The Supernatural universe refuses to fade away. Three years after its cancellation, prequel series The Winchesters has made an unexpected comeback—this time on the streaming charts.
According to Flix Patrol, the series broke into the top 10 most-watched programs on HBO Max through Amazon channels. On Sept. 27, The Winchesters entered the list at number 10. Just a day later, it jumped to number 8, surpassing titles like Assassin’s Creed and Walker Independence.
A Prequel with Familiar Faces
Developed by Robbie Thompson, The Winchesters premiered in 2022 as a prequel to Eric Kripke’s long-running hit Supernatural, which ended in 2020 after 15 seasons. The series starred Meg Donnelly as Mary Campbell, leader of the “Monster Club,” and Drake Rodger as John Winchester, a young Marine born into a family of hunters.
The cast also featured Nida Khurshid, Jojo Fleites, Demetria McKinney, Bianca Kajlich, Tom Welling, Andrea Londo, and Ryan McCartan. Fans were thrilled to hear Jensen Ackles return as narrator Dean Winchester, while other Supernatural stars—Gil McKinney, Rob Benedict, Richard Speight Jr., Ruth Connell, Jim Beaver, and Alexander Calvert—reprised their iconic roles.
Critical Praise, Divided Audiences
Upon release, The Winchesters earned glowing reviews, even scoring a rare 100% “Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Yet despite critical acclaim, the show struggled with ratings. Audience scores told a different story, sitting at just 44%.
Ownership changes at The CW, along with behind-the-scenes shifts, sealed the show’s fate. In May 2023, The Winchesters was officially canceled after one season. Efforts to find the series a new home ultimately fell short.
What Could Have Been
Jensen Ackles later revealed that the team had ambitious plans for the spinoff. Showrunner Robbie Thompson had mapped out a five-season story arc. “I just think that there’s a way to keep this alive and it would be a shame to let that go,” Ackles explained.
He also praised the dedication of Supernatural fans: “They are fired up. I love that about this fandom. I love that they are so passionate about this world and this universe and these characters that they are willing to go to the mat for a show like this. I think that speaks volumes, especially to those who are willing to listen and have the power to do something about it.”
For now, the series lives on through streaming. The Winchesters is currently available on HBO Max.