SMALLVILLE’s Tom Welling Joins THE WINCHESTERS in Nostalgic Casting

Fans of Supernatural rejoiced when they heard they didn’t have to say goodbye to the favorite universe yet. Because a new Supernatural prequel series is in progress. And good news, The Winchesters series has found its leads, John and Mary Winchester. Jeffery Dean Morgan, of course, famously portrayed John Winchester in the original show. And Matt Cohen took a turn playing him as well. Mary Winchester, meanwhile, got brought to life by Samantha Smith and Amy Gumenick. And now, Variety reports, two new actors, Drake Rodger and Meg Donnelly will join the Supernatural universe as John and Mary. They, of course, will be joined by other new and familiar franchise characters. And happily, after getting our first look at the series, we’ve learned it is coming our way sooner rather than later. Per Deadline, it will release on October 11.

Additionally, The Winchesters has revealed that no other than Smallville‘s almost-Superman Clark Kent, Tom Welling, will play Samuel Campbell, Mary’s dad and Sam and Dean’s grandfather, on the show. According to Deadline, “Gruff and pragmatic, he’s a veteran Hunter who prefers actions over words—and it’s always his way or the highway. But when Samuel teams up with Mary and her friends to save the world, he won’t only have to defeat the most dangerous monster he’s ever faced—he’ll also have to mend his broken relationship with his daughter. Welling will make his first appearance as Samuel Campbell in episode seven.”

We have to say, this is a true meeting of the The CW/The WB royalty. We’re sure fans will love the nostalgia factor of Supernatural meets Smallville.

Here’s what we have to look forward to.

The Winchesters First Look Photos and Lead Casting

We are definitely getting the Supernatural vibes from those shots. Although new faces are in front of the camera, the DNA of the original show is strong in these glimpses. From the eerie light of the flashlight to the flicker of fire from John’s torch, we’re transported right back into the world of hunters and demons.

We got glimpses of John and Mary Winchester’s life before Sam and Dean in Supernatural itself. But this Supernatural prequel series will delve deeper into how they met one another and formed the union that would one day save the world. (Many times over.) Variety shares more about John and Mary in The Winchesters:

The Winchesters‘ Full Cast

In addition to John and Mary, The Winchesters has now cast another role, that of Millie Winchester, Sam and Dean’s paternal grandmother, a.k.a. John Winchester’s mother. Legacies’ Bianca Kajlich will play Millie Winchester.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, “Kajlich’s character, Millie, is hard-working and tough and has done the bulk of parenting in her family for the past 15 years. She has always worried John, a Vietnam veteran, would take after his father and wanted to prevent him from pursuing a dangerous life. She is now coming to grips with the fact that this is exactly what John plans to do.”

Demetria McKinney also joins the show. According to Deadline, she will play “will play Ada Monroe. Studious and sharp, Ada Monroe is a bookstore owner who also takes interest in the mysteries of the occult.”

Deadline also previously reported that Station 19‘s Nida Khurshid and “newcomer Jojo Fleites” joined The Winchesters pilot. The publication shared, “Khurshid will play Latika Desai. Fiercely intelligent and braver than she believes, Latika Desai is a young hunter-in-training whose research and problem-solving skills help her face her fears in battling dark forces.” Meanwhile, “Fleites will portray Carlos Cervantez. Easygoing and confident, Carlos is a natural when it comes to fighting demons and a boost of positivity for the team as it takes on more serious threats.”

We can’t wait to see who gets cast next.

More About The Winchesters

Another Supernatural show, another disappeared father. Like mother, like sons. But though the series will focus on Mary and John, we won’t entirely lose touch with what made the original so great. Jensen Ackles serves as an executive producer on the show alongside his wife, Daneel. Supernatural‘s Robbie Thompson writes and executive produces as well. Ackles will also return to narrate The Winchesters. He previously told Deadline:

Dean loved his family more than anything in the world. And so, as Ackles suggests, it makes total sense for him to be really entrenched in the narrative going forward (and backward.)

Supernatural had one famous duo in Sam and Dean and with John and Mary’s casting, a new Winchester pair will take center stage in its prequel. We can’t wait to see how the new show continues to come together. Although Supernatural had many seasons on the air, The Winchesters promise to add yet more nuance and meaning to the world so many love. So, if you need us, you can find us rewatching John and Mary’s best episodes to prepare for more of Winchester’s adventures. Because when this franchise says “a family business,” it means it.

According to Variety, The Winchesters will air on Tuesday nights at 8 pm ET. And as mentioned, it will release on October 11. The Winchesters has been given a series order by the network.

Originally published on March 21, 2022.