Great News Castiel Fans! SuperWiki recently posted a link to the Chicago Tribune, in which writer Maureen Ryan had this to say about whether or not Castiel would return.
"...We've been having quite a debate in the comment section of my "Supernatural" Season 5 finale post about what the deal is with Sam Winchester, by the way. And people have also been worried that Misha Collins' character, Castiel, might not be back. Well, on the second question, it looks like you can put your mind at ease. Collins is listed as a series regular for Season 6 in the CW's press release, which is worth quoting in full, in regards to "Supernatural":
Returning for its sixth season, this haunting series follows Sam and Dean Winchester, two brothers bound by tragedy and blood to their dangerous, other-worldly mission. This past season, Dean and Sam faced their toughest foe yet: the Devil himself. As the Apocalypse raged on around them, the brothers, aided only by a dwindling band of fellow hunters and rebel angel Castiel, sought a way to stop Lucifer and save the planet. Ultimately, they discovered a way to force Lucifer back into Hell and end the Apocalypse – but at tremendous cost: Sam’s life. Season 6 will be a season of mystery and shadow. Heaven and Hell have been left in complete disarray since the apocalyptic events of Season 5. And now, monsters, angels and demons roam across a lawless and chaotic landscape. And so Dean Winchester, who has retired from hunting and sworn never to return, finds himself being pulled back into his old life – pulled back by none other than Sam Winchester, who has escaped from Hell. The two reunite to beat back the rising tide of creatures and demon-spawn, but they quickly realize that neither are who they used to be, their relationship isn’t what it used to be, and that nothing is what it seems.
The series stars Jared Padalecki as Sam Winchester, Jensen Ackles as Dean Winchester and Misha Collins as Castiel. "Supernatural" is from Warner Bros. Television in association with Wonderland Sound and Vision, with executive producers McG (“Nikita,” “Charlie’s Angels,” “The O.C.”), Eric Kripke (“Boogeyman”), Robert Singer (“Midnight Caller”), Sera Gamble, Ben Edlund and Phil Sgriccia."
I don't know about the rest of you but I am even more excited now that it's confirmed my favorite character will be back. Castiel is one of the few characters (i.e. Ruby, Bella, etc.) that has been brought on Supernatural that actually became such a favorite for fans. Which in Castiel's case, is proven true considering his original storyline was he was going to die after 6 episodes into season 4, but producers and fans enjoyed the character so much that they kept him on. Then with season 5, Misha Collins received not only a position as series regular but named one of the stars of the show. A title that not even Jim Beavers (Bobby) has received, and he's been around since the first season. Which, I think, this season Jim deserves his name being mentioned as one of the series' stars rather than a guest appearance. Now all I need to make this season even more awesome is Mark Sheppard returning as Crowley at some point in the season.