Supernatural boss hints at Dean's "struggle" when he returns in season 14

Supernatural fans can expect Dean Winchester to be rescued at some point during season 14. But it looks like being Michael's prisoner will have much longer term effects on the character.

Showrunner Andrew Dabb discussed the upcoming episodes, indicating that the biggest threats to Dean while trapped by Michael aren't physical but rather the "after-effect".

"The dangers for him are more when Dean comes out of this, or when he's rescued from this," he told TVLine. "What is going to be the after-effect of it?

"For our characters, especially our main characters, everything they go through, from stubbing their toe to dying for the 34th time, it's less about the event [and] more about how it affects them moving forward.

"That's something Dean's going to be struggling with as our season progresses."

Dabb added that Sam and Castiel are "coping in their own ways" as they attempt to rescue Dean from Michael.

"For Sam, obviously, he's extremely driven to find Dean," he said. "He's mobilised everyone he can think of, including the Apocalypse World hunters, to do this.

"Cas is very much the same way. Cas is very much like, 'We have to find him'. He's going to certain people, possibly with black eyes, who he would not normally contact, but he's looking for their help to find Dean."

Dabb previously said that it has been an exciting challenge writing episodes without Dean, who is "such a fundamental part of the show".