If you’ve spent any time in the Supernatural fandom, you know Alastair isn't just another demon. He’s the guy who broke Dean Winchester. He's the "Picasso with a Razor." But if you’re rewatching and thinking, Wait, didn’t he look different ten minutes ago?—you’re not crazy.
The question of who plays Alastair in Supernatural actually has three answers. Because demons in the SPN-verse treat human bodies like seasonal wardrobes, Alastair was portrayed by three different actors during his terrifying run in Season 4.
Mark Rolston: The First Cut
The show introduced us to the Grand Inquisitor in the episode "I Know What You Did Last Summer." Mark Rolston took the lead here. If he looks familiar, it’s probably because you’ve seen him as the terrifying Bogs Diamond in The Shawshank Redemption or Private Drake in Aliens.
Rolston brought this weird, bookish intensity to the role. He wasn't a hulking brute. He looked like a guy who might do your taxes, which made the "pediatrician" line he delivered while torturing Ruby so much more unsettling. Rolston is actually the one who pioneered that specific, raspy, Brando-esque whisper that became the character's trademark. He once mentioned in an interview that he wanted a voice that was "particular" and "wicked" but still felt grounded in a human throat. It worked. He made Alastair feel like a sophisticated monster who genuinely enjoyed the "craft" of pain.
Andrew Wheeler: The Brief Transition
Then came the episode "Death Takes a Holiday." For a very brief window, Alastair was played by Andrew Wheeler. Honestly, most fans blink and miss this one because Wheeler didn't stay in the "meatsuit" for long.
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Wheeler is a veteran character actor you’ve likely spotted in The Exorcism of Emily Rose or guest-spotting on Stargate SG-1. His version of Alastair was a bridge—a necessary vessel change for the plot—but he maintained that creepy, measured pace that Rolston established. It's a testament to the show's casting that even the "temporary" Alastair felt like the same soul.
Christopher Heyerdahl: The Definitive Terror
When people ask who plays Alastair in Supernatural, Christopher Heyerdahl is usually the face they’re picturing. He took over the role later in Season 4, most notably in the brutal episode "On the Head of a Pin."
Heyerdahl is a legend in the sci-fi and horror world. You might know him as the "Swede" from Hell on Wheels or Marcus from The Twilight Saga. He didn’t just play Alastair; he inhabited him. He took Rolston's whispering cadence and dialed the "creep factor" up to an eleven.
Why the Voice Matters
There is a massive debate online about the Alastair voice. Some fans find it agonizing to listen to. Others think it’s the most genius acting choice in the series.
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Heyerdahl leaned into a performance that felt like a "three-way" collaboration between what Rolston did, his own vision, and the director's input. He basically sounds like he’s gargling gravel and silk at the same time. Fans often point out that he was channeling Marlon Brando’s Don Corleone, but with a demonic, sadistic edge. It makes sense—Alastair had spent centuries in Hell and rarely came to Earth. Why would he talk like a normal person? His speech should feel "off."
Why the Recasting Worked
Usually, recasting a major villain is a death sentence for a show’s continuity. In Supernatural, it’s a feature, not a bug.
The white-eyed demon status of Alastair meant he was high-tier—only second to Lilith. Seeing him jump from Mark Rolston’s "bookish" vessel to Heyerdahl’s more gaunt, towering presence reinforced the idea that the demon is the parasite, not the person.
- Mark Rolston gave us the introduction and the "professional" torturer.
- Andrew Wheeler kept the momentum during the reaper-napping plot.
- Christopher Heyerdahl gave us the final, iconic showdown and the eventual death at the hands of a blood-charged Sam Winchester.
The Legacy of the Character
Alastair wasn't just a "monster of the week." He was the mentor who taught Dean how to "carve" in Hell. That connection is what made the torture scenes in Season 4 so heavy. When you see Heyerdahl smiling while Dean prepares the salt and holy water, you aren't just watching a demon; you're watching a teacher who is immensely proud of his star pupil's fall from grace.
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If you’re looking to re-experience these performances, start with Season 4, Episode 9 ("I Know What You Did Last Summer") for Rolston’s debut, and make sure to watch Episode 16 ("On the Head of a Pin") to see Heyerdahl’s masterclass in villainy.
To really appreciate the acting range here, pay attention to the subtle differences in how each actor handles the "white eyes" reveal. While Rolston used CGI for the effect, Heyerdahl actually insisted on rolling his eyes back to make the transition feel more physical and jarring. It’s those tiny details that keep Alastair at the top of every "Best Supernatural Villains" list even decades later.
If you want to dive deeper into the lore, check out the episodes featuring Lilith to see how the "White-Eyed" hierarchy differs from the standard black-eyed demons or the Princes of Hell like Azazel.