Jensen Ackles has recalled how Jessica Alba's teasing remarks when he joined Dark Angel prompted him to call the actress 'Bitch Alba' during filming. The actor's comments from a 2022 appearance on Michael Rosenbaum's Inside of You podcast have resurfaced in a post on X, drawing attention to the former co-stars' exchanges on the Fox science-fiction series.
Ackles said Alba initially described him as the 'pretty boy' the network brought in for 'window dressing'. He responded by joking about her attitude on set, but said their disagreements eventually grew into mutual respect.
Jensen Ackles Recalls Jessica Alba's Comments
Ackles joined Dark Angel during its second season, playing Alec McDowell opposite Alba, who starred as Max Guevara. Recalling their first interactions, Ackles said Alba was not particularly welcoming when he joined the cast.
'She was like, "Oh, here's the pretty boy that the network brought in for some more window dressing,"' he said.
Jensen Ackles Explains Why He Started Calling Jessica Alba “Bitch Alba” on Set
— TrueNorth (@Franco_Vision) November 10, 2026
Jensen Ackles : “She was like, ‘Oh, here’s the pretty boy that the network brought in for some more window dressing.’”
“I was like, ‘What the fuck? What did I do?’ So very quickly, I was like, ‘Fire… pic.twitter.com/57AncWKOk9
The actor said he was initially unsure why she had treated him that way. 'I was like, "What the fuck? What did I do?"' Ackles recalled. He described himself as the new addition to the production who was being picked on by its leading actress. 'I was the new kid on the block, and I got picked on by the lead,' he said.
Why He Called Her 'Bitch Alba'
Ackles said he decided to respond to Alba's remarks rather than let the comments go unanswered. Explaining how the nickname developed, he said: 'I was like, "Fire with fire."'
He recalled making remarks about Alba's mood when she arrived on set. 'I'd say, "Looks like we're getting Bitch Alba today. Everybody hang on to your nuts,"' he said.
The nickname became part of their exchanges during filming, as the pair continued teasing one another. Ackles said their disagreements eventually helped establish mutual respect between them. 'But it did build some mutual respect. We bickered like brother and sister,' he explained.
Alba Supported Ackles After His Grandfather's Death
Ackles also recalled an occasion when Alba supported him following the death of his grandfather during production. He said the actress visited his trailer after learning about the loss and stayed with him as he dealt with the situation.
'My grandfather died while I was shooting, and she literally just walked into my trailer and held me for half an hour,' he said.
The actor's account included both their disagreements and the support Alba showed him during a difficult period. Ackles also acknowledged that the actress was under pressure while leading the television series.
Ackles and Alba's 'Dark Angel' Roles
Dark Angel premiered on Fox in October 2000 and ran for two seasons, ending in 2002. Created by James Cameron and Charles H Eglee, the science-fiction drama followed Max Guevara, played by Alba, a genetically enhanced woman living in a dystopian version of Seattle.
Ackles joined the main cast in the second season as Alec McDowell, another genetically enhanced character. Following the series, Ackles became widely known for playing Dean Winchester in Supernatural. He later appeared as Soldier Boy in The Boys. Alba went on to appear in films including Fantastic Four, Sin City and Honey, alongside developing her business career through The Honest Company.
