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Supernatural Star Talks Shocking Death, Scary Return & Showrunner Shake-Up; Plus, Season Finale Scoop!

Jim Beaver dishes on Bobby's for-real reunion with the Winchester boys, what's next for the hunters and how he reacted to Jeremy Carver replacing Sera Gamble as boss

By Drusilla Moorhouse Apr 20, 2012 5:45 PMTags
Jared Padalecki, Jensen Ackles, Supernatural, Jim BeaverMichael Courtney, Jack Rowand//The CW

Great news, Supernatural fans: Bobby (Jim Beaver) returns in the flesh in tonight's episode!

OK, that's a lie. He's still a ghost, but in tonight's episode Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) will finally see the crotchety hunter.

Even more good news? The dearly departed dude appears in the upcoming episodes as well, leading up to the finale.

Read on to hear what Jim Beaver told us about Bobby's storyline, the battle with the Leviathans and his reaction to Supernatural's shocking showrunner shake-up…

In tonight's old-school SPN haunted-house story, Beaver tells us that Bobby is tasked with "the job at hand combined with the job of trying to reconnect with the boys. I think he cares of both pretty well, and it moves things up to the next level for the episodes to follow."

After tonight's "mostly standalone" episode, Beaver reveals that "the rest of the season is going to be about trying to resolve the fight against the Leviathans…But Bobby's other task is to forestall or thwart the fates that normally condemn ghosts to become vengeful, angry spirits who are not in control of their actions." Eek! We like our gruff, warmhearted Bobby just the way he is (except the being-dead part, of course), thank you very much!

Bobby's personal struggle is "going to take a lot of energy away from the main task of figuring out a way to beat the Leviathans," says Beaver, teasing: "You'll have to wait and see how successfully Bobby and the boys pull all that off, but it's going to be a pretty rip-roaring battle."

If Bobby can walk out the wheelchair, he should be able to rise from the dead, too, right? "My accountant certainly hopes so," Beaver says with a laugh, "and so do I! It's kind of interesting playing this new stuff, but on the other hand I'm a little tired of getting spray-painted white every morning. If I can figure out a way to "invigorate" Bobby, that's OK with me!"

When we asked about the fans' overwhelming reaction to Bobby's death—a double whammy after losing Castiel (Misha Collins), Beaver says, "It was really affecting, really touching, how sorrowful the whole audience seemed to be about it. I knew at some point in some fashion I'd probably be back—I didn't know for certain and I didn't know when—but there wasn't a lot I could do to make anybody feel better about it….Actors can work for decades and not get the loving feedback I got on this show and I'm deeply appreciative of it—I don't take it lightly at all."

Is Beaver rolling out the welcome mat for former writer Jeremy Carver as the new showrunner? "I hate to see [current showrunner] Sera [Gamble] go, but Jeremy's a great guy," Beaver tells us. "I'm looking forward to working with him if I get the chance next year." (SPN hasn't officially been picked up for an eighth season, but according to our Magic 8 Ball, all signs point to yes.)  "He's been such a strong part of Supernatural in the past [so] it's good to have him back.

"I hope he's a good boss," Beaver laughed, "by which I mean I hope he figures out a way to use me a whole bunch."

Excited to see more of Bobby? What are your predictions for the season finale? Sound off in the comments!

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