Supernatural fans shouldn't fret - season 12 is just around the corner, and it will furnish Sam and Dean with the standard compliment of episodes.

The Winchester brothers ended season 11 in various states of distress and confusion, but writers will be able to flesh out the Mary Winchester (Samantha Smith) and Lady Toni (Elizabeth Blackmore) over the course of 23 episodes.

The CW has granted their flagship series 23 episodes for the last five seasons, and according to co-producer Jim Michaels, the 2016-2017 run will be no different.

Jensen Ackles (Dean) also confirmed the season 12 schedule while detailing his decision to step back from the director's chair after helming 1 episode every year for the past five seasons.

"I just decided to take the first part of the season easy," Ackles told TV Line. "Twenty-three episodes [per season] is a long, long shoot, and I usually would direct the first episode that we would film... so it's basically like sprinting the first several miles of a marathon, which doesn't really work if you're a good runner. You want to pace yourself, so I'm going to pace myself this year."

Without Ackles behind the camera, Supernatural will kick off production with filming for the premiere on July 12. Titled "Keep Calm and Carry On," the episode has clear ties to Lady Toni's British origins. Will the Woman of Letters abscond to England with an injured Sam (Jared Padalecki), or will Dean discover his brother's plight before their new foe can clear customs? Whatever the case, it sounds like season 12 will plant the Union Jack firmly upon Supernatural soil.

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

Tags: supernatural television the cw