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Nearly two decades have passed sinceSupernaturalfirst premiered, captivating audiences with its unique blend of horror, fantasy, and heartfelt storytelling. Over the years, the series has gone on from a regular fictional show about two guys from Kansas hunting ghosts, demons, ghouls, and everything in between, above and beyond to a TV show based on something more profound— themes of family, friendship, perseverance, love, and responsibility. Today, Dean Winchester and Sam Winchester are not just two fictional characters on the screens but rather cherished figures who hold a special place in the lives and hearts of millions of fans across the world.
Every time Dean stepped up for Sam, fans related to him as a sibling, family member, or friend who took on burdens they were never meant to carry, but they did so because of love. Every time Sam and Dean went through heaven and hell and saved the world over and over again, fans resonated with their experience, linking some of their toughest battles from their own lives to the fictional battles fought by the Winchester brothers, showcasing perseverance. Every time Sam and Dean formed new bonds and familial ties, many realized, longed, and found solace in the idea that sometimes blood is not all you need to call home.
However, none of this would have existed today without the vision of the creator, Eric Kripke. A prolific writer, it was Kripke’s genius that led to the creation of Dean and Sam, two brothers from Kansas, who in their search for their father, ended up saving the world— and their fans— over and over again in the course of 15 years. While the series ended in 2015, that one fine day in November, Kripke’s association with the series he created ended in season 5 ofSupernatural. And here is the reason why Kripke, who created one of the best fantasy TV shows of all time, decided to walk away after 5 years.
Reason Why Eric Kripke LeftSupernatural
In the history of the entertainment industry, there have been several TV shows and series that touch upon the themes of supernatural and supernatural entities, ranging from straight-up horror ones to comedy or drama. While several of them are not held in high regard and well commendable, there has hardly been a TV show quite likeSupernatural. And it won’t be far-fetched to say that nobody does or might ever do supernatural likeSupernaturaldoes!
The reason why it is so highly revered and loved across the world is all due to the series creator, writer, and producer,Eric Kripke. Now we all know howmuch of his life and time Kripke put into the series, spending years to get it done right. Yet, it has become a lingering question in the fandom as to why he ever left the show, especially at a point when the show was still well-loved by the public.
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Back in 2010, after stepping down as the showrunner, Kripke, in an exclusive interview withEntertainment Weeklyrevealed the following:
We were reaching the end of this five-year story line [so] I thought the timing was right. I knew that we were closing this chapter and opening a new one. It felt like it was the right time to take a step back and focus on new projects, but still keep my grubby little mitts in the show.
Adding on, Kripke revealed that he felt that after five years of his mind and efforts, the series needed something new and hence stepped away from the showrunner position to have Sera Gamble replace him.
It was a lot about Sera and her enthusiasm and her ambition. I really think after five years of all of my crap, to have someone who has a fresh perspective and a fresh energy on these characters and this universe is healthy for the show.Supernaturalhas always been a show about reinvention. We try really hard not to do the same thing. I thought that Sera’s [increased] involvement really helped guarantee that this season is going to feel a little different, a little fresher. She has a different sensibility.
Well, Kripke wasn’t wrong because, despite the somewhat lower ratings, seasons 6 and 7 have some of the best and most memorable episodes in the entire show. From the beloved entry of fan-favorite Balthazar to the classic The French Mistake and Jensen Ackles’ iconic Eye of the Tiger performance to Jared Padalecki’s Sam Winchester being trapped by a love potion, Lucifer’s arrival, and Bobby’s death, seasons 6 and 7 ofSupernaturalhave a brilliant yet harrowing combination of episodes that might not have been possible if Kripke was still the showrunner.
Eric Kripke Was Terrified of the Workload that 22-episodeSupernaturalDemanded
Part of the reason whySupernaturalstood out from the rest was its 22-episode+ seasons. Throughout its run, the fantasy TV show maintained a pretty high episode count, from season one to five having 22 episodes each, except for the third season which unfortunately only had 16 episodes in total. This episode count, more than the modern average naturallydemanded a lot of work and effort, even more so since the series tackled the ‘supernatural’ genre based on mythology.
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Crafting the perfect episode, even if it was meant to serve as a filler, meant spending hours in the writer’s room, which was another reason why Eric Kripke decided to step down as the showrunner. Years after working together onSupernatural, Kripke reunited with Sera Gamble, the showrunner of seasons 6 and 7, for a chat in 2020. While they exchanged notes on their time together in the series, they also talked about the creator’s decision to step away as the showrunner.
In the video posted on Gamble’sYouTubechannel, Kripke remarked,
People don’t quite understand what 22 episodes are like. When people really connect to the show, if they understood the absolute f–king chaos that was happening to bring them something that they love, I think they’d be horrified.
Yet, he added that his decision to leave was never really about workload or exhaustion but rather a strategic decision taken so that the show would not suffer.
The creative never suffered through the first four years. And I’m not saying it suffered in season 5 but for the first time, I felt weirdly sloppier than I was in the past. That scared me. I felt a real responsibility for it to be as great as I could make it for as long as I could make it … My main primary goal in the room [in season 5] was to get through the break because I had 22 [episodes] to do. Once that became one of my motivations, that really scared me.
Hence, a decision more rooted in the care, love, and responsibility he had towards the show, the cast and crew, and the fans, Erik Kripke decided to take a step back and bring on someone as dedicated as he was to Supernatural. Although it was sad to see him go, it ultimately turned out to be the best for the series ran for 10 more seasons and roped in several talented people who helped makeSupernaturalthe enduring gem it is today.
Eric Kripke Stepped Down as the Showrunner But Never Really LeftSupernatural
It has been four years since the final episode ofSupernaturalaired. Four years since the fans saw Sam and Dean on the screens for the last time and four years since the tale of the Winchesters brothers came to a close. However, whileErik Kripke’s association with the show apparently ended back in 2010, he did not really step away from the show entirely.
While talking to Entertainment Weekly, back after stepping down as the showrunner, Kripke had stated,
I see my job as being a safety net and just making sure that the show falls in the broadest possible parameters…. Sera and Bob [Singer] are pitching episode ideas to me. I’m in the room so far for every episode break. I pitch a couple of episode ideas, pitch a couple issues of how to fix some problems and some breaks. I’m giving some script notes. I’m still in it; I think, frankly, Sera and Bob wish I backed the hell up. [Laughs]
After stepping down as the showrunner, he ended up assuming more of an advisory role in the show. Serving as an executive consultant from season 7 to the final season, the writer once remarked toColliderthat he is always there if they need him. Even in May 2024, when talking about the show’s possible revival, he remarked that he is open to returning if any worthwhile and intriguing story comes through (viaCollider).
While Eric Kripke might have quit as the showrunner, his association with the series never ended. Even now, four years after the series ended, he has continued to work with several former cast members of the series, even bringing in actors like Jensen Ackles, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Rob Benedict, Jim Beaver, and many more for a little ‘Supernatural‘ reunion in his Prime Video TV series,The Boys.
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And so, though the series has ended, its impact and magic lives on, inspiring fans across the world, who couldn’t be more grateful today for the day Erik Kripke came across the idea of the series and decided to go forth with it. Creating something truly magical and extraordinary, Kripke will always remain part of theSupernaturalfamily just as the series will remain a part of his life and legacy for nothing really ends in the world of Dean and Sam Winchester.
Supernaturalis available to be streamed on Netflix.
Maria Sultan
Senior Writer
Articles Published :2703
Maria Sultan is a dedicated News Content Writer at FandomWire. With over five years of professional experience and hundreds of published articles, she brings a wealth of expertise to her coverage of Marvel, K-dramas, and the latest on streaming platforms.Her work is not just about reporting news; it’s about providing insightful perspectives on the entertainment trends that matter most.
