Monster-hunting brothers Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) are the faces of the long-running series Supernatural; however, another actor from the show almost played the role of Sam. With the remainder of season 15 expected to air in Fall 2020Supernatural is currently in its final season. The show has the honor of being the longest-running live-action fantasy TV series, and its success is due in no small part to the onscreen chemistry of its main characters: brothers Sam and Dean Winchester.

Although Padalecki had a number of roles before being cast as Sam (including playing Dean Forester on Gilmore Girls), Supernatural proved to be a career-defining role for the actor, who has found his niche in the fantasy/action genre. Following the show's conclusion, Padalecki is set to star in the Walker, Texas Ranger reboot, which is scheduled to premiere on The CW in January 2021. Like his character on Supernatural, Padalecki is set to play a charming hero with his own moral code on the new series.

Related: Supernatural: Every Time Sam Winchester Was Possessed

Padalecki brings a gentle and sweet energy to the role of Sam on Supernatural. Although he is actually the younger brother, Sam frequently showed more maturity than his older brother Dean and often acted as the voice of reason on the show. Dean is the more mischievous and rash brother, but he too has the capacity to be loving. Interestingly, Jensen Ackles, the actor who plays Dean, was originally approached by executive producer David Nutter to audition for a different role: Sam.

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In fact, both Padalecki and Ackles originally auditioned for the same part on Supernatural; however, after reading the script, Ackles expressed interest in playing the part of Dean, which he felt more of a connection to. If Ackles hadn't pursued the other role, however, there's no guarantee that he would have been offered the part — especially if the show's creators cast him as Sam instead of Padalecki. Either way, any change in the casting would have completely changed the dynamic of the series.

Supernatural today is associated with the fraternal duo, but the show was not originally intended to center on the brothers. In an interview with Chacago Tribune, series creator Eric Kripke revealed that the chemistry between Padalecki and Ackles shaped the direction of the show. Initially, Kripke envisioned Supernatural as focusing on the monster of the week, stating "in the beginning, Sam and Dean were an engine to get us in and out of different horror movies every week." After noticing the incredible chemistry between the two brothers in the early episodes, Kripke and his team redirected the show's content to focus more on family. This thematic shift set the tone of the rest of the series, which frequently used season-long plot arcs centered on familial-bonds. This is true more than ever in Supernatural season 15, which will likely end on an action-packed finale that sees the brothers facing-off against God one final time, together.

Next: Supernatural's Season 15 Finale Can Beat The Show's Original Ending