Another fan-favourite character is returning to the SPN universe now that the prequel series The Winchesters have begun airing. TV Insider reports that series regular Richard Speight Jr. will return as Loki/The Trickster. There’s been no announcement yet as to in which episode Loki will make his comeback. Fans of the programme have recognised James Speight Jr. since his debut at the conclusion of season two. In spite of his short tenure as The Trickster, the character’s penchant for sleight of hand and trickery has come to define him. The archangel Gabriel was eventually revealed to be The Trickster as the story progressed (and later also confirmed as Loki).
Given Supernatural’s 320+ episode run, Speight’s involvement was little, but he made an indelible impression nonetheless. In addition to his acting roles, Speight Jr. returned in subsequent seasons to direct many episodes. In addition to Speight, Gil McKinney’s physical appearance as John Winchester’s father Henry Winchester will be welcomed back in episode 7 of The Winchesters. It has also been reported that Tom Welling, well known for his role in Smallville, will guest star on the programme as Mary’s dad, Samuel Campbell.
Even though Welling hasn’t made an appearance in Supernatural before, The Winchesters reunite him with series star/executive producer Jensen Ackles, who both participated in Season 4 of Smallville. Robbie Thompson, the show’s executive producer, showrunner, and head writer, told TV Insider that Speight’s comeback was “a question of when not if.” When he heard some of the authors’ thoughts, he was thrilled because “it seemed like [they’d come up with] a chance for us to greet a buddy who we’ve seen before, but maybe not in a way that others are, are anticipating,” he said. While it’s unknown how many more surprises Thompson and his team have up their sleeves, he has hinted that other recurring characters may make a comeback.
Hundreds of episodes of Supernatural provide a deep well of material from which to draw, as do the series’ many famous and essential characters. In The Winchesters, we learn the backstory of how Mary Campbell and John Winchester fell in love and began their mission to protect the world from otherworldly dangers. Narrated by Ackles, the series features the voices of Meg Donnelly, Drake Rodger, Jojo Fleites, Nida Khurshid, Demetria McKinney, and Biana Kajlich. Thompson came up with the concept, while Ackles and his wife Danneel Ackles of Chaos Machine Productions served as executive producers. The Winchesters airs on The CW every Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET and may be viewed the following day via the network’s mobile app and website.