Sterling K. Brown, known for his acclaimed roles in This Is Us and American Crime Story, reminisced about his character's demise on Supernatural. Despite being nominated for Best Supporting Actor in American Fiction, Brown still cherishes his time as hunter Gordon Walker on the hit show.
During an interview on The Drew Barrymore Show, Brown shared his reflections on his guest stint on Supernatural.
Brown, a Black actor, reflects on his experience of having to die on-screen multiple times. He reveals that his preferred death scene was the gruesome decapitation of Gordon Walker on Supernatural. Below is Brown's memorable quote on the matter.
As a Black actor, death is a common occurrence on screen. It's just the reality of the industry.
One of my most memorable deaths was on Supernatural, where I portrayed a vampire hunter who ultimately met his demise by being bitten and beheaded by a vampire. Despite the grim ending, it was a fun and enjoyable experience.
Sterling K. Brown’s Supernatural Role & Death, Explained
Gordon was meant to stick around longer than he did.
This collage shows Dean and Sam in the forest looking over at Gordon Walker who stares at his knife. - Gordon was meant to stick around longer than he did. - Sterling K. Brown’s Supernatural Role & Death, Explained
Gordon makes appearances in four episodes of Supernatural, featuring in two episodes of season 2 and then returning for two more in season 3. He crosses paths with Sam and Dean Winchester while they are on a vampire hunt, having previously met their father, John Winchester. However, tensions arise due to conflicting views on how to deal with supernatural entities. Gordon advocates for the ruthless elimination and torture of anything non-human, whereas the Winchester brothers take a more compassionate approach, showing tolerance towards supernatural beings that pose no threat to humans.
Gordon and the brothers become adversaries, with Gordon even convincing a fellow hunter to go after Sam. Gordon grows more villainous, especially once he is turned into a vampire. This leads to Gordon's death in the Supernatural season 3 episode "Fresh Blood" as Sam decapitates Gordon with a garrote improvised from razor wire. The character is mentioned a few more times in the series, coming up in season 4 and again in season 6.
Series creator Eric Kripke has mentioned that there were plans for Brown to remain on Supernatural for longer, intended for a multi-episode arc that would have prolonged his battle against Sam. However, because the actor was contracted to the Lifetime drama series Army Wives, Brown was only able to come back for two episodes. Still, in that time, he had an impactful exit.
Supernatural is available to stream on Netflix.
Source: The Drew Barrymore Show
Editor's P/S:
The article highlights Sterling K. Brown's insightful reflections on his role as Gordon Walker in "Supernatural." Brown's candid discussion about the prevalence of on-screen deaths for Black actors sheds light on the industry's disheartening reality. However, his revelation that his most memorable death scene was the gruesome decapitation of his character underscores the complex and multifaceted experiences of Black actors. While it may be a testament to Brown's exceptional talent, it also raises questions about the limitations and stereotypes that continue to shape the roles available to them.
Brown's character, Gordon, initially appears as a formidable ally to the Winchester brothers, but his descent into villainy and untimely demise underscore the complexities of the supernatural world. The original plans for a prolonged arc suggest that Brown's character had the potential to become a more developed antagonist, further exploring the tensions between different approaches to dealing with supernatural threats. Yet, the actor's prior commitments limited his involvement, leaving a sense of what could have been. Nonetheless, Brown's impactful exit remains a memorable moment in the series, showcasing his versatility and the enduring appeal of "Supernatural."