Supernatural: Jeffrey Dean Morgan Returning as John Winchester for 300th Episode

Supernatural fans, your prayers have been answered! Jeffrey Dean Morgan is officially returning to the long-running CW series in its landmark 300th episode, titled “Lebanon,” which will air Thursday, Feb. 7 at 8/7c.

We last saw Morgan as John Winchester in the Season 2 finale, when he broke out of hell to kill Azazel, thus avenging his wife’s murder and finally seeing his soul find peace. Since then, Papa Winchester has been mentioned numerous times and a younger version of him has even appeared. However, this will be the first time in 12 years that we actually see Morgan back on-screen as the beloved character.

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While we don’t yet know what brings him back to Supernatural, Jared Padalecki says you can expect the episode to be an emotional one that offers up some much-needed closure for Sam.

“There’s some scenes that also make it come full circle,” Padalecki told TV Guide at a recent event celebrating the show’s big milestone. “For Sam specifically… we see [him] get some reconciliation that he hasn’t really had, he’s been desiring. He didn’t even know he was really looking for this. We see him tie up some loose ends and really make the most of his situation, and it’s a pretty awesome situation.”

According to Samantha Smith, Mary’s reaction will run the gamut of emotions. “Unbridled joy… shock and then joy,” Smith said of Mary’s reaction to the possible reunion. “I think that John is the love of Mary’s life and that would be anyone’s dream come true, right?”

Supernatural‘s 300th episode airs Thursday, Feb. 7 at 8/7c on The CW.

(Full disclosure: TV Guide is owned by CBS, one of The CW’s parent companies.)

Additional reporting by Lindsay Macdonald

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Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Supernatural

Photo: SERGEI BACHLAKOV, THE WB