With the season premiere only weeks away, we got some major Supernatural casting news today.

TV Line is reporting that genre staple Amanda Tapping – known for her roles in Stargate and Sanctuary – has been cast in a major recurring role. Tapping will play the “cool and mysterious” Naomi, who showrunner Jeremy Carver describes as “part of a new group of angels we’ve never seen before.”

We reported earlier on Naomi’s initial casting description, in which the character was described as “an efficient bureaucrat in a business suit” who is “more emotional than she looks.”

Tapping will make her Supernatural debut in episode seven, “A Little Slice of Kevin.”

TV Line is also reporting that M*A*S*H alum Mike Farrell will guest star in episode eight, now entitled “Hunteri Heroici,” as Fred Jones, who Carver describes as “an aging mentalist with a slippery grasp on reality.”

It sounds like the angels will be back in a big way in season 8. This makes sense since the season’s story arc centers around working alongside teenage prophet Kevin Tran to use the Word of God to shut the gates of Hell permanently. With it being revealed the angels were working to bring about the Apocalypse in seasons 4 and 5 and two archangels — Michael and Lucifer — locked away in Hell, we doubt the angels will be in the Winchesters’ corner.

Are you excited for Amanda Tapping’s role? How about the return of the angels?

Want more ‘Supernatural’?

The official Supernatural Facebook page recently released nine promo stills from the season premiere, “We Need To Talk About Kevin.”

We also recently posted a fun video from stars Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles thanking fans for getting Supernatural 10 million Likes on Facebook.

Supernatural season 8 premieres on The CW on Wednesday, October 3 at 9 p.m. ET.