Introduced in the second season in order to explore a mother-daughter relationship in the hunting world, the "gun-toting, beer-slinging" Ellen brought a "maternal energy" to the male-dominated series.

When Sam and Dean Winchester arrive there in the second-season episode "Everybody Loves a Clown", a wary Ellen holds them at gunpoint until she learns that they are John's sons.

[1] She gives them information regarding a dangerous hunter named Gordon Walker in "Bloodlust",[2] while Sam and Dean later explain to her in "Simon Said" about the demon Azazel's planned war against humanity.

[3] Her relationship with the brothers is strained in the episode "No Exit", where she reveals that she believes her husband's death was the result of a mistake made by John Winchester while they were working together on a hunt.

The hunters are unable to stop Jake from opening a gateway to Hell in a mausoleum there, and the devil's trap is broken as hundreds of demons are released into the world.

[14] Due to the father-son dynamics of the hunting world depicted in the series' first season with the Winchesters, the writers decided to explore a mother-daughter relationship, resulting in the introduction of Ellen and her daughter Jo.

"[13] Series creator Eric Kripke agrees, feeling that Ferris "really brought the character to life," being "nuanced and complex and tough, yet beautiful and feminine.

"[12] The writers intended for the character to make only two guest appearances in the third season, which left Ferris "a bit surprised and [disappointed]" at Ellen's lack of involvement.

[16] However, her initial return was scrapped due to the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike, and the actress declined a guest appearance in the finale because the lackluster offer "could cost [her] money and work.

However, after speaking to director Phil Sgriccia—he told her that Ellen was the "perfect fodder" for the "kick" that the series needed, and would "go out in a blaze of glory"—the actress came to realize that the character's death made sense.

"—was an improvised homage to the late Supernatural executive producer and director Kim Manners, who had died the year before and would often recite the phrase before filming a scene.

Executive Producer Robert Singer explained that they ultimately decided upon Ellen because "she's a fan favorite" and "in a perfect world, she probably would be a good mate for Bobby.

In their initial appearance, Bryan Enk of UGO felt that the new hunters of the Roadhouse had potential to be the Supernatural equivalent of Buffy the Vampire Slayers's Scooby Gang, comparing Ellen to Buffy's Giles, as she is "the elder who can help guide the boys from a home base and serve as an emotional link to their father, a parental figure without all the melodramatic baggage of the actual father from the first season.

"[26] Tina Charles of TV Guide also welcomed the character back, and enjoyed how Ellen's initial reaction to Dean Winchester in "Good God, Y'all!