time when being a diehard fan meant simply tuning in to watch every week. Twit-
ter didn’t exist, and success was measured almost exclusively by ratings. And
althoughSupernatural has always been consistent in the viewer department, there
was something else that made the series stand out. Year after year, as the stories
got bigger and bolder—hunting monsters became stopping an apocalypse, defeat-
ing rogue angels became battling God’s sister—the show’s steady viewership
evolved into a cult following and ultimately, a full-blown fandom. Cut to 2017,
where being a diehard fan means tuning in, live-tweeting, and attending one of the
more than 16 fan conventions held annually across the country. Heading into its
13th season, which premiered Oct. 12 at 8 p.m., Supernaturalis leading the charge
on what it means to be a “fandom” these days. Anyone can attend a convention,
but whenSupernaturalshowed up at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, it kicked
off its panel with the rock band Kansas performing the show’s unofficial theme
song, “Carry On Wayward Son.” Anyone can live-tweet, but when Hurricane Har-
vey hit Houston—the first in a string of devastating storms—theSupernatural
stars took their characters’ mission to save people and made it a reality, starting a
fund to help those who were impacted by the storms. Fans rallied behind the stars
as they asked for donations on Twitter and together, the #SPNFamily helped raise
more than $450,000 (and counting), proving that, when it comes toSupernatural,
even fandom is a family business. “This particular fandom has become a real com-
munity, and people have found a home there,” star Misha Collins says.
It’s a community that clearly thrives in the age of social media. Together,
stars Collins, Padalecki, and Ackles have more than 8 million Twitterfollowers, with the show’s official
Facebook garnering more than
16 million likes. For a show that was
born in simpler times—and features
two brothers who still prefer cassette
tapes—Supernaturalseems tailor-
made for 2017. That’s why it was no
surprise when The CW gave the
series an early renewal for its 13th
season. But instead of playing it safe,
the writers plan to kick things up a
notch this year: Altogether, season 13
will test the waters for a potential
spin-off, fulfill a long-held dream of
an animated episode, and introduce a
new central player when Lucifer’s
son, Jack (series regular Alexander
Calvert), moves in with the Win-
chesters. “The big thing with us is:
How do we keep it fresh?” Singer
says. “We just felt there’s so much
opportunity with Jack. It’s a big
swing again, but somehow we always
manage to keep the show grounded
( Clockwise from
far left )Alex-
ander Calvert,
Padalecki, and
Ackles; Adrian
Holmes, Kim
Rhodes, and
Ackles; Collins
and AcklesCALVERT, PADALECKI, AND ACKLES: JACK ROWAND/THE CW; HOLMES, RHODES, AND ACKLES: BETTINA STRAUSS/THE CW; COLLINS AND ACKLES: THE CW