around, viewers will keep their weekly appointment with the Winchesters.
Like the brothers themselves, Supernatural has defied expectations time and time again, enduring longer than anyone imagined. The series has made us all laugh, cry, and cringe, but most fans will remain with the show until it ends.
Here are 25 Behind-The-Scenes Photos From Supernatural That Change Everything.
Goofing around with Gabriel
At this point, several Supernatural stars have taken a turn or two in the director’s chair. Jensen Ackles, Misha Collins, and Richard Speight Jr. have all helmed episodes of the series. Working behind the camera is very different than acting in front of it, but the latter likely gives a great deal of insight into the former.
Although his character, Gabriel, lost his life in the 5th season, Speight Jr. returned in season 11, but this time as a director. He has helmed several episodes since, and much to the delight of fans, eventually also reappeared as Gabriel.
Catching up on the news
This image shows Ackles and Padalecki posing for a photo while catching up on the news – the Weekly World News, that is.
Although the tabloid featured stories that were generally untrue, it would be a fine place for Sam and Dean to pick up some new cases.
In fact, if you choose to believe the show’s mythology, perhaps Weekly World News is just in the know, while the rest of us are simply in denial about the world around us. Maybe Bat Boy is alive and well out there somewhere after all.
Meeting Scooby-Doo
Sam and Dean have seen a lot over the years. They’ve been to Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory. The Winchesters even visited an alternate reality where their names were Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles, and they were starring in a show called Supernatural.
Season 13 still found ways to cover new ground by having the brothers and Cas sucked into the cartoon world of Scooby-Doo. Like many other Supernatural stunts, this proved to be something that no other show could pull off quite so well.
“Scoobynatural” is already a classic.
Here is an image of Jensen and Jared doing voiceover work in preparation for the animated episode.
Angel and demon bffs
Castiel (Misha Collins) has become so integral to Supernatural that it’s difficult to remember that he wasn’t there from the beginning. The show had a brilliant paradigm shift in season 4 with the reveal of angels and Cas has been a fan favorite ever since.
Another major staple who was a later addition is Crowley (Mark Sheppard), who first appeared in season 5. Supernatural has shown both angels and demons to be morally ambiguous.
Crowley and Cas have been frenemies, sometimes pitted against one another, but other times, working towards the same goal. However, this photo clearly shows two pals just hanging out.
Makeup break
Few things break the spell of cinematic trickery like seeing an actor going through the makeup process. Of course, this is nothing compared to what the monsters on the show have to deal with.
Here is Padalecki getting a bit of a touch up between takes in Dean’s beloved “Baby.”
It’s unclear what’s even going on with the person in the backseat.
Ackles and Padalecki may not have to go through the same arduous process as the supernatural creatures on the show, but Sam and Dean are regularly getting injured. Every single bruise has to be made to look believable - although occasionally real injuries have happened offscreen and been incorporated into the story.
The pie prank
Word on the Supernatural set has always been that Jared and Jensen love pranks. Apparently a fair bit of hazing goes on behind-the-scenes. Whether it’s putting leftover fish under someone’s car seats, dumping cold water on one another, or paying off a bet with buckets of coins, these guys know how to have fun during work hours.
This is a picture of Collins directing an episode - after getting a pie to the face from both Ackles and Padalecki.
Collins, having been a later addition to the team, got the worst of these pranks - at least until Alexander Calvert was cast as Jack.
Castiel and Metatron
Curtis Armstrong’s Metatron didn’t appear until the show’s 8th season. This angel was once the Scribe of God, but lost his way after his boss disappeared. After that, he kind of became a straight up villain.
Although Cas and Metatron weren’t exactly besties on the show, Collins and Armstrong seem fine when the cameras stop rolling. Like the rest of the cast, they appear to get along.
These behind-the-scenes images go a long way in explaining how the actors have wound up involved with the show for so long. There are shenanigans, but also real camaraderie between them.
Fan Fiction BTS
Reaching 200 episodes is a milestone that few shows ever achieve, so Supernatural made its 100th episode a loving ode to the fans who’ve kept the series going all these years. “Fan Fiction” features a high school musical based on the works of Chuck Shurley, aka Sam and Dean’s lives.
Supernatural: The Musical was a celebration of the show’s history, but also the generous love from viewers, even calling out fan-favorite pairings. The episode made a point of showcasing that there are many interpretations to the series and that there is nothing wrong with that. This image is behind-the-scenes of that landmark installment.
A not-so-private moment
When it comes to Supernatural romance, Dean is usually the one who gets lucky. However, in season 2 episode “Heart”, Sam met a woman that he was very much into. There was just one issue with Madison: she was a werewolf. Sadly, their connection was quite brief and Sam was forced to end her life.
Sam and Madison spent some time getting to know each other and grew rather close in a short time. However, this behind-the-scenes image shows that their intimate moments weren’t so private after all.
Held captive by camera
Sam and Dean are often in peril. In fact, by this point, the stakes have kind of disappeared as far as their safety is concerned.
Although both brothers have have lost their lives and returned, it does seem that Sam finds himself in more sticky situations than Dean.
Thankfully, the elder Winchester is always there to help him out. That’s what big brothers are for, right?
This image shows Sam being held captive. However, the camera included in the shot certainly detracts from the movie magic of it all.
All smiles
Despite all the behind-the-scenes hijinks, there aren’t too many smiles when when the actors are actually in character. This makes sense, considering the guys are regularly dealing with the Apocalypse. However, this photo of Jensen and Jared with costar Jim Beaver has all three actors smiling.
It seems like there is a family dynamic between these guys, whether the cameras are rolling or not.
Beaver portrayed Sam and Dean’s beloved surrogate father, Bobby Singer. Although he has made appearances since his tragic season 7 exit, fans still miss him.
Getting some measurements
Sometimes glimpsing what goes on behind-the-scenes can add to the respect that you have for a particular actor. For example, those steamy love scenes between Buffy and Angel on BtVS are made all the more impressive by the knowledge that Sarah Michelle Gellar and David Boreanaz were pranking each other the entire time.
Jensen Ackles is obviously doing some fine acting work here, all while someone takes measurements over his head.
Watching the gag reel from any Supernatural season proves that there are a lot of laughs on set, but this photo further illustrates that actors can give a scene their all, regardless of what is going on around them.
Jensen directing
Working on a series as long as Jensen Ackles has been on Supernatural has likely prepared the actor for directing as well. It probably helps that he not only has experience as an actor, but that he also has a close relationship with his costars.
Ackles helmed his first episode back in season 6 and has since directed several more.
This image shows Ackles in action as director. Considering how often he is on camera, it must be incredibly time consuming for him to work behind-the-scenes as well. However, Ackles obviously enjoys the process enough to continue doing it.
Filming “Home”
This photo is from the filming of season 1 episode, “Home”, in which Mary’s ghost sacrifices herself to save her boys. The series has come so far since its freshman season.
It is truly astonishing that Supernatural has been airing since 2005. It is the CW’s longest running series, outlasting this incarnation of the network - WB and UPN merged to form the CW in 2006. Fans were concerned that the upcoming 14th season will be the show’s last, because episode 300 will air. Ackles and Padaelcki had both previously stated that this would be an excellent goal to work towards.
However, there has been no official evidence that this season will be the end for the Winchesters.
Jared Padalecki and his stunt double
This is a photo of Jared Padalecki with the guy who has been making him look awesome since the show’s first season: his stunt double, Mike Carpenter.
Stunt performers are probably the most underrated people in Hollywood.
Sure, CGI can work wonders, but without stunt doubles, there would be a whole lot less action in action sequences.
It’s crazy that there is still no Oscar category for the men and women putting their lives on the line for our entertainment. At least Padalecki appreciates Carpenter. After all, they have been working together for thirteen years and counting.
Wig take
It has already been established that these actors love to goof around around on set. Ackles and Padalecki are notorious for doing everything they can to elicit inappropriate giggles from cast and crew. They have been known to prank regulars and guests stars alike.
Each season features a gag reel showcasing how much fun these guys have making the show. This image is from one of those gag reels and features Ackles wearing a wig while attempting to do a serious take. Obviously, it was a struggle for anyone to keep a straight face.
Wendigo taking a break
Some Supernatural creatures have to sit through a more arduous makeup process than others and the Wendigo had to look like a monster from head to toe. It’s understandable that the guy might need a siesta between takes.
Here the fearsome creature sits, giving the peace sign while taking a moment to himself.
There are many monsters appearing on Supernatural but none of them look quite this chill when the cameras are rolling.
As the series went on, the mythology became far more complex, leading to more serialized storytelling overall and far fewer monsters of the week. The Wendigo was from a simpler time that the Winchesters themselves have recalled fondly.
Misha Collins wears a Sam Winchester t-shirt
Ackles and Padalecki have always given Misha Collins a bit of a good-natured hard time on set, so his directorial debut was no different. The actor helmed season 9 episode, “Mother’s Little Helper”, and received a pie to the face from both actors as his reward for a job well done.
Collins, who has a good sense of humor as well, was wearing a special shirt on that fateful day.
A fan had sent him a t-shirt featuring Padalecki and the director chose to don it.
It wound up being a brilliant idea, since he ended up needing a spare shirt anyway after the pie incident.
Dressed as each other’s characters
One of the most hilarious moments from the season 10 gag real is this image of Collins, Ackles, and Padalecki dressing up as one another’s characters.
Collins is playing the part of Dean, doing his best to imitate Jensen’s trademark tough guy look. Padalecki is dressed as Castiel and is sitting in an effort to poke fun at the fairly significant height difference between the two actors. Ackles is portraying Sam and giving the camera his best confused face.
They all appear to be having a blast making fun of each other, as usual.
Charlie, Cas, and Rowena
In a show known for not always necessarily being kind to its female characters, Charlie Bradbury and Rowena MacLeod have stood out as two of the best. They were both late additions to the show, with Charlie showing up in season 7 and Rowena making her debut in season 10.
Although we tragically lost both of these amazing female characters, at least they’ve both made their return in some form.
Here is a photo of Felicia Day and Ruth Connell hanging out with Misha Collins, all posing for the camera.
