'Supernatural' Season 14 Will Only Have 20 Episodes; Reason For Cutback Expected To Be Explained At 2018 San Diego Comic-Con
The CW had been given the green light for Supernatural Season 14 in April. It was great news for the fans of Sam and Dean Winchester. But Supernatural fans got dismayed when the network announced this week that the 14th season would only have 20 episodes—three episodes less than the normal count in the past years.
The cutback was unusual for the series as every season of Supernatural, since it first aired in 2005, consisted of either 22 or 23 episodes except for Season 3 in 2007 to 2008. The third installment only had 16 episodes due to a writers' strike that affected the production of many TV shows in Hollywood.
Although some said it was just a minor cutback, and it is better than being canceled, many would still want to know why they will see less of the Winchester brothers next season. At the moment, it is unclear why The CW decided to air fewer episodes as it hasn't released a statement about it.
Comicbook noted that the Supernatural fandom has no reason to be worried about the show's future for now since the network is expanding its original programming. From the original five-weekday slate, The CW will do six-day programming or from Sunday through Friday.
Moreover, network president Mark Pedowitz previously assured viewers that Supernatural would carry on as long as Jared Padalecki (Sam) and Jensen Ackles (Dean) would never quit on playing their monster-hunter characters.
"As long as the boys want to do it and ratings hold, Supernatural will stay on the air," Pedowitz said during The CW panel at 2017 TCA press tour when asked about the show's longevity.
The two lead stars remain committed to the show, but Padalecki and Ackles could have probably asked their bosses to reduce the number of Season 14 episodes. They are both married and are fathers and have other personal businesses to attend to as well. Padalecki and Ackles may have requested the network to cut back the episodes so they can spend more time with their respective families.
As for the ratings, Supernatural still enjoys being one of the highest rated shows on The CW which is extremely hard to accomplish for series that run for over a decade. The cast and bosses of the show have credited the series' success to the show's strong fanbase.
For now, viewers can only speculate on the reasons for the cutback since The CW hasn't issued a statement about it. The soonest that fans could get a definite answer is at the 2018 San Diego Comic-Con that is scheduled for July 18-22. The Supernatural panel is set to appear at Hall H on July 22 at 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Meanwhile, Supernatural Season 14 is scheduled to premiere on October 11 at 8/7c. It could pick up right after the events of the previous installment or could have a time jump.
Dean, who was controlled by Archangel Michael (Christian Keyes) in the finale, could already cause havoc on Earth while Sam, Castiel (Misha Collins), Mary (Samantha Smith), Jack (Alexander Calvert), and the rest of the team are struggling to control him.
