Summary
Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles have been notable TV stars for a number of years. Prior to playing Dean Winchester on the hit seriesSupernaturalfrom 2005–2020,Ackles was known as a long-time cast member on the soap operaDays of Our Lives. Getting his start on the show when he was still a teenager,Days of Our Liveswas a huge jumping-off point for Ackles to be noticed by the CW network when they were casting forSupernatural, which led toAckles to creating some career-best characters, afterwards.
Dean Winchester’s equally notable brother, Sam, is played by Padalecki on the show. Padalecki’s pre-Supernaturalincludes playing a character who is consequently named Dean, on the hit dramaseriesGilmore Girls. Both Ackles and Padalecki have now become synonymous with theSupernaturalfranchise, as it was critical to both of their careers. Despite the centrality ofSupernaturalto both Padalecki and Ackles, each actor has gone on to star in other projects since the CW series ended.
Supernatural: Every Season Ranked
Supernatural had a historic 15-season run on TV, and the show’s length saw many ups and downs in quality. Here are the Supernatural seasons ranked.
9Batman Animated Films (Jensen Ackles)
Batman / Bruce Wayne
For Ackles' first project post-Supernatural, the actor decided to exercise his voice acting chops. He did so in a high-profile role, byplayingthe iconic DC superhero Batman (and his daytime counterpart Bruce Wayne) in the animated feature filmBatman: The Long Halloween, Part One. This computer-animated superhero feature was directed by Chris Palmer and featured Ackles, alongside a co-starring voice cast of Josh Duhamel as Harvey Dent, Troy Baker as Joker, and the late Naya Rivera as Catwoman / Selina Kyle.
2021
2023
2024
Jeff Wamester
Batman: The Long Halloween, Part Onewas followed up byPart Two. Ackles’ work on theBatmanmovies did not stop there, as the actor went on to voice Batman in a number of other films, most recently inJustice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Two. The full list of Ackles’ Batman voice acting credits includesBatman: The Long Halloween, Part One,Batman: The Long Halloween, Part Two,Legion of Super-Heroes,Justice League: Warworld,Justice League, Crisis on Infinite Earths - Part One, andJustice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths - Part Two.
Batman: The Long Halloween
Cast
In this two-part animated film, a serial killer terrorizes Gotham, killing on holidays. It’s up to Batman to find and stop the killer, while the Falcones, the Joker, and plenty of other old enemies seem determined to get in his way.
8Walker (Jared Padalecki)
Cordell Walker
Jared Padalecki was lucky enough to maintain his relationship with the CW after the ending ofSupernatural. He starred as the eponymousCordell Walker in the seriesWalker, which follows the story of a widowed father who returns to Austin and attempts to uncover the mysterious secrets that may be behind his wife’s death. In addition to Padalecki,Walkerfeatures a leading cast including Molly Hagan, Keegan Allen, Violet Brinson, Kale Culley, Coby Bell, Jeff Pierre, and Mitch Pileggi.
Walkerwas seen as Padalecki’s comeback show for fans of the actor, acting as a Western-genre replacement for Sam Winchester. Disappointing copious audiences, however, was the fact thatWalkerended up being canceled after season 4. Thefinal episode ofWalkeraired on June 26 to largely positive reviews. Nonetheless, the fact that CW put an end, at least for right now, to their multi-decade relationship with Padalecki was a massive blow to both the actor and the significant following that he had amassed.
Walker
Walker is The CW’s 2021 reboot of the ‘90s popular western Walker, Texas Ranger. The drama series was developed by Anna Fricke and stars Jared Padalecki as Cordell Walker, the titular Texas Ranger. Alongside Padalecki stars Molly Hagan, Keegan Allen, Violet Brinson, and Kale Kulley. Jared Padalecki’s wife, Genevieve, also appears in the series as Walker’s wife, Emily.
7The Boys Season 3 (Jensen Ackles)
Soldier Boy
Teaming up withSupernaturalcreator Eric Kripke once again,Ackles debuted as Soldier Boyin the second episode ofThe Boysseason 3. Soldier Boy is one of the primary villains of the season, who has a history of betraying his team to get his personal gains. Part way through season 3, it is also revealed that Solider Boy is the father ofThe Boyslead character Homelander, in a shocking twist to the season.
Eric Kripke has teased a potential appearance by Jared Padalecki inThe Boys.
Soldier Boy is seemingly killed off at theend ofThe Boysseason 3, which theoretically would mark the end of Ackles’ tenure on the series. A recent post featuring Ackles, however, showed the actor wearing a hat with a logo forThe Boysseason 4 on it. While this image could merely show the actor’s support of Kripke’s series, this appearance has prompted rumors that Ackles could emerge inThe Boysseason 4. With just two episodes left to go in the season, Soldier Boy’s appearance seems less likely, but anything is possible in this raucous current season.
The Boys
The Boys is a gritty and subversive take on the superhero genre, focusing on a group of vigilantes who confront powerful superheroes abusing their abilities, exploring themes of corruption and moral ambiguity in a world where heroes are not always what they seem.
9 The Boys Characters Jared Padalecki Could Play
Since many supes haven’t appeared in Prime Video’s The Boys, Supernatural star Jared Padelecki could portray any of them if he cameos in the show.
6Walker: Independence (Jared Padalecki)
Man with No Name
The majority of Padalecki’s post-Supernaturalcareer has been focused on his role inWalker. This is part of what made it so devastating thatWalkerseason 5 was called off, for the show was the main vehicle by which Padalecki fans could see him perform. Showing his dedication to theWalkerIP,Padalecki appears in a cameo inWalker: Independenceseason 1, episode 12, “How We Got Here.” His role was credited as Man with No Name.
Padalecki only appeared this one time in the prequel seriesWalker: Independence. The spinoff was canceled after only a single, 13-episode season, despite largely positive reviews. The cancelation ofWalker: Independenceis another disappointing outcome for theWalkerfranchise. WithWalkercanceled after season 4, Padalecki will not have the opportunity for another cameo inWalker: Independence, nor will he get to continue Cordell Walker’s story.
Walker: Independence
Walker: Independence is a prequel series to Walker, which starred Jared Padalecki as the titular lawman. Independence follows Abby Walker, who, after witnessing her husband’s murder, continues heading West until she becomes friends with an outlaw known as Hoyt Rawlins. Together, the two will settle in the town of Independence, Texas, as it begins to take shape.
5Big Sky (Jensen Ackles)
Sheriff Beau Arlen
Amidst contributing his vocal talents to Batman, Ackles made an appearance on the Hulu crime showBig Skyas Sheriff Beau Arlen. Starring Katheryn Winnick, Kylie Bunbury, Dedee Pfeiffer, and J. Anthony Pena,Big Skyis a suspenseful series that chronicles the pairing of a PI and an ex-cop who attempt to solve crimes in Montana.Ackles’ character is first introduced in theBig Skyseason 2 finale, and then becomes a series regularforBig Skyseason 3.
Unfortunately for Ackles,Big Skyfell victim to a similar fate as Padalecki’s post-Supernaturalshows. That is,Big Skywas canceled by ABC after season 3. At the time of the May 2023 announcement, it was unclear whetherBig Skywould then be picked up for a fourth season by A+E Studios. As of now, no renewal ofBig Skyseason 4 has been announced by another network, making the future chances look slim for Ackles’ series.
Big Sky
Big Sky is a crime drama based on The Highway books from CJ Box. The series centers on Jenny Hoyt, an ex-cop, and Cassie Dewell, a private detective, who work together to solve crimes in Montana. Katheryn Winnick and Kylie Bunbury star in the ABC series, which was subtitled Deadly Trails beginning in season 3.
4The Winchesters (Jensen Ackles)
Dean Winchester
Even after 15 seasons ofSupernatural, audiences were hungry for more. This resulted in the creation of the spinoff seriesThe Winchesters.Ackles was one of the stars ofThe Winchesters, reprising his role as Dean. The series is told from Dean’s perspective, even though the overall plot focuses on Dean and Sam’s parents, John and Mary Winchester.
Despite the support of theSupernaturalfanbase,The Winchesterscould not quite get off the ground and was resultantly cancelled after just one season. Since the ending ofThe Winchestersin 2023, Kripke, Ackles, and Padalecki have floated ideas of aSupernaturalreboot. Kripke has said that he would be willing to continue with the franchise should someone come up with a great idea for the series. With Padalecki at minimum having a more open schedule afterWalkerending, aSupernaturalreboot is more likely than ever.
The Winchesters
The Winchesters is a prequel series to Supernatural created by Eric Kripke. It follows monster hunters John Winchester (Drake Rodger) and Mary Campbell (Meg Donnelly) as they search for their missing parents in the years before the birth of their sons Sam and Dean. The Winchesters is narrated by Jensen Ackles, who serves as the show’s executive producer, and also stars Tom Welling as Samuel Campbell.
3Buddy Games: Spring Awakening (Jensen Ackles)
Jack Durty
Though Ackles’ career is mostly known for television, the actor had a foray into film acting after the ending ofSupernatural. In 2023, he teamed up withBatman: The Long Halloweenco-star Duhamel to play a role in Duhamel’s own project,Buddy Games: Spring Awakening. The movie is a sequel to the 2019 Duhamel-directed filmBuddy Games, which sees a group of friends get together to engage in absurd physical challenges.
The crew is back together forBuddy Games: Spring Awakening, whose cast is led by Duhamel, Dan Bakkedahl, Kevin Dillon, Nick Swardson, and James Roday Rodriguez. Like the first movie,Buddy Games: Spring Awakeningwas panned by critics, as it received a Rotten Tomatoes score of 33%.Buddy Games: Spring Awakeningreceived only a limited release, and was largely overlooked due to its abysmal reviews.
Buddy Games: Spring Awakening
Buddy Games: Spring Awakening is a comedy film that follows up the 2019 original film. The group of friends reunites to honor the memory of a friend who went missing. Somehow, this adventure leads them to a Spring Break event like none other - where their classic partying ways clash with those of the next generation.
2Gen V Season 1 (Jensen Ackles)
Solider Boy
Unlike the slew of canceled shows from both Ackles and Padalecki,The Boyswas wildly successful. Not only was it renewed for season 4, but the series also spawned the spinoff seriesGen V.Gen Vis a Prime Video show that has largely distinct characters fromThe Boys, featuring the first generation of superheroes to be aware that their powers arise from Compound V. The leading cast includes Jaz Sinclair as Marei Moreau, Lizzie Broadway as Emma Meyer, Maddie Phillips as Cate Dunlap, London Thor as Jordan Li, and Asa Germann as Sam Riordan.
ConnectingGen VwithThe Boys, Ackles briefly appears inGen V, season 1, episode 6, “Jumanji.”His cameo occurs when Cate and her crew meet Soldier Boy in a version of the character imagined by Cate. WithGen Vseason 4 confirmed by Prime Video, it is possible that Ackles could appear again in either that show or the remaining two seasons ofThe Boys.
Gen V
Gen V is set at America’s only college for superheroes, where students challenge their moral limits while competing to join Vought International’s elite team, The Seven. As dark secrets of the institution are revealed, they must determine the kind of heroes they aspire to be.
1Tracker Season 1 (Jensen Ackles)
Russell Shaw
Ackles continued his trend of one-off TV appearances whenhe played a role in season 1 of the Paramount+ seriesTracker.InTrackerseason 1, episode 12, “Off the Books,” Colter joins forces with his estranged brother, Russell, with whom he works to track down his old army buddy who has disappeared. Ackles plays Russell Shaw in this episode. Russell and Colter have a fraught history, as Russell found their father dead but vehemently denies accusations that he killed the father.
Tracker
Tracker follows lone-wolf survivalist Colter Shaw as he navigates the country as a reward seeker. Utilizing his expert tracking skills, he aids private citizens and law enforcement in solving various mysteries while grappling with issues from his fractured family.
Russell Shaw only appears in “Off the Books” and does not come back for theTrackerseason 1 finale. WithTrackerseason 2 confirmed, however, it is possible that Ackles could come back to appear in the Paramount+ series again. Either way, it seems like Ackles has a plenty-packed schedule betweenThe Boys, his Batman appearances, and the possibility of aSupernaturalreboot.
Supernatural
Supernatural is a television series that follows brothers Sam and Dean Winchester, who were raised by their father to hunt and combat supernatural entities after losing their mother to a demonic force. Traversing the American landscape in their ‘67 Chevy Impala, they face numerous paranormal threats.
