Supernatural‘s Misha Collins recently teased Castiel’s arc in season 8 and where the angel disappeared to at the end of season 7.

EW has the quotes from a recent set visit in Vancouver:

First, Collins explained where Castiel went at the end of season 7 after he and Dean unexpectedly found themselves in Purgatory, saying, “[Cas] left Dean because he wanted to try to keep him safe. [Cas] being around is actually a liability in Purgatory, and he’s working to try to right the wrongs of his past doings.”

Collins also teased that episodes 7 and 8 will explore more about what Castiel was up to during the missing year in Purgatory as well as where the character is going in season 8, hinting that “[t]here’s something going on with Cas that neither Cas nor the brothers know. Cas is sort of being manipulated behind the scenes and he’s not aware of that and neither are the boys. We’ll see how that affects their relationship in the long run.”

As for Castiel’s views on Dean’s new BFF, Benny the vampire? “He’s wary of Benny from the get-go,” Collins explains, “and I think that he then is possibly a bit jealous too of the friendship or camaraderie that happens between Dean and Benny. You know, Cas doesn’t have a lot of other friends in Purgatory.”

We don’t doubt the fact that his and Dean’s friendship was on the rocks for the last two seasons makes the situation even harder on Castiel.

Looking for more ‘Supernatural’ season 8?

We have a preview, clip, episode description, and promotional stills for season 8’s second episode, “What’s Up, Tiger Mommy?”

We also have episode descriptions for episode 3, “Heartache,” and episode 4, “Bitten.” Promotional stills for “Heartache” were also recently released.