Characterization
According to series creator Eric Kripke, the writers conceptualized Bela Talbot as "someone really never come across before". Though she moves throughout the supernatural world, Bela has no interest in the "altruistic or obsessed or revenge-minded motives of hunting". Described by actress Lauren Cohan as a "a female Humphrey Bogart", Bela is also "a mercenary, very much out for herself", who "sees everything as an opportunity". Cohan also feels Bela is "a little bit manipulative" and "always wants to be in control". The character "thinks she’s justified" in stealing artifacts for profit rather than for helping people like the Winchesters do, and finds the brothers "really naive and kind of endearing". On this aspect of Bela, writer and producer Sera Gamble commented, "I always suspect when someone is that blasé that there's something underneath, and we're finally getting into that". Likewise, after talking with the writers about later episodes, Cohan came to the realization Bela is a "really damaged character" who, due to terrible experiences in her life, has been shaped into a character that is "a lot less heartful" than she was expecting. Cohan noted, "She keeps those walls up and very rarely lets them down. She does but then she quickly builds them back up because she doesn’t like to ask anyone for help."
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