Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles became household names as the monster-hunting Winchester brothers on Supernatural, captivating audiences from 2005 to 2020. Their 15-year journey through over 300 episodes left a lasting impression not only on fans but also on the actors themselves.
Padalecki once told Us Weekly that he would “never really say goodbye” to his character, emphasizing how deeply bonded the cast and crew had become over the years. “We really have become a family,” he said, reflecting on how the team evolved over time, keeping only those who truly enjoyed being part of the project. Ackles, sharing similar sentiments, kept the legacy alive by expanding the Supernatural universe with The Winchesters, a prequel series exploring the story of Dean and Sam’s parents.
Even after the show’s conclusion, both actors have stayed busy with high-profile roles in various TV projects. Padalecki took on the lead in the Walker reboot at The CW from 2020 to 2024, where he also worked as an executive producer. This reboot spawned Walker: Independence, a prequel series, and included a cameo from Padalecki himself. Ackles joined his former co-star behind the scenes as a director and made a guest appearance as Miles Vyas.
Padalecki also ventured into CBS’ Fire Country in season 3, appearing in a three-episode arc as Camden Casey, a firefighter grappling with personal tragedy. His role was intended to set up a spinoff titled Fire Country: Surfside, focusing on life and loss in the high-stakes world of California firefighters.
Ackles, meanwhile, made a bold transition with his portrayal of Soldier Boy in Amazon Prime Video’s The Boys. The unexpected shift from Dean Winchester to this morally ambiguous superhero resonated with audiences and earned him a starring role in the upcoming prequel Vought Rising. In a full-circle moment, Padalecki is slated to join the final season of The Boys in a yet-to-be-disclosed role, reuniting the duo with showrunner Eric Kripke, who previously helmed Supernatural.
Padalecki’s collaboration with Walker showrunner Anna Fricke led to another project in development for CBS. This untitled medical drama centers on a country doctor who practices unconventional, improvisational medicine, showcasing Padalecki’s commitment to exploring diverse characters.
Ackles, on the other hand, brought his charm to ABC’s Big Sky after a guest appearance in season 2 led to a starring role as Beau Arlen. The series paired him with country music legend Reba McEntire. He also ventured back to his Supernatural roots with The Winchesters, narrating the prequel series as Dean Winchester and serving as an executive producer alongside his wife, Danneel Ackles.
In the action-packed Tracker, Ackles reunited with Smallville co-star Justin Hartley, playing his on-screen brother, a role crafted with plenty of Easter eggs for longtime fans. Additionally, Ackles will appear in Countdown, a Prime Video series featuring him as Mark, an LAPD officer recruited into an elite task force investigating a murder that shocks the nation.
From exploring new genres to reuniting with beloved collaborators, Padalecki and Ackles have proven that their careers extend far beyond their Supernatural days, keeping audiences captivated with every new venture.