'Supernatural' season 12 cast news, spoilers: Jensen Ackles hints at returning characters; Stephen Amell wants 'Arrow'-'Supernatural' crossover

"Supernatural" has featured numerous character resurrections over the course of its 12-season run and it looks like it will continue bringing back familiar faces in the current season.

At Entertainment Weekly's PopFest in Los Angeles this weekend, "Supernatural" stars Jensen Ackles (Dean Winchester) and Jared Padalecki (Sam Winchester) spoke about the ongoing season and told the crowd that several familiar characters might soon reappear.

During a Q&A panel, a "Supernatural" fan asked about the possibility of the archangel Michael (Matt Cohen and Jake Abel) escaping from Lucifer's Cage, where he was seen imprisoned in season 5. Michael, the eldest archangel, may have also been driven insane during his time in the Cage.

While Ackles did not answer the question directly, he did hint at the upcoming return of familiar characters. "When you have a really good character, and not just that but a really good talented person playing that character, getting them to come back is always a treat for us, and I feel like it's a nice little treat for you guys, as well," the actor said. "I will say there are plans this season to bring back a few of those, so stay tuned," he aded.

Ackles also said that one of the great things about the drama is that the showrunners and the writers have brought back many of the fan-favorite characters. One of these is Mary Winchester (Samantha Smith), Sam and Dean's mother. Mary was killed before "Supernatural" even began, so fans were stunned when she appeared in the current season.

But while the Winchester reunion has brought the boys and their mother joy, it has not been without complications. In the latest episode, Mary, who was still coming to terms with the realization that her husband is dead and that her little boys are now grown men, decided to leave.

"That's a unique aspect of this season," Ackles said. "There is that X factor of emotional connection," he continued.

"Everybody he gets attached to leaves," Padalecki said about his character's reaction to Mary's departure. "Every time he gets too attached to something, it ends up going away," he added.

Meanwhile, Stephen Amell, the star of The CW's "Arrow," recently posted a photo teasing a potential crossover that many fans will surely be looking forward to.

In a photo taken over the weekend, Amell appeared alongside "Arrow" co-star Caity Lotz, "The Flash" star Grant Gustin, "Supergirl" star Melissa Benoist, Ackles, and Padalecki. "This is the crossover we need," Amell captioned the snap.

Screen Rant noted that this wasn't the first time that Amell voiced his support for a crossover involving "Supernatural." While the horror/fantasy drama isn't part of the DC TV universe, it also airs on The CW and films in Vancouver, making the logistical part of a crossover possible. However, it remains to be seen whether a potential storyline incorporating the "Supernatural" characters into the DC TV universe can be written.

"Supernatural" season 12 airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. EDT on The CW.