Update, 1/18/19:

How does John Winchester return to Supernatural after he’s been absent from the series for 12 seasons? Co-showrunner Andrew Dabb told Entertainment Weekly it involves a wish. He says, “Our guys are put in a position where they essentially can have a wish granted. They’re actually expecting something else, but [John’s return] comes from a place of want by Dean. The need for closure is really what brings John back into their lives.”

Original post:

Jeffrey Dean Morgan is probably  best known as the hateful Negan on The Walking Dead, or perhaps as the Comedian in the Watchmen movie. But before those iconic roles, he played John Winchester, the monster hunting father of Dean (Jensen Ackles) and Sam (Jared Padalecki) Winchester on the long running series Supernatural. And now, according to a report in TV Guide, it appears that Morgan is putting down the barbed-wire baseball bat and heading back to the CW for Supernatural’s 300th episode, which is set to air early next year.

Morgan’s return will be in the episode titled “Lebanon,” and in a statement, the series’ producer Andrew Dabb said “We’re incredibly excited to have Jeffrey back for this milestone episode, and think fans will love what we have planned for his character… and a few other surprise guest stars.” Morgan first played the part of Papa Winchester way back in  Supernatural‘s 2005 pilot episode and then appeared another eleven times over the course of the series until the end of the show’s second season. How his character will return remains unknown.

Supernatural’s 300th episode will air Thursday, Feb. 7 at 8/7c.

Images: Warner Brothers / the CW / AMC