The longest-running series in The CW’s history, Supernatural started out following brothers Sam and Dean Winchester as they road-tripped across the country in their 1967 Chevy Impala and hunted everything from ghosts to vampires. The show premiered on The WB in 2005 at a time when being a diehard fan meant simply tuning in to watch every week. Twitter didn’t exist, and success was measured almost exclusively by ratings. And although Supernatural 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, defeating 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., Supernatural is leading the charge on what it means to be a “fandom” these days. Anyone can attend a convention, but when Supernatural showed 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 Harvey hit Houston – the first in a strong of devastating storms – the Supernatural stars took their characters’ mission to save people and make 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 to Supernatural, even fandom is a family business. “This particular fandom has become a real community, and people have found a home there,” star Misha Collins says.
“Supernatural: Two Winchesters and a dead angel spill secrets from beyond the grave (and the season 13 set).” Entertainment Weekly, October 20/27, 2017. [print] (via justanotheridijiton)