Five Years Later, Fan-Favorite ‘Supernatural’ Ship Is Carrying On

Five years after the conclusion of “Supernatural,” the fan-favorite pairing of Dean Winchester and Castiel, affectionately known as “Destiel,” has been in the spotlight more than ever before. It seems that people are finally acknowledging what fans have known all along: Destiel’s impact is important and hasn’t faded, despite the series’ end in 2020. If anything, the ship (slang for relationship) is getting the mainstream recognition it always deserved, both from the show’s cast and mainstream media.

Castiel’s Confession

The moment that made Destiel canon (yes, canon) came in “Supernatural’s” final season (Season 15, Episode 18: “Despair”). In a gut-wrenching goodbye, Castiel (Misha Collins) confessed his love for Dean Winchester (Jensen Ackles) before sacrificing himself. The fandom exploded. Some fans celebrated, others were frustrated by the lack of follow-through, but one thing was clear: Destiel was officially part of “Supernatural’s” legacy.

What’s Happening Now?

Even years later, Destiel refuses to be forgotten. The biggest proof? It just showed up on “Pop Culture Jeopardy!” in the category “Down With the ‘Ship.” The clue read: “Fans wishfully paired Demon Hunter Dean Winchester with the Angel Castiel on this long-running CW show.”

Misha Collins couldn’t resist chiming in. He posted his reaction on Instagram:

Fans, naturally, went feral. And let’s be real… it was the perfect response to something like this.

And that’s not the only Destiel recognition happening lately. Rob Benedict and Richard Speight Jr., who played Chuck/God and Gabriel respectively, and had never fully watched the series, recently acknowledged the ship on their podcast, “Supernatural: Then and Now.” While looking back at the show’s legacy, they embraced Destiel as part of “Supernatural’s” history by discussing Season 6: Episode 21, “Let it Bleed.” During their review of the episode, the actors said things like “Lovers Spat!,” “They are so a couple!,” “The writers knew and are writing for it!,” and “I never realized it was this obvious!” It might have taken a while, but it’s clear the conversation around Destiel is finally shifting. 

Meanwhile, what is believed to be the official “Supernatural” YouTube channel is still posting throwback clips, keeping the show’s presence alive. This includes a recent insurgence of Destiel themed content including an almost 60-minute compilation video entitled, “Collection: Let’s Acknowledge the Destiel in the Room | Supernatural.” Between that, Misha’s posts, and Destiel being an actual game show answer, it’s safe to say this ship is still sailing strong.

The Future of “Supernatural”

With “Supernatural’s” popularity refusing to die (much like its characters), talk of a revival is always on the table. Jensen Ackles has hinted at revisiting the “Supernatural” universe while doing press for his appearance on “The Boys.” And Jared Padalecki expressed his interest in a possible return in this interview with iHeartPodcasts. As enthusiastic as Misha Collins has been about Castiel, it’s almost a give-in he’d be willing to return. If the show ever comes back, fans will be waiting to see if Destiel finally gets the attention it deserves.

For now, though, Destiel lives on through fan content, conventions, and these unexpected pop culture moments. Whether “Supernatural” ever returns or not, one thing is clear; Destiel isn’t just a ship… it’s a piece of TV history. And it’s about time everyone caught up.