BetweenCountdownandThe Boys, Jensen Ackles is having a well-deserved moment in the spotlight — andSupernaturalprepared him for these projects in one important way. Ackles portrayed Dean Winchester inall 15 seasons ofSupernatural, and the CW show remains the title he’s best known for.
That likely has to do withSupernatural’s enduring legacy, which still has many viewers clamoring for a revival or 16th season of the show. At the moment, one of thebiggest obstacles to moreSupernaturalis Ackles' busy schedule. He just made his debut in Prime Video’sCountdown,he has a role in the CBS seriesTracker,and he’s a fan-favorite as Soldier Boy inThe Boysuniverse.
Ackles is clearly thriving on the heels of The CW series, which ended back in 2020. He recently toldPeoplehow it prepared him for his other roles. The television landscape has changed significantly sinceSupernatural,and most of Ackles' newer projects don’t require nearly the same time commitment:
“We’d spend nine and a half months filming 23-episode seasons. It was a marathon.”
Newer shows tend to have much shorter runs, especially on streaming.Ackles jested thatCountdown’s “13-episode season feels respectful"by comparison.Trackerstill has 20-episode seasons, but Ackles notably isn’t in every installment. AndThe Boysruns shorter than Supernatural as well, averaging about eight episodes per outing.
Supernatural Was Great Preparation For Jensen Ackles' Later Shows
Shorter Streaming Shows Are Likely Much Easier By Comparison
Supernatural’s long and vigorous production periods prepared its cast wellfor any future projects, and it’s likely that modern streaming series are much easier on them by comparison. While a ton of effort goes into the making of any TV series, Ackles comments point to a reality for many actors.
Although the longer seasons of older shows may have kept stars employed longer, they were also challenging in their own ways. They required a much greater time commitment, which made it difficult for cast and crew members to pursue other projects or take time for their own personal endeavors.
Our Take On The Supernatural Star’s Comments
They’re Worth Remembering In The Streaming Conversation
Shorter seasons have been a major complaint about the streaming era, but it’s worth remembering comments like Ackles' when discussing the current state of television. Although shorter seasons and longer waits are frustrating for viewers, they clearly come with benefits for those behind the scenes.
Of course, TV actors like Ackles are prepared for pretty much anything after working on lengthy shows likeSupernatural. And given the popularity of such projects, it’s probably worth seeking a balance when it comes to episode counts. That’s something that streamers still seem to be figuring out.
