‘Supernatural’ season 9: Jared Padalecki on upcoming spin-off pilot
Given that “Supernatural” has been on the already for a full nine seasons, it is somewhat crazy to even think at the moment about the idea of a spin-off. We’re mostly surprised that the show hasn’t really gone down this road before.
So far, details are sketchy on the idea, other than that it will be the 20th episode of the season, and that it will most-likely feature a move to a more urban setting after spending so much time on the road and more rural settings.
One person who is very interested in seeing how this develops in Jared Padalecki, who cites everything from the fan base’s passion to fanfiction as one of the reasons why this could be interesting in a chat with TVLine:
“We’ve seen other shows on our network be able to have successful spin-offs … I think it’s a cool story to tell. Supernatural fans have spoken and said listen, there aren’t 100 million of us, but those of us that do watch the show are passionate and want to hear more stories and read fan fiction and be a part of this world. So I think it’s great. Anything that makes them happy. It doesn’t put any money in my pocket, but I think it’s cool.”
But do we really think that a spin-off for “Supernatural” can work? While the writing is one of the main reasons why this show has done so well, it’s almost the performances of Padalecki and Jensen Ackles. There are no two actors anywhere that probably mean more to the show, and the producers are really going to have to go all-out in casting in order to figure out how to make this work.
Are you interested in at least seeing the backdoor pilot for the “Supernatural” spin-off, let alone the show itself? Be sure to share below.
Chris
January 21, 2014 @ 2:30 pm
It would be a huge mistake to create a show and depend on the SPN fanbase to follow it on that basis alone, because 80% of the fans watch for the Winchester Brothers and not for the stories or the secondary characters or even for the genre. If it’s a good show and it has good characters and quality writing then I will watch, if not I doubt I will bother simply out of loyalty to SPN. Shows like CSI and Criminal Minds have changed their leads multiple times, created successful spinoffs and retained their viewers because they are invested in the genre, at SPN there is really no show without Sam and Dean so a spinoff will have to be able to stand on it’s own. I am NOT saying it won’t be successful, I just don’t think it is a given that it will retain the SPN fanbase, it will have to work to find it’s own fanbase.
Shayla
January 21, 2014 @ 12:45 pm
Great article! Jensen and Jared are definitely amazing actors to carry Supernatural into it’s 9th season, but I’m also interested in the spin-off! I already missed the old stories about Pagan Gods and ghosts, and other myths. Can’t wait to find out what the spin-off is about.
Amber
January 21, 2014 @ 10:29 am
I am interested in the idea of a spin off but like many people have said above, I watch Supernatural for the characters (Sam, Dean, Cas, Crowley, Abaddon, Kevin) and the actors who play them make the show compelling watching where the writing has been immensely variable in quality, especially over the last three seasons. So I’m wary of investing time in another show minus these characters/actors just on the basis of the writing. The casting is going to be crucial in hooking an audience here….
shadowshark
January 21, 2014 @ 10:14 am
I’m curious to see what the spin-off pilot will look like. No idea whether I’d actually watch it, I guess that depends on the new cast and storylines. I have to agree with some of the other comments; the writing of Supernatural hasn’t always been spot on. The fact that some of the writers have ignored previously established canon on several occasions is proof enough of that. But to me, the show will always be worth watching as long as the brothers are still in it.
I’m a bit surprised how many other comments have put Misha Collins on the same level as Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki. Granted, it’s nice to have Castiel now and then – as long as there’s a good storyline involved – but I don’t need him to keep me interested in the show. Never have. I’m much more interested in the Winchesters. Give me the boys, facing the impossible and still standing strong together, and I’m happy.
Chris
January 21, 2014 @ 2:38 pm
I agree, I love Misha as Castiel and as a person (he was amazing with my kids at a Con) but losing him as a character is not a dealbreaker for me, I’ve always been in it for Sam and Dean:)
LilNerdyDudeWithWings
January 21, 2014 @ 1:34 am
I’m looking forward to watch the Spinoff. But also, as it was already mentioned in other comments, Misha Collins, who plays the angel Castiel, had a fundamental role on Supernatural’s incredible longevity. He’s the main reason why I watch the show and he’s not even in all episodes. Definitely a keeper!
Lisa
January 20, 2014 @ 8:20 pm
Jared is such a sweetheart and we Supernatural fans are so lucky to have him. He’s really, truly a giant ray of sunshine.
However, the author of this article definitely missed an important factor in the success of Supernatural and that is one Misha Collins. Misha/Castiel is just as important for many fans, perhaps even more important for some, as Jensen/Dean and Jared/Sam are. I personally started watching the show in 2012 because of Castiel and the bond he shares with Dean and have heard similar stories from several other people as I’ve become active in the online fandom. For so many of us fans, Team Free Will is the heart and soul of this show and if it wasn’t for Misha/Cas being a part of it, then I’d most likely move on to something else.
The pilot idea sounds intriguing so far, but the quality of the majority of the first half of Season 9 of Supernatural has given me many reservations about tuning into the pilot. If it is going to be episodes like 9×03, 9×08, and others of that ilk, then I definitely care nothing for watching it.
Brynn
January 20, 2014 @ 8:15 pm
I agree that the Jensen & Jared have been a large part of Supernatural’s success. But, to be honest, the only reason I’m still watching is due to the addition of Misha Collins to the cast in Season 4. His performance and the wonderful chemistry he has with Jensen reignited my waning interest (at the time) in the show and has kept watching ever since.
Kathryn
January 20, 2014 @ 3:02 pm
Supernatural has succeeded partly because of the Js’ performances, as you rightly note. But it has also succeeded because of Misha Collins’ performance and popularity. He and Cas mean just as much to many fans of the show as the Js do.
dottweets
January 20, 2014 @ 2:47 pm
When SPN got started, no one knew what it would become what it did. I’m intrigued by the idea of a spin-off, since the world of Supernatural has always interested me greatly and I’ve always been disappointed that the show didn’t more fully integrate some support elements–for example, it got rid of the Roadhouse, didn’t give us even one flashback episode about the Harvelles, and then killed off Jo and Ellen, which was such a waste IMO.
Also I’m here for Castiel as well as for Sam and Dean. The acting and chemistry of Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles and Misha Collins are amazing and on any show, finding the right combination of actors is often what makes or breaks it, no matter how strong or weak the writing. SPN has had some terrific writing and some so-so writing, but the writing team is imaginative and talented and takes chances, so it goes both ways–they give the actors great material to work with, and the actors often elevate the material. SPN has also had a number of incredible supporting actors/characters that have added to the show’s success besides Castiel/Misha–there’s Jim Beaver as Bobby, for one, and more recently we’ve had Osric Chau’s Kevin and Felicia Day’s Charlie. So I’d be interested to see what they can do with a spin-off, and I hope it has a more ensemble feel to it that includes female leads.
Jay
January 20, 2014 @ 5:31 pm
Don’t forget about Mark Sheppard’s Crowley, he’s one of my favorite characters. He’s such an amazing actor and the character of Crowley is so intriguing and fun. He’s been around since season 5 and has proven how vital he is to the story at every turn.
Emily
January 21, 2014 @ 11:01 am
But let’s be honest; SPN would be as good without cas (if he didn’t come back in the late season 7) Sam and Dean can live and manage without him. I think it’s not fair that new and good characters like Kevin or earlier Bela, Jo & Ellen or the most important BOBBY died and noone quit watching it but some people would stop watching if Cas died. Even Jensen has stated many times that the show is about THE UNDYING LOVE BETWEEN TWO FAMILY MEMBERS AND HOW THEY CHOOSE EACHOTHER OVER EVERYTHING ELSE. I hope cas dies soon because hes been on the show for too long and should go away. However I personally would watch the spin-off if some good charachters were in it.
Susanne
January 20, 2014 @ 1:47 pm
I would be very likely to check out the new spin-off, however, the writers would have to step up their game on the story lines to keep me coming back. Without the brothers and Castiel, it just wouldn’t be the same. To me it is important that the trio get a light at the end of the tunnel, especially Dean, as he is my favourite character. And to me it is obvious that Dean can’t possibly be happy without Castiel; romantic or platonic, he needs him. They need each other. If their story comes to a natural close – in a good way – I would probably be optimistic about a spin-off. Sam is equally important to the show as it is, but I think he is the one who would be most apt to a life apart from the other two. I would definitely watch a show with only him, but I can’t even imagine a show with either Dean or Cas being alone. It would just break my heart over and over again. Of course, I prefer them all together. Team Free Will is what makes Supernatural the amazing show it is.
Lisa
January 20, 2014 @ 8:13 pm
I scrolled down to read the comments and this is the first one and I saw and it is perfect. I couldn’t agree more with every single thing that you have said here.
Susanne
January 20, 2014 @ 8:53 pm
Thank you so much for the support!
S
January 22, 2014 @ 4:53 pm
Really? If you think that Dean could live a ‘happy’ life without Sam, then you’re obviously watching a different show then I am. *mind is boggled*
Susanne
January 22, 2014 @ 10:27 pm
Nono, what I’m trying to convey is that Dean would not be able to carry on if both Sam AND Cas left him. But seeing as they now have a big story arc dealing with the codependency between Sam and Dean, they will probably be able to lead separate lives at the end of it, and that is a good thing. I do not, by all means, want Sam out of the picture, I’m just saying he’s the one who would function the most by himself. I believe that if Sam was truly happy, and settled down somewhere as opposed to hunting with his brother, Dean would not mind it, after this arc. But I do not want Dean all by himself, and I think this is where Castiel could come in as a hunting partner. Ideally, I’d have them all settled down in the same town. As I said, I’d definitely have Team Free Will over any variation of just two of them.
deb
January 20, 2014 @ 12:41 pm
If Jared believes it is primarily the stories that keeps people coming in, then he’s wrong. For a lot of us it’s the characters (Dean, Sam, AND Cas) and actors (Jensen, Jared, AND Misha) who keep us coming back, not just the stories. {Misha Collins has kept me tuning in, not just Jensen and Jared. Misha’s performance is outstanding.} That being said, I doubt I’ll be too interested in the spin off. Jensen, Jared, and Misha; Dean, Sam, and Cas are what interest me, when it comes to the “Supernatural” universe. They are the backbone which keep me coming back.
kaystiel
January 20, 2014 @ 12:25 pm
the greatest weakness for Supernatural has been of late the writing, shows are very uneven and don’t play to the strengths of the premise, or the actors, Jared, Jensen and Misha. Apparently the spin-off features new characters and a new premise, so I don’t think I’ll be engaged. My hope is that those producers and writers not intrigued with what they have in Supernatural, can now leave for something they can get excited for, which will leave the flagship show with a team that gives it an A+ effort.
Kiarra
January 20, 2014 @ 4:20 am
I think Jared and Jensen are eventually going to get tired if they’re not already. But the world that was built for Supernatural may have more stories to tell. So sure I’d love to see the pilot. Mind the WB is going to have to mean it. They have to have a good story and good writing. But I would love to see something great come from it.
Kiarra
January 20, 2014 @ 4:22 am
Can you believe I said WB….duh CW will have to mean it.