Supernatural Spinoff Update - Title and More.

So there's more information starting to come out about the Supernatural spinoff.

We already know that it will kick off in Supernatural episode 9.20 - which will be written by/has been written by Andrew Dabb.

9.20 will be what is known as a "backdoor pilot" or "embeded pilot". This means that the CW and Warner Bros are using an existing show to launch a new show. The CW have successfully done this with The Originals, which took existing characters from The Vampire Diaries and spun them into their own show and is also hoping to have success again with the Arrow spinoff, The Flash. The Flash character was introduced over a couple of season 2 Arrow episodes.

Supernatural 9.20 is said to introduce some new characters which will then spinoff in their own right into their own show.

The spinoff will be set in Chicago and will be stand alone - in that it won't have the regular characters from Supernatural, AKA Sam and Dean appearing in it. Though whether characters from Supernatural ever crossover to the spinoff, we'll have to wait and see, (not that many characters other than the main characters are left alive to cross over to the new show!) but the bulk of the news about this new series seems to suggest that the CW are building a brand new show that will stand on its own two feet.

Jensen and Jared have both discussed the hope that they may be able to shoot part of 9.20 in Chicago, but being as most of the Supernatural crew is Canadian and that it would require a US crew set up to shoot the episode and also all the other associated costs of transporting a Canadian produced show to Chicago - like Baby - chances are that won't happen - at least not the whole episode, though it is possible that some elements of the episode may be shot separately there.

But what about the spinoff series if it's picked up?

Well let's just say, The Tomorrow People is set in New York and that's where they shot their pilot, but the show now shoots in Vancouver. So that might be an indication!

Here's what was revealed about the spinoff back in July via Entertainment Weekly.

As buzz continued to build about Supernatural’s upcoming spin-off executive producers Jeremy Carver and Robert Singer yesterday shared with EW some new info about the spin-off, which is currently scheduled to be introduced to viewers in episode 20 of the upcoming new season.

In the Chicago-set episode, Carver said we’ll be introduced to a show that would, if picked up by the network, “explore the clashing monster and human characters” living in the city. In fact, he said, “we’ll have main characters who are both human and monsters.” That will include, added Singer, “families of monsters and families of hunters.” “It’s much more of an ensemble than Supernatural,” Singer said.

Starting with a fresh slate of characters, Singer explained, felt like a non-traditional approach to a spin-off that also left room for Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) to introduce viewers into the world. “Most spin-offs, you spin characters out and create a show about them. Jared and Jensen will be in the spin-off, but it’s an entirely different cast of characters,” Singer said. “And unlike Supernatural – which is a road show — this will take place in one place with a wider cast of characters.”

And while news of the in-the-works Supernatural spin-off may have caught some fans of the long-running series by surprise, Carver said he had a feeling it would eventually become a topic of discussion. “I think any time a show goes this long — unless you’re Chicago Fire [which got a spin-off after one season] — then you’re always in the back of your mind going to be thinking the what-if scenario,” he said.

“It’s going to be quite a departure — the same world but from a whole new perspective,” Carver added.

In August the head of the CW, Mark Pedowitz had this to say:

"It will be set in Chicago. There will be hunters. There will be monsters [...] I don't believe anyone is intending to have continuing characters in it that are presently on Supernatural". 

Now as Supernatural starts prepping episode 9.17 and the spinoff series "backdoor pilot" is getting closer to production, there's some more news coming out...

We have a title! They're utilising the Supernatural brand. The show will be called: "Supernatural: Tribes."


The Hollywood Reporter  also has this information:

Supernatural: Tribes will explore the clashing hunter and monster cultures of Chicago and hails from Supernatural's writer Andrew Dabb, who will exec produce alongside Eric Kripke, Robert Singer, showrunner Jeremy Carver and McG. Singer will direct the Warner Bros. Television entry.

Fabulous that it's being created and executive produced by the Supernatural crew. There's also been talk that if the pilot gets picked up, Andrew Dabb will move over to "Tribes" as showrunner. Which is a bit of a bummer because I've grown to love his episodes. Especially the work he's done in seaosn 9.

Over at the Chicago Tribune, they're speculating whether "Supernatural: Tribes" will be shot locally:

The CW announced Wednesday that long running drama “Supernatural” is getting a spinoff. And unlike the original, which follows brothers Dean and Sam Winchester as they hunt ghosts and monsters all over the country, the spinoff, “Supernatural: Tribes” will take place in Chicago.

According to Entertainment Weekly, “Supernatural” executive producer Robert Singer revealed in July during San Diego Comic Con that a potential spinoff would be introduced as a backdoor pilot toward the end of the current “Supernatural” season (You might remember “Chicago Fire” did the same thing with its spinoff, “Chicago PD”). Singer added that the spinoff would “explore the clashing monster and human characters” and that “we’ll have main characters who are both human and monsters (and) families of monsters and families of hunters. ... It’s much more of an ensemble than ‘Supernatural.’ ”

The original “Supernatural” is filmed in Vancouver. Will the spinoff film there as well or shoot on-location in Chicago? “No word on them filming here, yet,” said Chicago Film Office director Rich Moskal by email Thursday.

“Supernatural” is known for having one of the most passionate fanbases. There’s even a “Supernatural” convention, which this year will take place Oct. 24-26 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Rosemont. “Supernatural” stars Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki are scheduled to attend.

So what do you think? I'm not sure! 

I watch The Originals. I actually like it better than The Vampire Diaries these days! But, Supernatural to me is Sam and Dean and while I love the stories, the monsters, the hunter mythology etc., I watch for the relationship between these wounded, gloriously frustrating, chaotic, epically heroic, tragic and beautiful brothers. I know many of you are the same and a lot of fans feel similarly about Castiel. So will a brand new show with brand new characters, even if set in our Supernatural Universe, have the same charm? Hmm. Dare I say doubtful? I think Supernatural is lightning in a bottle, a magical combination that rarely happens in television. Jensen and Jared infuse that show with so much love that it bounces off the screen. It's special. That's why we're so passionate about it.

But this spinoff might be awesome in its own right! It also might bring a new audience across to Supernatural, if people tune into the new show and then get curious about the existing show. Geesh, could our ratings jump again in season 10? That would be incredible!

I'm super interested to see what episode 9.20 has in store for us and what/who these new characters are. Let me know your thoughts on all of this. Are there any living Supernatural characters/monsters you'd like see take up residence in Chicago and become a part of "Supernatural: Tribes"?

Until next time my friends, have a Supernaturally awesome day!

-sweetondean