SDCC 2015: 'Supernatural' Panel Reveals The 'Epic' Tone Of Season 11

The ‘Supernatural‘ panel convened in Hall H on Sunday 11, 2015 at San Diego Comic Con, with executive producer/showrunner Jeremy Carver, writer/producer Andrew Dabb and actors Jared Padalecki, Jensen Ackles, Misha Collins and Mark A. Sheppard on hand to discuss Season Ten and the upcoming Season Eleven.

Don’t expect a demon/crisis of the week format, as Carver said the new season would be more epic, “Last year, we had a lot of intensely personal stories, and this year we’re going back to a little more of an epic feel, with a Big Bad and a… real quest for the brothers to unite on.”

The cast echoed that in a departure from last season, Sam and Dean Winchester would be united on their quest. Not only that, but expect to see Castiel by their sides as well, although he might need time to recuperate after falling victim to the spell at the end of last season. Collins stressed that although the spell affects Cas differently than it does humans, it affects him nonetheless and will do so throughout upcoming episodes.

It was also stressed that there would be a lot of repercussions, mainly from the fact that Rowena removed the Mark of Cain. The Mark contained The Darkness, a force that predates God and the Universe. It is believed to be so powerful that it cannot be defeated, just locked away in the Mark. Now unconstrained, a battle is brewing between God and The Darkness. “As we begin to meet the Darkness… we begin to see that there is a lot of unfinished business in that clash…and the boys will find themselves in the middle of it.”

Sam will experience a great deal of guilt and responsibility regarding his choices in regard to The Darkness being released. After all of their dealings with the spiritual world, Padelecki and Carver stated that for the first time, Sam may seek out a higher power. Said Carver, “The boys will realize that they are partially or mostly responsible and I think that this weighs really heavily on them. And I think it’s going to be one of those seasons where we will see them experiencing a fair amount of guilt…but also a sense of drive to put this back together.”

For Dean, there could be dire consequences for his decision not to kill Sam. Because he killed Death instead, that may result in Dean becoming the new Horseman of Death. But don’t expect the mopey, sulky Dean from the past season. “The pity party is over… sometimes you’ve got to do a little bad to do good.”

Also, despite some fans’ speculations, don’t expect Crowley to become the new Death. Sheppard nixed the idea but expressed enjoyment at continuing the role, because “you never quite know if he’s telling the truth or not.”

The writers remained mum on the sore subject of the death of fan-beloved Charlie Bradbury in Season 10, but if it helps, Carver responded that she might return if there was a good reason, to which Dabb concurred.

In lighter news, everyone on hand expressed excitement over the new season’s Episode 4, entitled ‘Baby.’ Dabb referred to it as a “keystone episode” while Ackles called it a “dream com true.” It turns out, the episode will be told from the perspective of Dean’s beloved Impala.

And since it is their show,

don’t expect the brothers to fail. After all, as Padelecki joked flatly, they’re not the “Lose-chesters.”

You can actually watch the entire panel below:

(Video courtesy of Flicks in the City)