Before Supernatural And The Boys, Eric Kripke Created This Short-Lived Tarzan Series

Eric Kripke makes shows that tend to go the distance, but his career hasn't always been synonymous with hits. Before finding success with shows like "Supernatural" and "The Boys," he, Mike Werb, and Michael Colleary created a one-season wonder in the form of "Tarzan," which aired on The WB back in 2003. Aside from starring two future television stars in Travis Fimmel and Sarah Wayne Callies, "Tarzan" boasted a surprisingly strong cast: a pre-"Gossip Girl" Leighton Meester, Mitch Pileggi ("X-Files" and "Stargate Atlantis"), and Lucy freaking Lawless!

Kripke's "Tarzan" is a contemporary retelling of Edgar Rice Burroughs' story that swaps the jungle for New York City. The series follows the eponymous character (played by Fimmel) as he tries to escape the clutches of his ruthless uncle, who wants to run the corporation Tarzan is the rightful heir to. Eventually, Tarzan meets and teams up with Jane Porter (Callies) to solve cases around the Big Apple — from finding missing children to murders. Of course, it doesn't take long until the pair start developing feelings for each other, adding some romance to complement the show's mystery elements.

"Tarzan" showcases the procedural elements that inform so many "Supernatural" episodes, but Kripke doesn't look back on the short-lived series fondly. In fact, the creator has had some pretty harsh things to say about "Tarzan."

While the series didn't last long, it did give the cast and crew valuable experience. Travis Fimmel, for example, would go on to star in the hit series "Vikings," while Sarah Wayne Callies would gain recognition in "Prison Break" and later "The Walking Dead." Even Lucy Lawless, already known for "Xena: Warrior Princess," brought a level of gravitas that elevated the material. These actors took lessons from "Tarzan" that would shape their careers in unexpected ways.

The show's unique twist of moving Tarzan from the jungle to the urban jungle of New York allowed Kripke to experiment with blending action, drama, and romance in a modern setting. Although it wasn’t a commercial success, the attempt to combine genres showed his willingness to push boundaries, something that would later become a hallmark of his work. By using a familiar story and giving it a contemporary spin, Kripke laid the groundwork for thinking outside conventional TV formulas.

How Tarzan paved the way for Supernatural

"Tarzan" was Eric Kripke's first series to make it to the air, and while it only lasted eight episodes, it was a learning experience for the creator. While speaking to Gold Derby, he revealed that he saw "Supernatural" as an opportunity to make up for his debut series' shortcomings in the storytelling department.

"[Tarzan] was just such a flaming s**tshow. And the vast majority of it was my fault. So I really wanted to build a show that corrected those mistakes. Like, for example, if you're going to make a network TV show, you really need to figure out what your engine is. How are you going to generate story every week, 22 times a year? Tarzan had none of that."

The lessons Kripke learned from "Tarzan" didn’t just influence his next project; they shaped his approach to long-running television. He understood the importance of strong character arcs, narrative consistency, and keeping viewers engaged week after week. By identifying what went wrong in "Tarzan," he set the stage for "Supernatural" to thrive, showing that even failure can be a vital step toward success.

It's safe to say Kripke learned from the "Tarzan" experience, as "Supernatural" lasted for 15 seasons. Meanwhile, the fifth and final season of "The Boys" is slated to premiere on Amazon Prime Video in 2026.

Looking back, "Tarzan" might be remembered as a minor footnote in Kripke’s career, but its influence is undeniable. It offered a testing ground, a place where risks could be taken, mistakes made, and lessons learned. For Kripke, it proved that even short-lived projects can contribute to a creator's growth and set the stage for lasting hits. The series may not have lasted, but its impact echoes in the shows that followed.