Supernatural characters do not stay dead for long (unless they are female).  Jim Beaver plays scruffy father figure Bobby Singer and Entertainment Weekly has confirmed that Bobby will return in season 9.

All Supernatural characters have died at least once.  Tragically, Bobby was killed by leviathan Dick Roman in the season 7 episode Death’s Door.  He returned a few episodes later as a ghost, desperate to defeat Dick Roman.  Dean (Jensen Ackles) and Sam (Jared Padelecki) put Bobby’s spirit to rest before the end of the season, fearing that he would be consumed by him vengeance.  Bobby returned for one episode in season 8, where the boys discovered that Bobby’s soul was in Hell and they were tasked with releasing his soul into Heaven.  Before passing through the pearly gates, Bobby commanded the boys to break him out.

Beaver announced his return on Twitter, tweeting, “Try not to get excited, but I’m coming back to SUPERNATURAL. For real.”

No word yet on how Bobby will be returning.  Beaver tweeted, “I don’t know how or why, but I know when. Once I’ve read the script, I’ll know how & why. But you won’t. 🙂 #Bobbysback” he followed up with, “Read the script. Didn’t see this one coming. Whatever you think it is — it ain’t. #Bobbysback“.

Spoiler Alert: One of the more popular theories includes Bobby (and other former characters in Heaven) taking back Heaven.  Because when Metatron took over Heaven there were a few things he was not counting on…

Officially, it is unknown whether or not any other deceased characters will return in season 9.  Though it is true that Misha Collins, who plays conflicted Angel of the Lord Castiel, has regained his status as a regular.