Supernatural Cast (2005–2020)
The WB / The CW | Fantasy Horror | 15 Seasons | Created by Eric Kripke
Supernatural follows brothers Sam and Dean Winchester as they travel across America in a 1967 Chevrolet Impala, hunting demons, ghosts, monsters, and various supernatural threats. Created by Eric Kripke, the series premiered on The WB in September 2005 and moved to The CW when the networks merged. What began as a planned five-season story eventually expanded to 15 seasons, concluding in November 2020 as one of the longest-running genre series in American television history. The show blends mythology from folklore, religious tradition, and popular horror tropes into an ongoing story about family, sacrifice, and the fight between good and evil.
The Supernatural cast is anchored by Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles, who appeared in every one of the show's 327 episodes — a remarkable feat for a series that ran 15 seasons. Their chemistry as brothers Sam and Dean Winchester gave the show a durable emotional core that kept audiences invested long after the original five-season arc concluded. Misha Collins became a breakout addition in season 4 as the angel Castiel, quickly earning series regular status and a devoted global fanbase. The ensemble expanded over the years to include memorable recurring figures including Jim Beaver's gruff father-figure Bobby Singer, Mark Sheppard's scenery-chewing Crowley, and Mark Pellegrino's chilling portrayal of Lucifer. The Supernatural cast is widely praised for its willingness to commit fully to both the show's horror elements and its frequently self-aware, comedic moments.
Main Cast
Jared Padalecki
Sam Winchester
The younger Winchester brother, a Stanford law student who rejoins the family hunting business; driven by intellect, empathy, and a recurring struggle with demonic forces within himself.
Jensen Ackles
Dean Winchester
The older Winchester brother, a seasoned hunter who raised Sam and bears the weight of their father's legacy; pragmatic, fiercely protective, and known for his dark humor.
Misha Collins
Castiel
An angel of the Lord who pulls Dean from Hell and becomes a vital ally; his arc from dutiful soldier to rebel angel and surrogate member of the Winchester family spans seasons 4 through 15.
Mark Sheppard
Crowley
The sardonic King of Hell whose relationship with the Winchesters shifts between antagonist and reluctant ally; a series regular from season 6 through his departure in season 12.
Jim Beaver
Bobby Singer
A grizzled veteran hunter who serves as a mentor and surrogate father to Sam and Dean; one of the show's most beloved characters across his many appearances through season 7 and beyond.
Alexander Calvert
Jack Kline
The Nephilim son of Lucifer and a human woman, whose enormous power and childlike innocence make him both a formidable force and a vulnerable member of the Winchester family in seasons 13–15.
Samantha Smith
Mary Winchester
Sam and Dean's mother, killed by the demon Azazel when Dean was four; resurrected in season 11 and becomes a recurring presence as the brothers adjust to having their mother back in their lives.
Mark Pellegrino
Lucifer
The archangel Lucifer, primary antagonist of season 5 and a recurring villain throughout the series; Pellegrino brings a disquieting combination of charm and malevolence to the role.
Ruth Connell
Rowena MacLeod
A powerful Scottish witch and Crowley's mother, initially introduced as an antagonist before becoming an indispensable magical ally to the Winchesters in later seasons.
Supporting & Recurring Cast
| Actor | Character | Role | Seasons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeffrey Dean Morgan | John Winchester | Sam and Dean's father, a hunter consumed by vengeance against the demon that killed Mary | 1–2, recurring |
| Katie Cassidy | Ruby | A demon who poses as an ally to Sam, teaching him to use his psychic powers | 3–4 |
| Lauren Cohan | Bela Talbot | A morally ambiguous thief and dealer in supernatural artifacts | 3 |
| Genevieve Cortese | Ruby (alternate actress) | Continued the role of Ruby in season 4 after Cassidy's departure | 4 |
| Adrianne Palicki | Jessica Moore | Sam's girlfriend at Stanford, whose death opens the series | 1, recurring |
| Richard Speight Jr. | Gabriel / The Trickster | Archangel hiding as a trickster demigod; fan-favourite recurring character | 3, 5, 9, 13 |
| Rob Benedict | Chuck Shurley / God | A reclusive author of the Supernatural books who is eventually revealed to be God himself | 4–5, 11, 14–15 |
| Felicia Day | Charlie Bradbury | A hacker and fan of the Winchester mythology who becomes a skilled hunter and close friend | 7–10, 15 |
| Kim Rhodes | Sheriff Jody Mills | A South Dakota sheriff who becomes a trusted ally after supernatural events upend her life | 5–15 recurring |
| Briana Buckmaster | Sheriff Donna Hanscum | A cheerful Minnesota sheriff who becomes a capable hunter working alongside Jody Mills | 10–15 recurring |
| Osric Chau | Kevin Tran | A teenage prophet who can read the Word of God tablets | 7–9, 15 |
| Tahmoh Penikett | Gadreel | An angel who possesses Sam under the pretense of healing him in season 9 | 9 |
| Curtis Armstrong | Metatron | The Scribe of God who exiles all angels from Heaven | 8–10, 15 |
| Emily Swallow | Amara / The Darkness | God's sister and the primordial force of darkness, a major antagonist in season 11 | 11, 15 |
Creators & Production
Eric Kripke
Creator and showrunner for seasons 1–5; conceived Supernatural as a five-year arc inspired by American folklore and urban legends.
Sera Gamble
Writer and co-executive producer under Kripke; became showrunner for seasons 6–7 following Kripke's planned exit.
Jeremy Carver
Writer who rejoined the series as showrunner for seasons 8–11, introducing major mytharc elements including the Men of Letters and the Darkness.
Andrew Dabb
Writer from season 3 onward who served as co-showrunner from season 12 and sole showrunner through the series finale in season 15.
Robert Singer
Executive producer and director from the very beginning; served as co-showrunner alongside multiple head writers across the entire 15-season run.
McG
Director who helmed the pilot episode, establishing the show's cinematic visual tone and gothic Americana aesthetic.
About the Supernatural Cast
Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles were cast as Sam and Dean Winchester after separate auditions, and their instant on-screen rapport became the foundation everything else was built upon. Both actors had prior television experience — Padalecki on Gilmore Girls and Ackles on Smallville and Days of Our Lives — but Supernatural defined their careers and turned them into icons of the genre television landscape. The longevity of the partnership is reflected in their continued collaboration after the series: Ackles went on to produce and star in The Winchesters, a prequel series, while Padalecki starred in the Walker reboot on The CW.
Misha Collins's addition as Castiel in season 4's premiere fundamentally changed the show's dynamic and scope. Originally booked for a limited guest appearance, his immediate popularity with viewers led to Castiel becoming a core figure in the series mythology. Collins became one of the most prominent members of the cast in fan engagement activities, including co-founding Random Acts, a nonprofit organization. The show's willingness to expand its universe — adding angels, archangels, the King of Hell, and eventually God himself as an antagonist — allowed the ensemble to grow substantially without losing its central brotherly dynamic. Mark Sheppard's Crowley, in particular, brought a wry British wit that made him the perfect comic counterweight to the show's heavier dramatic arcs, and his absence was keenly felt after season 12.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who stars in Supernatural?
Supernatural stars Jared Padalecki as Sam Winchester and Jensen Ackles as Dean Winchester, two brothers who hunt demons, ghosts, and other supernatural creatures. Misha Collins joined the main cast in season 4 as the angel Castiel.
Who plays Dean Winchester in Supernatural?
Dean Winchester is played by Jensen Ackles across all 15 seasons of Supernatural. Ackles portrayed the older Winchester brother known for his love of classic rock, muscle cars, and dark humor throughout the entire series run from 2005 to 2020.
How many seasons does Supernatural have?
Supernatural ran for 15 seasons from September 2005 to November 2020, making it one of the longest-running fantasy television series in American broadcast history. The series finale aired on November 19, 2020.
Who created Supernatural?
Supernatural was created by Eric Kripke, who originally envisioned it as a five-season story. The series premiered on The WB network and moved to The CW when the networks merged, where it continued for a total of 15 seasons.
Who plays Crowley in Supernatural?
Crowley, the self-proclaimed King of Hell, is played by British actor Mark Sheppard. He appeared from season 5 onward and became a series regular from season 6 through season 12, making Crowley one of the show's most beloved antagonist-turned-occasional-ally characters.
How we build these cast lists
For background on how Cast.biz compiles and orders cast credits, see understanding billing order, how TV show casts are built, and our glossary of cast credits.