Supernatural fans have taken to Reddit to highlight a noticeable issue with the series.
Whether due to the time it was filmed, or the general preference of those responsible for casting, all the main characters are white. There seem to be no people of colour appearing in the main roles anywhere throughout all 15 seasons.
It is a contentious point because there does not seem to be a simple answer to this phenomenon. Some fans simply lean on the notion that the lack of diversity is due to the time the show was made.
Those who agree cite that Supernatural ran from 2005 until 2020, commenting that this was before much of the world became “woke” and stopped having all-white casts in popular shows.
Fans seem to in general agree that television shows only started embracing diversity within recent years, and while Supernatural was still on the air just over two years ago, it still commenced in 2005.
The idea of introducing a main character so late in the series run would have likely felt odd and forced. And any attempt at a main character would not have been done reasonable justice. It is difficult when a show has already become so well established and the casting landscape for television begins to change all around it. They can either remain as they are or adapt to new climates. But either way, they are sure to upset people.
But the timing excuse does not seem to fly with many fans who simply level further criticism at the series. The criticism is that this makes the show very dated and therefore, less enjoyable to watch as the years wear on. To some fans, it feels like a hallmark back to a time when racism on television was not just accepted, it was expected. While Supernatural was not overtly racist, it is seen by some fans as being covertly so, by failing to have more people of colour in the main cast.
Some fans have leaped to the show’s defence, highlighting that the lack of minority characters makes it more realistic. They explain that certain races are absent (or appear very little) precisely because they are a minority, therefore, do not appear as often as white people in real life.
This opinion has proven very unpopular for obvious reasons. Those in agreement with it have been branded racist and it has sparked quite a controversy.
Most fans seem to be supportive and indeed sympathetic to the casting dilemmas of Supernatural. And they feel that while it does somewhat result in the show not aging well in some regards, they still feel it is worth watching again and again. Because even with its flaws, Supernatural remains a fantastic show with wonderful characters, brilliant stories, and some of the most memorable moments in television history.
