Summary
It was recently announced that The CW is cancelingWalkerprior to its fifth season, and now that the network has a gap where the Western drama used to be, they can fill it with a highly anticipated return:Supernaturalseason 16. For months now, there has been discussion about the possibility ofSupernaturalreturning for a 16th season. The speculation began in 2023 after the show’s stars, Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles, revealed that conversations were being had about a return. Now, fans are eagerly waiting a new season andWalker’scancelation may present a perfect opportunity.
After being acquired by Nexstar, The CW has faced some major changes to its operations. Although the network used to be known forThe CW’s original showslikeThe Vampire DiariesandThe 100,it is now replacing much of its scripted drama with sports and game show entertainment.The big push here from Nexstar is to get The CW into a place where it is profitable again, however that means sacrificing some of the network’s biggest shows. That is whereWalker’scancelation comes into play.The CW canceledWalkersimply becauseit cost too much to justify keeping it alive.
The 12 Most Important Supernatural Episodes That Defined The Show
Supernatural has more than 300 episodes in the series run, but a few of these episodes completely change the tone and course of the entire series.
The CW Canceling Walker Makes Supernatural Season 16 More Likely
Supernatural 16 has a place to air
Now thatWalkerhas been canceled,Supernaturalseason 16 is much more likely. There are two reasons for this. First and foremost,Supernaturalaired on The CW for 15 seasons, and in turn, was one of the network’s most successful shows. In this way, itseems likely that the network would want the show back if it returned for a sixteenth season. Furthermore, withWalkernow canceled, there is a spot open forSupernaturalto air. As Nexstar continues acquiring new rights to sports and entertainment, they could also sink their teeth back into theSupernaturalfranchise.
The other aspect ofWalker’scancelation that makesSupernaturalmore possible is Jared Padalecki. A big part ofSupernaturalseason 16 happening isfinding time when both Padalecki and Ackles are available to work on it. In recent years, Padalecki’s biggest piece of work wasWalker.However, now that the series is officially over, Padalecki should have plenty of time to tackle the next stage ofSupernatural.WhileWalker’scancelation is likely a disappointment for the actor, it isbeneficial that he is now free to pursue other projects, namelySupernatural’sreturn.
A Supernatural Return Makes Sense For Jared Padalecki After Walker’s Ending
Supernatural 16 can keep Padalecki in the spotlight
Working onSupernaturalright afterWalkerwould be beneficial for Jared Padalecki. Padalecki didSupernaturalfor so long that it could have easily put him into a box as “theSupernaturalguy,” howeverWalkergave him a chance to prove himself. His role inWalkertold audiences he was committed to continuing his career, even after 15 years ofSupernatural.And now thatWalkeris over, it makes sense that Padalecki would return toSupernatural.
WalkerandSupernaturalwere his two most profitable shows, and it seems safer to stick with their odds than those of an entirely new show.
Furthermore, Jared Padalecki has had a good thing going with The CW. It seems likely that he hasformed close relationships with those at the network, especially since becoming an executive producer onWalker.In this way, Padalecki and The CW both know what to expect from each other, which is a safer bet thanSupernaturalturning to a new network. Overall, Padalecki returning toSupernaturaland The CW afterWalker’scancelationensures that the series will feel as it always did, even though it has been four years since the finale of Supernatural.
What Jensen Ackles & Jared Padalecki Have Said About Supernatural Season 16’s Chances
Padalecki & Ackles have confirmed a potential season 16
As previously mentioned, Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles were the ones who brought upSupernaturalseason 16 in the first place. At the 2023 Creation Honolulu convention, the actors were on a panel wherein theyconfirmed that continuingSupernaturalwould be a possibility. While Ackles told audiences to stay tuned, Padalecki said, “I have some ideas, and I hope that now that the writers are back, and the actors are back, that we all get together.” Later, in an interview withCollider,Padalecki offered a condition toSupernaturalseason 16’sreturn.
Padalecki revealed that he and Ackles would ideally like to return forSupernaturalseason 16 if it is “a labor of love.” More specifically, hedoes not want to return just to return, and wants the newest season to be something special and logical with the ending ofSupernatural.In other interviews, Padalecki mentioned shorter seasons and this could certainly be a helpful avenue. Furthermore, audiences may enjoy a venture back toSupernatural’sdark horror roots. Regardless,Supernaturalseason 16 is a definite possibility, andWalker’scancelation may be just the thing.
