Constantine: The 13-Episode Fantasy Series That Could Have Rivaled Supernatural

Before the Arrowverse and the streaming era, NBC's Constantine brought DC's occult detective to television in 2014, starring Matt Ryan as the chain-smoking, demon-hunting John Constantine. Despite a loyal fanbase and critical praise for Ryan's performance, the show was canceled after just 13 episodes. Many believe it had the potential to rival Supernatural, which dominated paranormal TV for 15 seasons. Constantine's darker tone, serialized storytelling, and rich source material from Vertigo Comics set it apart, but low ratings and network hesitation sealed its fate. The character later found new life through Arrowverse appearances and an animated revival, but the original series remains a 'what if' in fantasy television. Its cancellation still sparks debate among fans who argue it deserved more time to grow.