Those wayward Winchester brothers will be reunited with their on-screen Dad for the long-running show’s 300th episode. That’s right folks, Jeffrey Dean Morgan is returning to play John Winchester for the first time in a decade.

Executive producer Andrew Dabb made the announcement (via Deadline) and hinted that Morgan wouldn’t be the only familiar face to make a special appearance in the landmark episode.

“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.”

The last time Morgan was seen on Supernatural was the second season finale; All Hell Breaks Loose Part 2, he returned for a vocal cameo in the season three instalment Long Distance Call. Now, hopefully, this won’t be a spoiler for a show that’s in its fourteenth year, but John Winchester isn’t presently alive. I haven’t seen any of the current season as it has yet to be broadcast in the UK. Bringing a dead character back to life or visiting the spirit world/afterlife/alternate dimension is just another day in the office for Supernatural.

Following the news that the current run will be shorter than the usual 23 episodes, fans have begun speculating if the end is in sight for the Winchesters. The CW has always maintained that as long as Jared Padalecki & Jensen Ackles want to make it, and the ratings hold, then Supernatural can run for years to come. However, both cast members have previously spoken about 300 episodes being a good place to stop. By the time season fourteen concludes, Supernatural would have reached 307 episodes.

Their comments were from 2016 and for clarity here’s the whole thing;

“When we get to 300, I think Ackles and I will think it might be time to say bye. There’s a chance that changes, but we certainly do not take it for granted that we’re going to make it to 300.”

A reduced schedule and a shorter episode commitment (or a collection of TV movies) wouldn’t be a bad thing, it might have been going for longer than some of its fans have been alive, but I don’t want Supernatural to end yet. Here’s hoping that something has changed in the last two years, and season 15 is on the horizon.

The 300th episode will be broadcast in the US on February 7, 2019, season 14 should arrive on E4 early in the new year.