UPDATE – – UPDATE – – IMPORTANT UPDATE – – UPDATE – – UPDATE
Everything in the article below is all the help you will need to submit a letter to advocate for Supernatural [See “How Fans Can Advocate] however, after reaching out to Julie Shore, Vice President, Awards, I have some new information to share. The process below has been updated.
- Instead of using the contact form, the Academy is requesting that we send our letters using the following email address: [email protected]
- If you want to mail a letter in, the address supplied below still applies.
- The Legacy Award is issued once per year and for your letter to advocate for the 2026 awards, it must be submitted by the following deadline: April 3, 2026.
- Any show that is considered for a Legacy Award is determined by the Special Awards Committee and the Academy’s Board of Governors.
- Anyone can continue to advocate for a show, but a show can only be honored with a Legacy Award once.
The Emmys Introduce a Legacy Award and Supernatural Belongs in That Conversation
This week, the Television Academy announced the creation of a new Emmy category, the Legacy Award, marking the first major addition to the Emmys in nearly two decades. The award is intended to honor television programs that have made a “profound and lasting impact” on audiences and that continue to demonstrate relevance across society, culture, and the industry.
To be eligible, a series must have produced a minimum of 60 episodes across at least five seasons and must show sustained influence or inspiration. The award may only be bestowed once per program and is open to both ended and ongoing series. Franchise properties are considered as a whole.
Perhaps most notably, programs may be nominated not only by members of the Television Academy, but also through letters submitted by industry professionals and members of the general public. That detail matters.
Immediately, one show stands out. Supernatural.
Why Supernatural Is the Definition of a Legacy Series
Created by Eric Kripke, Supernatural premiered in 2005 as a genre series rooted in horror, folklore, and American myth. At its heart the series was the story of two brothers, Sam and Dean Winchester, bound by tragedy and loyalty, travelling the country to confront forces most people believe exist only in superstition and nightmares.
What followed was not just longevity, but a show with tenacity, resilience and endurance.
Supernatural lived through one of the most dramatic transformations in television history. The show premiered in the era of linear broadcast viewing and endured the shift to digital platforms, which completely changed how audiences consumed entertainment. Over the years, the series continued to captivate viewers, from the day its pilot aired on September 13, 2005, to today. It has found homes on Netflix, Prime Video, and most recently Peacock [NBCUniversal]. Through every change, Supernatural retained a devoted audience.
Even five years after its finale, the show remained a powerhouse on digital platforms. Supernatural ranked among Netflix’s most-watched acquired shows, with nearly 12 billion minutes viewed in the first half of 2025. This is a rare achievement for a series that concluded in 2020. Such enduring popularity highlights the show’s continued relevance and cultural impact. Its appeal shows no signs of fading, ensuring that new generations of viewers will keep discovering the Winchesters’ adventures again and again.
The series ran for fifteen seasons and produced 327 episodes, making it the longest-running sci-fi / fantasy series in the history of American broadcast television. Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles appeared in every episode, an extraordinary continuity that speaks to both creative stability and commitment. Misha Collins joined the series in season four and became integral to its emotional and cultural identity.
Creatively, Supernatural was unafraid to take risks. It experimented with tone and structure, blended horror with humor, embraced meta storytelling, and trusted its audience to follow along with its bold choices. Along the way, it earned 37 wins and 126 award nominations.
The show also produced elements that have become iconic in television history. The classic rock soundtrack, the 1967 Chevy Impala, and the adoption of “Carry On Wayward Son” as an unofficial theme song are more than nostalgic touchstones. They are cultural markers that continue to resonate with fans and new viewers alike, reinforcing the show’s lasting impact on television and popular culture.
The SPN Family and Cultural Impact Beyond the Screen
From its earliest seasons, Supernatural cultivated a fandom that grew not only in size, but in depth, creativity, and connection. To demonstrate just how large the SPN Family became, the show evolved to be a fixture at San Diego Comic-Con, with panels held in Hall H, a space typically reserved for major film franchises, holding upwards of 6,500 fans. Since that time, it has maintained a dedicated convention circuit and continues to draw fans willing to travel across the globe to attend.
The SPN Family produced artists, musicians, videographers, website developers, artisans and writers. Entire cottage industries grew around fan-created art, fiction, and collectibles. A vast and meticulously maintained Wiki stands as a living archive of the show’s canon and history, reflecting the dedication and love of the community.
The impact of the fandom extended beyond creativity into compassion. Through initiatives connected to the show and its cast, fans rallied around mental health awareness, inclusivity, and philanthropy. Campaigns such as Always Keep Fighting and You Are Not Alone resonated deeply. Efforts tied to Random Acts and GISH raised extraordinary resources for people in need.
Cast members consistently used their platforms to mobilize kindness and service, and fans followed their lead. Conventions became a physical extension of this bond, fostering friendships, inspiring creative careers, and reinforcing one of Supernatural’s central themes: the idea of chosen family. For those unable to attend, social media provided the connective tissue, allowing love for the show to be shared, sustained, and amplified across borders and generations.
That is what lasting impact looks like. And that is, in itself, a legacy.
How Fans Can Advocate
If there is ever a time for the SPN Family to show its passion, this is it. The Television Academy has created the new Legacy Award to honor shows that have made a profound and lasting impact. Supernatural meets every criteria. From its 15-season, 327-episode run to its enduring cultural influence and devoted fanbase, Supernatural checks all the boxes. Now it’s up to us to make sure the Academy sees what we already know, that this show is a true legacy.
One of the most effective ways to support the show is by submitting a letter directly to the Academy. Your letter doesn’t need to be long, and it doesn’t have to be formal. Speak from the heart. Share what the show has meant to you, how it has impacted your life, and why you believe it deserves this recognition. I have included the letter that I submitted for you to use as a guide [see below]. Be personal and specific, highlighting what the show means to you.
If you choose to write a letter advocating for Supernatural for the Legacy Award, you can submit it by emailing it to the following address: [email protected]
You can also submit your letter using the following mailing address:
Television Academy
5220 Lankershim Blvd
North Hollywood, CA 91601
Attention: Special Awards Committee – Legacy Award
A note on petitions: while petitions can feel like a natural way to rally fans, they are not typically considered by the Academy and rarely influence the decision-making process. This is not about organizing a campaign or gathering signatures. The Legacy Award is not decided by popular vote. It is decided by people reading, discussing, and weighing impact. One sincere letter, written from the heart, carries more meaning than thousands of names on a list.
Now is the moment to act. Take a few minutes, write your letter, and let the Academy know why Supernatural is more than a show — it’s a phenomenon, a family, and a cultural touchstone. Together, the SPN Family can make sure the show’s legacy is recognized where it belongs.
Letter to the Television Academy
What follows is a copy of the letter I submitted to the Television Academy. I wanted to share it as a guide to help fans build a letter of their own. This letter is offered as a sample, not a script. The most powerful submissions will be personal. Fans are encouraged to speak from their own experiences and share how Supernatural mattered to them.
Attention: Special Awards Committee – Legacy Award
Dear Members of the Television Academy and the Special Awards Committee,
I am writing to respectfully submit Supernatural for consideration for the Emmy Legacy Award.
I understand that this honor is intended to recognize television programs whose influence extends far beyond their original run, shaping culture, storytelling, and the lives of those who watched. It is from that place that I feel compelled to nominate this astounding series.
Supernatural aired for fifteen seasons, but its true lifespan cannot be measured in years or episodes. For many of us, it became something deeply personal. It was the show we watched with our parents/kids, siblings, or grandparents. It was a shared language in households where connection sometimes felt hard to find. For some, it became a bridge across generations.
For others, including myself, Supernatural arrived during difficult chapters of life. During periods of grief, isolation, depression, or feeling like an outsider. For some it arrived during the global pandemic. For every hardship, the series offered something steady. It offered stories about loss and resilience, about choosing family when circumstances fail you, and about continuing to stand even when the road is hard.
The characters did not pretend pain could be erased. They showed that it could be carried. That message mattered. It still does.
What made Supernatural extraordinary was not only its longevity, but the relationship it built with its audience. The show grew alongside us. It trusted its viewers with bold storytelling choices, emotional honesty, and moments of humor that reminded us not to take despair as the final word.
The cast and creative team treated the audience with respect, and that respect was returned in kind. Over time, the fandom became a global community grounded in creativity, compassion, and care for one another. Many fans found confidence, belonging, and even purpose through that connection. Some found the courage to survive moments they once thought they would not.
That kind of impact cannot be quantified by ratings alone. It is reflected in the stories fans continue to tell, the art they create, the friendships they form, and the values they carry forward.
Supernatural did more than entertain. It endured. It accompanied people through real life. It left a mark.
For these reasons, I believe Supernatural exemplifies the spirit of the Legacy Award. Thank you for your time, your consideration, and for recognizing the lasting power of television to shape lives.
Respectfully,
Gail Langdon
[City, Country Optional]
Why Our Voices Matter
Supernatural has always taught us that family is not only about blood, it is about showing up in the ways we can, when we can. Advocating for the Legacy Award is all about gratitude. It is about telling the truth of what this series meant and continues to mean in our lives. If Supernatural mattered to you, if it helped you feel less alone, if it connected you to someone you love, or helped you through a difficult chapter, you are already part of its legacy. Writing a letter is one way to honor that story, but it is not the only way. However you choose to hold this show, know that you belong here.
For me, it helped me to find my writing voice. It connected me to a fanbase that amplifies that voice and gives it purpose. This show has given me countless hours of unforgettable entertainment and the immeasurable joy of what it feels like to attend a Supernatural convention. It has provided the means to find and connect with friends that I adore. Loving people who are kind and honest. Friends I know will be a part of my life for many years to come.
Just Because…
I recently came across this video and it’s a joy to watch. The friendship between Jared and Jensen is the foundation that the Supernatural fandom is built on, and it is one of love, joy, acceptance and good fun.
Links, Source Material and Credits
For anyone who wishes to follow the links for my source material… knock your socks off! These are listed in no particular order.
- Article: The Hollywood Reporter
- Article: Supernatural-20 Years of Love
- Television Academy Announcement of The Legacy Award
- Television Academy Website
- San Diego Comic Con Site
- Article Feature Banner Picture is a Compilation: Emmy Statue Courtesy of Television Academy Website, Supernatural Picture Courtesy of IMDb
- Supernatural Wiki
- GISH
- Random Acts
- J2 YouTube Video – Courtesy Nochu Mochi Channel
- Supernatural Conventions, Comic Cons and the SPN Family Video – Courtesy; Supernatural Insider/WBTV & CW + Kansas Perf, Osric Chau SDCC HALL H Parts 1+2+Finale, recreated for insert on FoundMyJam YouTube Channel
Agreed.But so, do the actors?This is the most amazing show.And have you ever noticed that even with it off?It’s gained more popularity and more popularity.It’s going to keep growing.It’s a phenomenon, it’s not just a show.It is there it’s going to stay there.It doesn’t matter what the age group is.My grandkids are starting it out at ten and eleven years old and falling in love with it.Almost the same as I did.The first time I sat down and watched the show
Tamara 🥰 You are so right. This show has definitely earned an award like this. I’m not sure who gets the award, but that is a good question. Does each primary cast member get one? Does the creator? Does the WB/CW? But no matter who holds the statue(s) at the end of it all, every single one of them will be able to celebrate in the well deserved accomplishment for a show that never stops giving. I hope Supernatural never goes away. I’m over the moon that it is back on Prime again! Thanks chuck! Cheers! 💖
What a call to action! We’re on it! 🫡 and thank you for the suggested verbiage!!
Heather 💖 Like all Supernatural fans, it is what I want for them. If my facts are correct, they were nominated for a Prime Time Emmy Award twice through the years for Music Composition and Sound Editing and never won. And through their 15 year reign, they have never been nominated for acting, directing or writing. Which kinda blows my mind. I don’t know of any show that deserves it more. There are great shows that exist, past and present, but I’m not sure that many can hold a candle to the accomplishments of Supernatural, in entertaining fans, creating iconic characters, carrying a profound cultural impact or can boast a fandom of Titan proportions. I hope every single Supernatural fan writes to the academy to let them know that Supernatural deserves a long overdue recognition for excellence, longevity and creative/cultural impact.