Supernatural stars sensationally reveal: We WILL be back for Season 6Special report by Morag Cuddeford-Jones
FANS of the hit US TV show Supernatural can breathe a sigh of relief after stars
Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles sensationally revealed that they would be returning for a sixth season.Speculation had been rife that the show's creator, Erik Kripke, was going to stick to his original idea of creating a five-year-only story for the hugely successful ghost-hunting show.
As they hunt their way across America with only a classic car and some serious weaponry for company, this story of two monster-chasing brothers has seen snowballing popularity.
But fans had feared that, with the finale of season four approaching on ITV2, they only had one more series to enjoy before its conclusion in spring 2010.
But, in Birmingham at the weekend for the show's European convention, Asylum 3, I spoke to both Jared and Jensen,
who take joint leads in the show as demon-slaying brothers Sam and Dean Winchester.
They confirmed that they had signed on the dotted line for season six.I asked Jensen if he'd made plans for any movies after he wrapped filming on series five. To begin with, he was playing his cards close to his chest:
"We find out around January time if the show is going to be picked up again for another season."But then he let it slip. I asked him if he'd want to go back for a sixth season and he answered:
"I have to. I have a six-year contract." Well, that settles that, then.
When Jared was asked what he planned to be doing after Supernatural Five, he simply answered:
"Supernatural Six. My best guess is that Supernatural will go beyond season five."Jared also credited the fans, both in the states and the UK, for getting it this far: "Thanks to all you guys. It's because you've been getting the word out and we really appreciate it."
Jensen added: "Kripke does only have a five-year contract for Supernatural and the studio doesn't have to carry it on for six seasons."
But it seems that the actors, fans and studio hotshots are all keen to see the show go on. Jared told me: "Season four has had the best viewing figures we've ever seen and it just seems to be on an upward curve so the studio's really keen to see more."
Fans at Asylum 3 in Birmingham's Hilton Metropole greeted the news with whoops of joy and a deafening round of applause.
However, Jared did issue a warning. Ironically, having just starred in a season four episode entitled Jump the Shark - a term used in the TV industry for the point when a show becomes too unbelievable to be watchable - Jared told the audience that if he felt the season six storyline was going to jump the shark for real, he wouldn't go on.
He said: "I was a huge fan of Lost - I'd never seen a drama series that I loved so much. But as I continued to watch it, it started to get complicated for the sake of being complicated. It could have been so complete, it could have just answered the questions that it asked as opposed to saying 'let's blow some stuff up and we'll figure it out later'. I don't want that to happen. If there's still a story to tell and still something for me to bring to the show as Sam Winchester, then absolutely."
The growing chasm between the otherwise tight-knit brothers has had fans biting their nails to the quick as the series progresses and it's not over yet.
The final two episodes will stretch our Winchester boys to the very limit although there's light at the end of the tunnel. Jensen revealed that the split in the brothers' relationship may be set to heal somewhat in season five after some sensational revelations in the upcoming season four finale, due to be shown in the UK on June 14.
And for those who want to see an end to 'demon Sam', Jared has some news: "I like the dark side! Demons are more fun to play."
He added that he didn't think it was possible for Sam to go on being the 'good' brother forever. "Sam has grown, he's changed. He'll be redeemed I'm sure, if something goes wrong, but I love the direction it's going in, I like the dynamic of brother versus brother."
So as the UK gears up to say goodbye to the Winchester boys for the long summer holiday, fans can relax, knowing this September won't be their favourite show's last run.
And seeing as we're in a revealing frame of mind, after John, Sam and Dean all dying at the end of seasons one, two and three, what can we expect from the season four finale?
Keep checking back for more exclusive updates from the Asylum 3 event, including cast interviews and latest tales from the set...
Pictures: Zsuzsanna Voros