Major Season 9 Casting News
Misha Collins upgraded to series regular for season nine of SPN + directing an episode
Misha Collins will return to the CW series as a series regular next season (the show’s ninth).
In addition to reprising his role as the heavenly angel Castiel, Collins will direct an episode as well.Source: http://tvline.com/2013/02/25/supernatural-season-9-spoilers-misha-collins-returns/