Supernatural squandered numerous promising characters throughout its 15-season run, despite featuring exceptional anti-heroes and villains. While the show garnered a devoted fan base and had an enthralling storyline centered around the Winchester brothers, it often failed to fully explore the potential of certain characters. This was evident in the rushed subplots of powerful monsters and the abrupt deaths of significant love interests for Sam and Dean, which only served to heighten the dramatic tension of specific seasons. Moreover, the underdevelopment of female characters before their demise was a particularly disliked aspect among viewers. However, this issue extended beyond virtuous heroes, as the early seasons of Supernatural also underutilized a plethora of memorable villains due to its "monster of the week" format.
10 Charlie
Felicia Day’s delightful portrayal of Charlie brought a lighthearted and enjoyable energy to multiple seasons of Supernatural. Her vibrant and cheerful personality provided a refreshing contrast to the rugged masculinity embodied by the Winchester brothers, making her a captivating counterpart to the duo. However, the untimely demise of Charlie at the hands of the Styne family was a regrettable mistake that was even more disheartening considering her growing popularity. While it can be argued that her death indirectly played a role in Dean's release of the Darkness, which was fueled by the influence of the Mark of Cain, this reasoning falls short in justifying her premature departure from the show.
9 Bela
Bela, unlike many of the Supernatural characters mentioned here, did not possess a heroic persona. In fact, compared to other villains in the show, she lacked complexity. Bela utilized her supernatural perception to deceive both humans and demons, engaging in a perilous game that would inevitably lead to her downfall. Despite her seemingly irredeemable nature, Bela stood out as a rare human antagonist who could match the skills of the Winchester brothers. As her backstory unraveled, it became apparent that her villainous ways stemmed from relatable motives. However, by this point, her destiny had already been sealed.
8 Garth
Legendary character actor DJ Qualls is known for his diverse roles in popular shows like Breaking Bad and Road Trip. However, it is his portrayal of the underrated hunter Garth in Supernatural that resonates with many viewers. Garth made regular appearances in seasons 8 and 9 of the show, but unfortunately, his character seemed to be forgotten after he transformed into a werewolf. Despite a few brief appearances in seasons 12 and 14, Supernatural missed the opportunity to fully explore the comedic dynamic between Garth and the heroic Winchester brothers, Sam and Dean. What's more, Garth's transformation and his choice to live as a werewolf added an intriguing layer to the show's portrayal of monsters, which unfortunately went unexplored.
7 Meg
Introduced in Supernatural season 1, Meg was a unique antagonist with a shared goal of defeating Crowley, just like the Winchester brothers. While primarily focused on her own interests, Meg was not opposed to collaborating with allies of good when it aligned with her own agenda. This unexpected alliance with the Winchesters during their confrontation with Crowley had the potential to establish her as a more heroic character in future episodes. However, this opportunity was tragically cut short when Crowley ruthlessly ended her life immediately after she assisted Dean and Sam.
6 Eve
Supernatural's Eve proved to be a formidable adversary, surpassing even Castiel's strength. What set her apart was not just her power, but also her genuine motive - the protection of her "children," the other monsters she had created. Unfortunately, like many compelling TV villains, Eve's intricate motivations and tragic backstory couldn't save her from the fate of being a one-season wonder. Before her potential could be fully explored, she met her demise after only three episodes.
5 Agent Henrickson
Agent Henrickson dedicated a significant amount of time in his pursuit of the Winchesters, firmly convinced that they were nothing more than deranged serial killers. However, just as he was on the verge of realizing the existence of supernatural phenomena and extending a helping hand to the brothers, his life was tragically cut short by Lilith. This unfortunate turn of events also extinguished the potential for an intriguing storyline where human law enforcement could have collaborated with Sam and Dean's supernatural law enforcement efforts.
4 Anna
Dean’s love interest in seasons 4/5 was an angel who yearned to experience life as a human. Despite her strong bond with Dean and her ability to hold her own against adversaries, she unfortunately fell victim to brainwashing upon her return to Heaven. Tragically, she was swiftly eliminated after being turned against the Winchesters. The immense popularity of Castiel among Supernatural viewers meant that only one heroic angel character could survive, leaving fans who admired Anna and saw potential in her future feeling disheartened.
3 Kevin
Kevin Tran started off as a likable sidekick for the Supernatural boys, but unfortunately, his new role brought about devastating consequences. He not only lost his mother and girlfriend, but he also met his demise at the hands of Sam (while possessed). Even in death, the fate of his ghost remains uncertain. Throughout the series, there were numerous attempts to expand Sam and Dean's dynamic duo into a trio, but Kevin's early appearances were especially poignant due to his endearing and slightly nerdy personality.
2 Missouri Moseley
Missouri Moseley, a character introduced in Supernatural season 1, added an intriguing twist to the classic horror trope of a "fake" psychic. Unlike what she initially appeared to be, Missouri was actually deeply connected to paranormal phenomena. With a family history involving the Winchester brothers, she provided valuable assistance to them in their supernatural endeavors. However, her presence was limited to just one episode in season 13, where she met a tragic demise. Despite the introduction of Bobby Singer as a main character to fill the void left by Missouri, the series never fully explored the potential of this compelling supporting star.
1 Jo
Jo went from being a girl next door ingénue to a skilled and mature hunter, showing great potential. However, her character development was cut short when she disappeared for three seasons, only to return and meet her demise. It was truly disappointing, considering Jo's early appearances in Supernatural season 2 portrayed her as an inexperienced and naive character, making her susceptible to becoming a damsel in distress. Nevertheless, Jo quickly proved herself to be courageous and proficient, ready to embark on her own adventures. Sadly, her newfound independence led to her being completely overlooked and forgotten by the Supernatural storyline.