Highlights From The ‘Supernatural’ Panel At Fan Expo Chicago 2026

Jared Padalecki and Mark Sheppard at Fan Expo Chi

Image Source: CultureSlate

A few weeks ago, I attended Fan Expo Chicago again. This is always a convention focused primarily on celebrities, and this year definitely delivered. One of my themes this weekend was Supernatural:I got a photo op and autograph fromJared Padalecki, who played Sam Winchester, and I also got to see his panel, where he joined Mark Sheppard and talked all about the show.

When Mark Sheppard, who played Crowley, came out, he informed the crowd that he was a Chicago Cubs fan, thanks to WGN playing in a bar in Hollywood. Back in 2016, for the final World Series game, he cost the set a lot of time because he would just keep watching the game, which, if you know how it ended, was completely understandable. Jared then goes into a 10-minute-long story he created when Mark Sheppard died and came back from his major heart issue.

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It involved the Devil, hell, and a front desk receptionist who seemed really tired of the whole thing. It was quite concerning how elaborate the story was, but Mark seemed to find it funny, as he was laughing throughout. 

Jared Padalecki and Mark Sheppard at Fan Expo Chi

Image Source: CultureSlate

Afterward, we eventually got into questions being asked and talking about the show. One of my favorite questions asked was who would break first if Sam and Crowley had to switch bodies? They both agreed that Sam would break first. Jared said that Sam wouldn’t shower and would have a much more difficult time when he realizes this is his life now, while in Crowley’s body. 

Mark Sheppard goes into a story about how he got the role of Crowley. He used to be friends with Kim Manners, who was a producer/director on the show, and passed away in 2009. They would go out to eat together and just kind of talk about whatever. Mark said it was never brought up to him about being on Supernatural. Until one day, he started talking to Kim Manner’s brother, who mentioned Crowley, and Mark seemed interested, and the rest is history. He’s extremely grateful for the role, as he wouldn’t be married to his wife if not for the show. A lot of the cast and crew came to his wedding as well. He treats every day as a gift, and that the audience kept them going and present. They both say that everywhere else they worked afterwards was changed due to their time on SPN. 

Jared Padalecki and Mark Sheppard

Image Source: CultureSlate

‘Mystery Spot’ was an episode in season 3 of Supernatural, and Jared talks about how much the “episode sucked”, and that it was the last episode filmed before thewriters' strike in 2008. While he likes the episode now, he absolutely hated filming it. He said it was stressful, and that he memorized his lines verbatim, yet Jensen Ackles, who played Dean Winchester, kept adding or removing words. He’s super proud of it now, but it was a lot of emotional stress at the time. 

As the show went on, Sam and Dean were very “lovingly” given nicknames by Crowley. Fans will know this as Moose and Squirrel. Mark said that he couldn’t really think of anything and just happened to say ‘Moose,’ and it just clicked. He also jokes and says it “was the greatest thing to happen to the world”. 

Supernatural lasted for an impressive 15 seasons on the CW. The show had a lasting impact, and to this day, it still has a huge, passionate fanbase. It was great getting to see the actors talk about the show and what it still means to them to this day.

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