Supernatural’s Mark Sheppard Explains Why He ‘Hates The Idea Of A Fan’ When It Comes To The Hit Series

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Four years have passed since “Supernatural” concluded its run, yet it continues to be one of the most appealing shows for repeated viewing, even with 15 seasons under its belt. With a Netflix subscription, viewers could stream this show that garnered a dedicated cult following, making it the longest-running series on The CW, ending after 327 episodes in November 2020. The loyal fanbase remains strong, as demonstrated by frequent fan conventions, but one of its stars, Mark Sheppard, isn’t particularly fond of the current concept of a “fan” related to the series.

The actor who portrayed Crowley, the ruler of Hell and a complex character in relation to the Winchester brothers on “SPN”, made an appearance at MegaCon Orlando alongside some of his former co-stars earlier this month. During a discussion about the show’s lasting influence and how it continues to serve as a “safe” or comforting series for many viewers, even after so many years, Sheppard shared insights about why fans might not be the best term to describe the “Supernatural” community. He explained the origin of the term “SPN Family”.

What sets it apart is the reason I dislike the concept of being a ‘fan.’ We’ve always disliked the term ‘fan.’ The word ‘fan’ is associated with fanaticism, and that’s negative, it’s always been negative. The Supernatural family is about observing how people interact with each other in relation to the show. It’s about sharing the show, sharing lives, and participating in activities together. My friends here are heavily involved in charitable work and various causes they care deeply about. It’s significant. However, you take it to a whole new level. It’s not typical. For me, it serves as a wonderful counterbalance, if you will, to the chaos in the world.

Fan communities often have distinctive names, and ‘Supernatural’ is no exception. The term ‘SPN Family’ has been in use for quite some time now. This makes it even more unique and clearly demonstrates the strong bond between the cast and the fans, or what you could call the ‘SPN Family’. Despite the show deviating from its original path towards the end, particularly with its final episode, this doesn’t seem to diminish the fandom’s enthusiasm, which is fortunate.

Due to the strong connection fans feel towards Jensen Ackles, the anecdotes shared from their encounters with him – be it during conventions, chance meetings on the street, or autograph sessions – hold a special charm. Last year, enthusiasts of the actor recounted various experiences, like unexpected run-ins, stories from autograph signings, and interactions in different languages. Similarly, creator Eric Kripke has often expressed his amazement when people approach him about Supernatural, even years later.

Learning about the closeness among everyone certainly amplifies the disheartening news that “The Winchesters” prequel has been canceled. The show had immense potential to open a new chapter for “Supernatural” and the SPN Family, as it welcomed back many original cast members like Jared Padalecki and Misha Collins. It would have been intriguing to follow the development of this multiverse further. Essentially, “The Winchesters” was another means to extend the life of “Supernatural,” which has been around for 15 years now. Fortunately, the fan base doesn’t appear to be losing steam anytime soon.

It’s apparent that the Supernatural universe isn’t finished with us yet, as the SPN Family shows no signs of disappearing anytime soon. Given Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles’ new roles, and the possibility of both being on The Boys, we can expect to keep tracking their journey and that of the rest of the cast, wherever life may take them.

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2025-02-20 23:08