FANS of the hit US TV show Supernatural can breathe a sigh of relief after stars Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles sensationally revealed that they would be returning for a sixth season.

Speculation had been rife that the show's creator, Erik Kripke, was going to stick to his original idea of creating a five-year-only story for the hugely successful ghost-hunting show.

As they hunt their way across America with only a classic car and some serious weaponry for company, this story of two monster-chasing brothers has seen snowballing popularity.

But fans had feared that, with the finale of season four approaching on ITV2, they only had one more series to enjoy before its conclusion in spring 2010.

But, in Birmingham at the weekend for the show's European convention, Asylum 3, I spoke to both Jared and Jensen, who take joint leads in the show as demon-slaying brothers Sam and Dean Winchester. They confirmed that they had signed on the dotted line for season six.


I asked Jensen if he'd made plans for any movies after he wrapped filming on series five. To begin with, he was playing his cards close to his chest: "We find out around January time if the show is going to be picked up again for another season."

But then he let it slip. I asked him if he'd want to go back for a sixth season and he answered: "I have to. I have a six-year contract." Well, that settles that, then.

When Jared was asked what he planned to be doing after Supernatural Five, he simply answered: "Supernatural Six. My best guess is that Supernatural will go beyond season five."

Jared also credited the fans, both in the states and the UK, for getting it this far: "Thanks to all you guys. It's because you've been getting the word out and we really appreciate it."

Jensen added: "Kripke does only have a five-year contract for Supernatural and the studio doesn't have to carry it on for six seasons."

But it seems that the actors, fans and studio hotshots are all keen to see the show go on. Jared told me: "Season four has had the best viewing figures we've ever seen and it just seems to be on an upward curve so the studio's really keen to see more."

Sam's a blood-sucking fiend, Lucifer walks the earth and all hell is literally breaking loose. That's the situation the Winchester brothers (and their friend Bobby) will face when Supernatural returns to the CW for season five this fall. Can the world be saved, and more importantly, will the boys survive with their skins (and their relationship) intact?

We just caught up with Jensen Ackles (that's Dean himself, duh) at the Paley Center's Sixth Annual Celebrity Golf Classic and got him to answer these very questions. Read on for the scoop on Sam and Dean's role in the Apocalypse and the latest on those season-six rumors...

Jensen tells us that he imagines the boys have a crucial, but not necessarily pivotal, role to play in the war between heaven and hell. (Think of Jim Beaver's Bobby and the Winchesters more as lieutenants and corporals than generals or field marshals.)

Jensen says he's always wondered, "Are Dean and Sam (Jared Padalecki) really that important that they're going to be the focal point of this apocalypse? Or are they just going to be caught in the crossfire, trying to use whatever they can to help fight for the good? I think it's going to be more of this big, gigantic thing going on and we're stuck in the middle. I don't think we're necessarily going to be the focal point of anybody's hunt. We're going to lend whatever help we can to Castiel (Misha Collins) and the angels to do their job. But what that is, I don't know."

As for poor Sam (by which, of course, we mean incredibly well-muscled, badass and awesome Sam), Jensen says that Sam's blood-addiction will remain an issue next season: "The demon stuff is still coursing through his veins, and he's got that to deal with. The season finale ended with the big, giant realization that he was being duped into becoming what he didn't want to be. So now he's got to deal with that and try to get back to neutral."

Regarding a possible sixth season, Jensen clarified the swirling rumors a bit. He tells us, "That started over in England. Jared and I were over there doing a convention. Everything was being lined up that this was the final season. We basically just said that our contracts were for six years—whether they use us for the six years is completely up to them. As it looks right now, it won't [happen]. It's like, if there is, we're going to be a part of it. I guess the studio's fine with it. I think it's just the network, you know? It's their call."

Principal photography on season five begins July 2.