Sorry, Supernatural fans, Jensen Ackles will not step behind the camera this fall.

The actor donned his director hat once a season for the last five seasons, bringing us such episodes as "Weekend at Bobby's," "Bad Seed," and "Soul Survivor." Season 12, however, will see Ackles focus solely on his role as Dean Winchester.

The news comes just weeks before the star would normally head back to Vancouver to prep for his time at the helm.

"Not this season by his own choice," co-executive producer Jim Michaels said of Ackles' directorial future.

Instead of working up a list of shots and scouting locations as his vaction comes to an end, the actor can now just focus on the premiere. While Supernatural is keeping season 12 details under wraps, it's two leads dropped a few teasers at last week's Saturn Awards. For Dean, the future is all about Mary Winchester (Samantha Smith).

"I literally just got [the premiere script]. I read the teaser in the car on the way here. I was like, 'alright, that's where we're going,'" Ackles told Access Hollywood. "[Mary] is basically what the teaser is about, as you can imagine, because that's the biggest question. What is she doing back? Why is she back? What's happening? I don't have any answers."

One can presume, however, that Dean will switch gears as soon as he learns of Sam's (Jared Padalecki) fate. The UK chapter of the Men of Letters sent Lady Toni Bevell (Elizabeth Blackmore) to bring in the Winchester brothers during "Alpha and Omega," causing an unwelcome British invasion that lead to Sammy taking a bullet. All the while, the younger hunter was busy morning Dean's alleged death while Cas (Misha Collins) missed out on both boy's final revelations (see video below). Team Free Will will certainly have some catching up to do this fall.

Find out more when Supernatural returns to The CW on Oct. 13 at 9 p.m. ET.

Tags: supernatural television the cw