We’ve said it before, and we’ll continue to say it every time we talk about *Supernatural*—it’s a show about family. Think of it as the Olive Garden of action-packed series, where a tightly-knit group of loved ones takes on the forces of evil together. Just like walking through the doors of an Olive Garden or passing a breadstick to your favorite uncle, joining the *Supernatural* bandwagon means becoming part of a family. The staying power of this community remains so strong that even five years after the series finale, the cast continues to fill theaters at every fan convention they attend.
Over the weekend, series stars Jared Padalecki, Mark Sheppard, Ruth Connell, Jim Beaver, DJ Qualls, Samantha Smith, and Alexander Calvert took center stage at MegaCon in Orlando for a *Supernatural*-themed panel, with Collider’s Maggie Lovitt in attendance. During the discussion, the panelists explored how the show has evolved into a “comfort show” for many fans. Sheppard, who portrayed Crowley in the series, challenged the term “fan,” emphasizing that *Supernatural* fosters deep, familial connections rather than a traditional fandom. He explained:
“What makes it so different is what the—that’s why I hate the idea of a ‘fan.’ We always hated the word ‘fan.’ Fan comes with fanatic, it’s a negative, it’s always been a negative. *Supernatural* family is seeing what people do with other people in conjunction with the show. Sharing the show, sharing lives, doing stuff. My friends here do a lot of charity work, do a lot of things that they care about. It’s enormous. But you guys make it bigger. It’s not a normal thing. It’s a wonderful antidote as far as I’m concerned to the craziness in the world.”
The *Supernatural* Cast Talks Fighting Demons On and Off Screen
Sheppard also expressed gratitude for the *Supernatural* family’s empathy and support, particularly when cast members have opened up about their mental health struggles. Padalecki echoed these sentiments, acknowledging the unwavering encouragement the community has provided since the show’s inception. Sheppard added:
“Our mental health struggles—we’re all vocal about it, we are very vocal about it. You can be famous and in the news and whatever and nobody knows anything about you. And the truth is, we’ve been around doing this for so long, they pretty much know most of it… We are so grateful that it’s taken us all together—you and us—on this journey.”
The impact of *Supernatural* extends far beyond its episodes, resonating deeply with its audience. Whether through charity work, mental health advocacy, or simply sharing their love for the show, the *Supernatural* family continues to strengthen its bonds, proving that even after the cameras stop rolling, their connection endures.