Jared Padalecki’s Supernatural Season 16 Condition Is Reassuring After The Show’s Divisive Ending 4 Years Ago

Although the CW’s iconic demon-hunting series, Supernatural, ended back in 2020, rumors have recently been flying about the show returning for a sixteenth season, and luckily, one of the series’ stars spoke up about what would need to happen for him to make the big return. Supernatural first aired in 2005 and starred Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki as Dean and Sam Winchester, brothers who fight demons for a living. The show ran for a notable fifteen Supernatural seasons until it finally came to a controversial end in 2020. Now, Supernatural season 16 is another divisive decision for the paranormal drama.

Jared Padalecki mentioned Supernatural season 16 could happen at the 2023 Creation Honolulu convention, but the actor hasn’t signed on just yet. During an interview with Collider, Padalecki said time and availability is slowing Supernatural season 16 down. Padalecki also made clear that another season must fit within the show’s canon. The actor said, “If and when Supernatural comes back, it’s going to be a labor of love, and we’re gonna put every hour in to make sure that it’s as true to the canon and to the fandom and to the story and to the characters as possible.”

Jared Padalecki’s Supernatural Season 16 Condition Would Solve A Problem With The Show’s Ending

Season 16 could fix Supernatural’s ending

The fact that Jared Padalecki is concerned about Supernatural’s canon and quality in regard to season 16 is incredibly reassuring to hear for fans of the series. For the most part, this is because the end of Supernatural often felt like the show simply going through the motions. After fifteen seasons, the series often felt repetitive and without fresh or exciting ideas.

Padalecki’s comments are also exciting in general. As much as fans may want a Supernatural return, they likely do not want more content just for the sake of having more episodes. If Supernatural is going to come back, it only makes sense that the cast and crew put all their effort into it. Supernatural has received plenty of criticism throughout the years, and if season 16 was able to fix old problems and offer a shiny and new Supernatural, then it would most definitely be worth it. Overall, it seems like Supernatural season 16 could be a huge redemption.

Padalecki’s Comments Make Supernatural Season 16 Inevitable (Eventually)

Padalecki has confirmed Supernatural season 16 is a priority

Jared Padalecki’s comments don’t insinuate any filming date or release window, but they do make Supernatural season 16 inevitable. Padalecki confirms that he and Jensen Ackles are still interested in returning to Supernatural, and he denotes that, once both actors have free time, Supernatural season 16 will be at the top of their priority lists. Padalecki said, “We don’t wanna go, “Hey, I have two weeks off in June. Let’s go ahead and shoot 10 pages a day….” Though the actors won’t take this path, the fact that they could is telling of their commitment to the project.

On top of that, Padalecki’s interview implies that he has already thought long and hard about Supernatural season 16 and has come to a decision: he will do it if the season is a labor of love and fits with the show’s canon. If Supernatural season 16 wasn’t likely to happen, there would be no point in Padalecki sharing his thoughts on how season 16 should happen. But because he offered up his and Ackles’ requirements for Supernatural season 16, that is more a confirmation that the season is definitely happening rather than a dismissal of the project overall.

What Supernatural Season 16 Needs To Do Differently

Supernatural season 16 must fix the show’s mistakes

If Supernatural really is going to return, there are various changes that the series must make. First and foremost, the show needs to have shorter seasons to coincide with the current television climate. Ten episodes is really the most audiences will watch these days. Furthermore, Supernatural season 16 needs to have fresh ideas. The new season cannot fall into the same patterns that old seasons used. One way to execute this is by focusing more on the monster-of-the-week format rather than the big, overarching villain of the season. This will make the new season more nostalgic and less convoluted.

Ultimately, there are countless issues that Supernatural season 16 will have to overcome, and even then, there will likely still be critics and haters. Regardless, if Padalecki’s wishes come true, then there is a chance that Supernatural season 16 will be a success and a very worthwhile endeavor. The series that has already for so many seasons can finally have the redemption arc that it has long deserved.