Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) have cheated death countless times over the course of Supernatural's 11-year run (and even killed Death himself). But as they head into their 12th season, the stars of the long-running drama are beginning to think more seriously about saying goodbye for good.

With 241 episodes already completed, Ackles and Padalecki are currently focused on making it to the milestone 300th episode, with the future of the series up in the air beyond that point.

"If we don't make it to 300, I think Ackles and I will both be truly bummed," Padalecki tells Entertainment Weekly. "When we get to 300, I think Ackles and I will think it might be time to say bye. There's a chance that changes, but we certainly do not take it for granted that we're going to make it to 300."

Photo: Katie Yu/The CW



The potential 300th episode would land 13 episodes into Season 14, which could either mark the halfway point in the season or act as a potential series finale if they chose to do a shortened final season - something executive producer Bob Singer has discussed.

"We talked about wanting to be able to know when our end was, and if it was to be, let's say, 300 episodes, we could tell a 13-episode story," Singer says. "I think it would be bad for this show to just ride off in the sunset without a finale. I think we've earned that. I don't know what that finale is, but we'd certainly like to do one."

However, Ackles and Padalecki are in no rush to drive off into the sunset in Baby just yet. While the notion of ending at 300 episodes has been tossed out, the stars are open to keep saving people, hunting things and continuing the family business as long as it still makes them happy.

On the set of Supernatural: Go inside Sam and Dean's Impala!

As Ackles explains, "I feel like if I ever show up to set and I feel like I don't care, or if I feel like [Padalecki] doesn't care, then that's the canary leaving the mine. To this day, I have not really ever sensed that from myself or him. ... They're paying us to bring that little bit of magic to what they wrote, and I still feel that magic today. The day that I don't feel that magic will be a very sad day, and I hope that day never comes. I'd like to get to 300 before that day comes."

Supernatural returns for its 12th season on Thursday, Oct. 13 at 9/8c on the CW.

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