With the Supernatural prequel The Winchesters in production, fans are wondering which beloved characters will make an appearance in the CW show. Supernatural has introduced a lot of returning characters over the years, but sometimes the very best of these characters often don't get the amount of screen time that they deserve.
A lot of these characters are fan-favorites and absolute scene-stealers, and some would argue that they are some of the funniest, most beloved characters in the whole show. Here are some of the best returning characters of Supernatural, and why they deserved more screen time.
Bobby Singer
It's no secret that John Winchester wasn't exactly a great dad. John often left his young sons in the care of his old hunting friend, Bobby Singer. Bobby played an important role in Sam and Dean's upbringing; he filled the void left by John, becoming the boys' surrogate father.
Even though Bobby is one of the most frequently recurring characters on the show, his time with the Winchester boys is cut too short. Bobby appears in every season until his untimely death in season 7. Although he returns briefly in season 8 and in the series finale, this is essentially his last moment in the show. Seven seasons of Bobby is just not enough, especially considering the special bond he shares with Sam and Dean.
Jo Harvelle
Even though Jo Harvelle is only in a handful of episodes, she is a uniquely compelling character. First appearing in Season 2, Jo hunts alongside Sam and Dean. Unfortunately, in season 5, Jo meets an untimely death, sacrificing herself to save Sam and Dean.
Jo only appears in a few episodes, but she is always fun to watch. Badass, feisty, and independent, she is one of the few strong women in a show that desperately needs good, strong female representation. Unfortunately, fans didn't get to see Jo hunting very much, and Jo's romantic involvement with Dean was never fully developed. It would have been nice to see more of her in later seasons, without sacrificing her to further Sam and Dean's story.
Gabriel
The archangel Gabriel makes his first appearance in season 2, but not as himself. For his first few appearances, Gabriel is disguised as Loki, the god of mischief. It isn't until season 5 that Gabriel is finally revealed to be an archangel. He appears a few more times before finally sacrificing himself for the Winchesters.
Gabriel is one of the most interesting characters on the show, walking the line between being a funny character and being a well-developed, complex character. As both an archangel and a trickster, Gabriel has proven himself to be a loyal ally to the Winchesters. Fans wish that Gabriel were given much more time on the screen, as he both lightens the mood and packs a powerful punch.
Jody Mills
Jody Mills is everyone's favorite sheriff/hunter/mom. After her husband and son are killed in a zombie attack in season 5, Jody becomes a hunter, running her own operation as well as working with the Winchesters every now and again. Later, Jody even adopts a few girls whose families have been killed by monsters, teaching them how to hunt and giving them a good education.
Oftentimes, Jody acts like Sam and Dean's mother figure, and they always seek her out whenever they need help. Even though Jody appears in the show consistently from season 5 to season 15, fans would certainly have loved to see more of her, especially since there were plans to create a spinoff series about Jody. Unfortunately, this series was canceled.
Charlie Bradbury
If Charlie Bradbury is in a Supernatural episode, fun is guaranteed. Lovable, chaotic redhead Charlie Bradbury instantly became a fan favorite after making her debut in season 7. An energetic computer hacker, she helps Sam and Dean foil the plans of Dick Roman. Charlie later returns as a hunter.
As a woman and a lesbian, Charlie fills a gaping void in the show. Supernatural isn't too diverse; it lacks strong female and LGBTQ+ representation. Unfortunately, Charlie meets a fate that a lot of women on Supernatural seem to share; she dies a grisly death in order to move Sam and Dean's story forward. Fans wish they were able to see more of Charlie. Her sisterly relationship with the Winchesters, Dean, in particular, is heartwarming to watch, and her time on the show ended too soon.
Garth Fitzgerald IV
Garth is one of the most entertaining and one of the sweetest characters, especially for a hunter, but he doesn't get the screen time that he deserves. He first meets the Winchesters in Season 7, and while Dean is annoyed with his fun-loving, goofy style at first, he quickly endears himself to the Winchesters. Even when he is turned into a werewolf, Garth is able to live a normal life, something that is unheard of.
Garth is a very memorable character; his lighthearted personality sets him apart from other hunters, and his determination to make the most peaceful life out of becoming a werewolf is irable. Even though Garth does not show up very often, it's always a lot of fun when he does.
Linda Tran
Linda Tran is more obscure than some of the other characters mentioned, but her impact on the Winchesters and her all-around badass personality makes her a fun character. In season 7, her son, Kevin, becomes a prophet of God, and despite being kidnapped and tortured, her determination to protect her son is unshakeable.
Linda packs a powerful punch, and her strength and grit impress even the Winchesters and the most seasoned hunters. Her unique role in the show and her tender relationship with her son makes her a compelling character, even though she only makes appearances in three seasons.
Benny Lafitte
Benny Lafitte has a complicated relationship with the Winchesters, especially Dean. A vampire, Benny meets Dean in Purgatory and works with him to get out. When they escape, Benny's relationship with Dean becomes more complex, as Sam refuses to trust him. When Sam gets stuck in Purgatory in season 9, Benny sacrifices himself to save him.
The primary reason that fans wish they were able to see more of Benny is his relationship with Dean. Even though nothing has been confirmed, a lot of fans think that the two have been romantically involved, considering that Dean is widely considered bisexual. Benny was quite a complex character who did not get enough time to develop his relationship with Dean.
Donna Hanscum
A goofy sheriff from Minnesota turned respected hunter, Donna Hanscum's path to hunting isn't conventional. In season 9, she meets Jody, who is investigating a vampire nest, and after meeting the Winchesters and helping them with the hunt, Jody teaches her how to be a hunter.
Donna is an incredibly loving and wholesome woman, even as a hunter. Her personality and sense of fun are infectious and she shines a bright light on dark times. The Winchesters always benefit from Donna's warm presence, and it would have been wonderful if she were in the show more.
Eileen Leahy
Eileen Leahy, an experienced hunter who is also deaf, is widely regarded as the woman Sam Winchester ends up with, but she is so much more than that. She first encounters the Winchesters in season 11, before dying in season 12 in a hellhound attack. Sam and Dean help bring her back to life, and her romance with Sam officially begins.
Eileen is an exceptional hunter, even when she is alone. She brings out a tender side of Sam that he doesn't show often. Fans were dismayed that they did not get to see more of Eileen, her solo hunting work, her partnership with the Winchesters, and her relationship with Sam. It has also never been confirmed that Sam's "blurry wife" at the end of the show is Eileen, though most fans choose to believe that.