“I wanted to cry”: When Jared Padalecki struggled to shoot an episode of Supernatural

For over fifteen years, Supernatural kept viewers hooked with its horror, comedy, and drama. The show starred Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles as the demon-slaying siblings, Sam and Dean Winchester, whose strong bond often formed the emotional backbone of the series.

Though the actors brought these characters to life, some scenes were equally tough on them off-screen. At a Supernatural event at MegaCon Orlando (February 6-9, 2025), Jared Padalecki talked about one of the hardest moments he experienced on set—when Sam Winchester died in the Season 2 finale. Padalecki recalled:

“At the end of Season 2, maybe the beginning of Season 3, when Sam dies... Jensen is—or Dean—is kind of like crying over Sam’s dead body.”

He also elaborated:

“And I was there, and I was trying so hard not to breathe… And I remember, that was a really difficult—ironically—very difficult shoot. Cause, I wanted to cry.”

Even though filming that scene was emotionally draining for Padalecki, it underscored the connection between the Winchester brothers, which became the beating heart of Supernatural's appeal to fans.

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Supernatural plot is more than just monster-hunting

From its beginning in 2005, Supernatural stood out from the crowd of horror shows by focusing on the heart of the story. Sure, it had its share of ghosts to chase and demons to fight, but what truly captured people's hearts was the deep connection between the two main characters, Sam and Dean Winchester.

Their adventures were about so much more than just the supernatural, they were about love, sacrifice, and the pain of losing the people we hold dear.

One of the most heartbreaking moments came in the Season 2 finale, "All Hell Breaks Loose: Part One." It's there that Sam meets his end, stabbed by a demon's knife. He dies in Dean's arms, and in the scene, you can feel the raw emotion between the brothers. Dean, desperate not to lose his little brother, makes a deal with a demon at a crossroads to bring Sam back to life.

Ackles, who plays Dean, was so convincing in his grief that even Padalecki, who plays Sam, had a hard time keeping it together despite knowing he had to stay still. But that wasn't the only time the show tugged at our heartstrings. The Season 5 finale, "Swan Song," had Sam's ultimate sacrifice to save the world by stopping Lucifer. And the final goodbye came in the show's finale, "Carry On."

These scenes drove home what Supernatural was all about: family, sticking together through thick and thin, and unyielding love and loyalty for those closest to us. It showed us that in the end, it's not about the battles we fight with monsters, but the ones for the people we care about that really matter.

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The Supernatural cast has been a family off-screen too

Padalecki and Ackles didn't just play siblings on the show, they grew an incredibly close, life-long bond. They weren't just acting, their friendship was real. And it wasn't just them - multiple of the show's cast members fell in love and built strong connections because of the show. Padalecki even met his wife, Genevieve, while filming. Other stars, like DJ Qualls and Ty Olsson, met their significant others at fan gatherings aka Supernatural conventions.

The show didn't just affect the people who made it, it touched the hearts of the viewers too. Padalecki went through tough times with his mental health, but he turned that into something positive. He started a campaign called "Always Keep Fighting" to help those dealing with depression. The show thus gave him a platform to help others.

At MegaCon Orlando, he talked about how much he gave to the show, but he also said how thankful he is for the love and backing from the fans. It's been off the air for a bit, but the fans still love it.

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If you want to watch the Winchesters' adventures again or check out what all the fuss is about, you can find Supernatural on Netflix.

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