“There wasn't a lot for me to do”: When Jeffrey Dean Morgan thought he would only appear in one episode of Supernatural

Supernatural is one of the beloved TV shows that fans love to rewatch, not only because it has two handsome brothers fighting evil, but also for making every character feel important in limited screen time.

While Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki played Dean and Sam, The Walking Dead star Jeffrey Dean Morgan portrayed their father, John Winchester. His character plays a huge role in the beginning of the series, even if he doesn't appear in every episode.

Interestingly, Dean Morgan initially thought he would only appear in the Supernatural pilot. While sharing his experience, the actor said (via Variety):

"There wasn't a lot for me to do. I remember thinking, 'Well, this'll be a job that I'll work a couple of days and go on to the next thing, because there's no way I'm gonna come back and be the father of Jared and Jensen.'"

When Morgan took on the role, he didn't expect it to turn into anything major for him. At the time, he saw it as just another short gig—something he'd film for a day or two before moving on to his next project.

Keep reading to explore what else the actor said about his part in the hit drama.

When Jeffrey Dean Morgan shared his first impression of Supernatural

Jeffrey Dean Morgan once shed light on his first impression of Supernatural and even shared a memory that really stuck with him. Initially, John's role seemed small: just a flashback scene where his character reacts to the horrifying death of his wife.

Since Sam and Dean were already grown-ups, Jeffrey Dean Morgan thought his character wouldn't be needed for much more beyond that brief glimpse into the past. The actor said:

"I remember there was one shot in particular, and I can’t believe I remember this, but it was me sitting on the iconic 'Supernatural' car which started off being John’s..."

In that powerful shot, Dean sat on the now-iconic black Chevy Impala—a car that originally belonged to John Winchester. The camera then zoomed in on his face, capturing John’s intense expression as he silently vowed revenge on the unseen force that killed his wife.

Morgan recalled feeling the emotional weight of that scene, but at the same time, he didn’t think it would lead to anything long-term. In his mind, that was probably the last time he’d work with that cast or be part of the show.

Still, the actor had a good first impression of the people on set, especially Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki, whom he liked right from the beginning. Since it was just a pilot episode at that point.

His only hope was that the show would get picked up and that the team he enjoyed working with would have the chance to continue. Jeffrey Dean Morgan didn’t expect to return, let alone become part of a fan-favorite legacy in one of the most iconic genre shows in TV history.

Also Read: Is Supernatural leaving Netflix in 2025? Streaming details of the hit horror drama, explored

What happened to John Winchester in Supernatural?

John Winchester's story begins with the tragic death of his wife, Mary who was murdered by the demon Azazel under mysterious circumstances. From that moment, John changed from being a normal father and husband to a man thrust into taking revenge.

John becomes obsessed with hunting down Azazel, which drives most of his decisions in the series. As he turns into a full-time hunter of the supernatural, John also raises his sons in that same world.

They move from place to place, fighting monsters, which also affects them emotionally. Despite family tensions, the boys never gave up and followed what their father taught them.

John’s arc takes a major turn in Season 2. After a car accident, which turns out to have been orchestrated by the very demon he’s been chasing. This happens in the episode "In My Time of Dying," where Dean is also hospitalized and John strikes a deal with Azazel to save his son.

But the cost is steep. John gives up his own soul, along with the Colt, which is a rare, magical gun known to be capable of killing almost any supernatural being. This decision seals his fate, and John dies shortly after, leaving his sons heartbroken.

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Also Read: I firmly believe Dean Winchester deserved a better ending in Supernatural, and this Season 12 storyline proves it

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