Before they were etched into The Walking Dead’s brutal, heartbreaking mythology, two actors who would go on to become absolute fan favorites were quietly carving out memorable roles in another genre‑defining series. Who remembers Supernatural? Well, you probably forgot that two Walking Dead stars actually appeared on this show. Now, let's take a brief trip down memory lane.
Honestly, this is one of those delightful bits of TV trivia that makes re‑watching beloved shows such a rewarding experience. Long before these performers were dodging walkers and fighting for survival in the zombie apocalypse, they were running with demons, angels, and the Winchester brothers in a very different kind of supernatural battle.
Walking Dead stars Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Lauren Cohan appeared in Supernatural
It's true! Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Lauren Cohan from The Walking Dead universe both appeared in Supernatural, and their early roles are surprisingly memorable once you spot them. Walking Dead fans know Morgan and Cohan for their iconic roles as Negan and Maggie Rhee, two characters whose journeys through the zombie apocalypse left lasting impressions on television audiences worldwide.
But long before they wielded Lucille or led survivors through walker‑filled landscapes, both were honing their craft in the supernatural world of Supernatural. For viewers who followed Supernatural during its early seasons, these faces may stir a flicker of recognition. But for many Walking Dead fans who came aboard later or who skipped the show entirely, it’s easy to forget that these two performers once inhabited a universe of ghosts, ghouls, and godlike beings.
Created by Eric Kripke, Supernatural starred Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles as brothers Sam and Dean Winchester. For 15 seasons, viewers watched as they traveled across the United States, hunting monsters, demons, ghosts, and other supernatural creatures that most people didn’t even know existed.
Morgan joined the cast in the early seasons as John Winchester, the father of Sam and Dean. His character was a rugged, determined man haunted by tragedy. After the murder of his wife Mary by the demon Azazel, John dedicated his life to hunting supernatural forces and raising his sons to follow in his footsteps.
Cohan, on the other hand, played Bela Talbot, a main character introduced in season 3. Unlike the Winchesters, Bela wasn't a hunter motivated by duty or family. She was a cunning, morally ambiguous thief who exploited the supernatural world for personal gain. She even had quite a few run-ins with the Winchester brothers, often complicating their hunts and putting her own survival above all else.
While both of these talented actors made appearances in Supernatural, neither actually shared the screen. Their storylines were entirely separate, and they didn't even appear in the same episodes. However, this would've been cool to see. Who would've thought that Morgan and Cohan would go on to become two of the most iconic faces of The Walking Dead and still be playing the same characters many years later in its spinoff? It's truly interesting to think about!
This isn’t the only instance of actors from The Walking Dead appearing in the same project. In the 2007 horror film The Mist, Melissa McBride, Jeffrey DeMunn, and Laurie Holden all appeared and even shared on-screen scenes. Of course, this was way before they were cast in the zombie series. But their performances in The Mist offered an early glimpse of the chemistry and gravitas they would later bring to The Walking Dead.
All 15 seasons of Supernatural are available to stream on Peacock.