Misha Collins explains what Castiel's up to in Supernatural episode 300

We already know that the 300th episode of Supernatural will bring John Winchester back — which will allow Sam and Dean to have some long-awaited conversations — but as for what it means for Castiel, all that’s been said is that whatever alters reality in the first place will affect him. But how will it affect him?

“In the 300th episode, we really are kind of reincarnating an earlier version of Castiel,” actor Misha Collins says in the video above, adding that it’s the “Castiel that we knew from season 4, season 5.” So naturally, the change will affect his wardrobe… or at least that was the plan. “At the time, Castiel had a different tie,” Collins says, before explaining that “I have been on this show for so long that the ties have literally disintegrated.”

Neckwear aside, playing a different version of Castiel allowed Collins to notice a few things about his character. “It was actually interesting to get to play that [version of Castiel] again because I realized just how un-fun Castiel used to be,” Collins says with a laugh. “He’s a real pain in the ass, so I’m kind of glad that Cas has evolved to where he is now.”

For more on Supernatural, pick up the new issue of Entertainment Weekly on stands Friday, or buy one — or three — of our collector’s covers featuring Jensen Ackles, Misha Collins, and Jared Padalecki now. A very special cover featuring the Winchester family is also available for purchase exclusively at Barnes & Noble. Don’t forget to subscribe for more exclusive interviews and photos, only in EW.

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• Jeffrey Dean Morgan on whether episode 300 is ‘the end of John’ on Supernatural