When I sat down with Misha Collins at Comic Con Africa — his first time in Africa — I’ll confess, I was more than a little excited. Best known as the trench-coat-wearing angel Castiel in the cult series Supernatural, Collins is a star with serious fandom power. But what struck me most was how friendly and engaged he was throughout our conversation.
Collins arrived in Johannesburg to a reception that could only be described as electric. “I haven't gotten to see much of Johannesburg because I've been here at the convention," he said, “but I will tell you that everybody seems very nice and very devoted. I don't know if I've seen as many people dressed up as Castiel in one place in years. The fans here seem to be very devoted.”
It’s not surprising. Supernatural has been around for almost two decades, and Castiel remains one of its most beloved characters. Collins is often reminded of the show’s longevity when he meets fans across generations.
"It's amazing to think that it is 'generations.' I meet people who are here with their kids, and the kids are big fans, but the mom will say, 'I was actually watching before she was born.' I'm like, 'Oh my God, how old am I?' But it's really remarkable to think that it's now been almost 20 years since Supernatural started."
Playing Castiel for over a decade has profoundly shaped Collins' life and career. He shared a personal takeaway from his time on set, acknowledging that the experience was at times "gruelling" due to demanding conditions like night shoots in the winter rain. "Everybody in the crew just always had to rally and do their part. Nobody complained, and it kind of taught me to suck it up when things felt hard."
But what seems to have left the biggest mark on him isn’t the work itself — it’s the fandom. He spoke warmly about the Supernatural community, describing it as having a “quirky, cultural flavour” rooted in inclusion and kindness. "To be immersed in it and to see the fans and the deep meaning this has for a lot of people has been quite eye-opening."
When it comes to convention meet-and-greets, Collins makes a conscious effort to create genuine connections, even if only for a moment. “I try to remind myself to stay present and be attentive,” he said, hoping to create a “lasting moment” for both himself and the fans.
It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time
While Comic Con brought him to Johannesburg, Collins will also be stepping onto the stage at Montecasino with his one-man show, It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time. Part memoir, part reflection, the performance is a chance for him to look inward and maybe get his audience to do the same.
"I hope the audience laughs, and I hope that it causes them to reflect on their own lives a little bit, because I'm reflecting on my life a lot in the show,” he said. “I also hope that they're not too emotionally scarred by the experience," he added jokingly.
You can catch Misha Collins in action on stage at Movies@Monte, Il Grande, Montecasino on Saturday 30 August from 19h00. The show starts at 20h00, with tiered seating priced from R500 to R700. Expect an evening of drinks, laughs, and chaotic wisdom.
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