As one project nears its premiere, Jensen Ackles shares his disappointment at one failed Supernatural spinoff. Created by future The Boys showrunner Eric Kripke, The CW series followed in the footsteps of Fox's The X-Files and centered on brothers Sam and Dean Winchester, the latter of whom was played by Ackles, as they traveled around the country hunting down a variety of monsters. Co-led by Jared Padalecki, Supernatural ran for 13 successful seasons on The CW, and garnered a major following during its time.
With the show's consistent success, The CW made multiple attempts at Supernatural spinoffs, most of which wouldn't get further than their backdoor pilots, until the upcoming The Winchesters. Developed by Supernatural alum Robbie Thompson, the new show acts as an origin story for John Winchester and Mary Campbell, the duo who would give birth to the beloved monster-hunting brothers of the mainline show, as they cross paths and fall in love with one another as they search for their missing fathers and fall into the monster-hunting business. The Winchesters is gearing up to premiere in time for the Halloween season, though one creative behind the project wishes it wasn't the first Supernatural spinoff.
During the New York Comic-Con panel for The Winchesters, in which Screen Rant was in attendance of, Jensen Ackles opened up about the various attempts at Supernatural spinoffs. The star/producer expressed his disappointment at one particular failed spinoff, Wayward Sisters, believing it had potential for a full series. See what Ackles said below:
We had Wayward Sisters. I thought that should have really gotten a shot.
Supernatural's Multiple Failed Spinoffs Explained
As noted before, the success of the Supernatural franchise has seen The CW and those involved with the series make multiple attempts to produce spinoffs of the hit horror drama. The failed spinoff Ackles is referring to, Wayward Sisters, would've focused on Kim Rhodes' Sheriff Jody Mills, as well as potentially featuring Kathryn Newton's Claire Novak and Yadira Guevara-Prip's Kaia, with Andrew Dabb and Robert Berens developing, though it would ultimately not be picked up. Outside of Wayward Sisters, attempts were made for a Chicago-set Supernatural: Bloodlines spinoff, as well as a prequel series set in the Old West centered on Samuel Colt, which wasn't picked up after the mainline show's season 9, and a short-lived anime adaptation.
Though Ackles is disappointed by Wayward Sisters not moving forward, Supernatural fans can at least look forward to his involvement in The Winchesters, as he not only serves as executive producer, but also narrates the spinoff show. Additionally, with Ackles teasing ideas for a potential Supernatural revival in the future and gearing up to reunite with on-screen father Jeffrey Dean Morgan for The Boys season 4, those who fell in love with the show have a lot to look forward to with the franchise. In the meantime, audiences can look forward to The Winchesters premiering on The CW on October 11.