Eric Kripke, creator of The CW's , reflects on the longevity of his hit series. Starring Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles as the brothers Sam and Dean Winchester, made its original debut in 2005 on The WB, the predecessor to what would eventually become The CW Network. While the series would last an impressive 15 seasons and become the longest-running fantasy series on American TV, Kripke himself stood down as showrunner after season 5, handing the reins over to executive producer Sera Gamble, who would make her own departure after season 7.

During a reunion held on the WGA and SAG-AFTRA picket lines at Warner Bros., Kripke spoke to about his time on the series. Revealing that he felt that he could always rely on the safety net provided by his residuals from , the series creator and former showrunner admitted he never expected the show to last as long as it did. When it finally did come to an end, Kripke admitted that he experienced a moment where he felt that he “

” as he no longer had a backup plan. Check out his comments below:

It was strange, because no matter what happened in my career, I always had the safety net of like, ‘Well, if I really sh*t the bed, I’ve still got Supernatural residuals, and I’m still getting the royalties because they’re [still] making it’ — same with The Winchesters. I even had a moment when it was all finally off, I’m like, ‘Oh sh*t.

I better make sure I don’t screw up now. I don’t have this backup plan.’ My only wildest dream was to go five years on that show. I couldn’t have predicted this and what it became. I’m just totally humbled by the whole situation and just amazed, proud, but like never in my wildest dreams did I think that that show was gonna go 15 years and that it was going to connect to this many people. I don’t have good words for that.

The article is not finished. Click on the next page to continue.