Dark Angel throwback: An appreciation of Alec McDowell’s last appearance

By Alexandria Ingham | May 3, 2019

SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 21: Actor Jensen Ackles speaks onstage at the "Supernatural" special video presentation during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 21, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) /

On May 3, 2002, Alec McDowell appeared on Dark Angel for the last time. It was the Season 2 finale, which would also serve as the series finale. Here’s a look back at Jensen Ackles’ character.

Jensen Ackles has been Dean Winchester to us for 14 years but what did he do before Supernatural? One of his characters was Alec McDowell in Dark Angel Season 2, and on this day in 2002, the series came to an end.

Alec was introduced to us in the Season 2 premiere, and we’d all certainly seen him before. Well, we’d sort of seen him before. It was quickly pointed out to us that the character Ben that we’d seen towards the end of the first season was an identical twin – unsurprisingly, the genetically modified and grown children had been cloned.

More from Supernatural

Ackles’ character was cocky and confident, with a dark side that made us feel uneasy. However, he was also extremely loyal and kind when he needed to be. By the end of the second season, there was no other Manticore transgenic Max (or even anyone) would want by her side.

It was only in “The Berrisford Agenda” that we got to see a kinder and softer side to Alec. This would continue throughout the rest of the season, delivering a friendly relationship with Joshua, the “Dog Boy” that Manticore had created. At first, it was a relationship that was one-sided but Alec grew to like Joshua and they were considered to be friends.

If Dark Angel Season 3 had happened, Alec would have still been around. It didn’t, which meant Ackles was able to go onto Smallville and then Supernatural.

Fun fact: This was Ackles first chance to show off his comedic talents. Before this, he’d done a lot of dark and heavy drama. This role arguably helped him land the role of Dean Winchester later (giving him the practice he needed to hone the comedy/drama mix) and helped Michael Weatherly with the characterization of Tony DiNozzo in NCIS.

Next. 7 movies and shows you forgot Jensen Ackles was in. dark

What did you love about Dark Angel? What were your favorite Alec moments? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Dark Angel is available to purchase on Amazon.

Home/Supernatural