'Supernatural' Season 7: 'Firefly's' Jewel Staite to guest star

"Supernatural" has a long history of inviting some of our favorite genre actresses to guest star -- including "Buffy's" Amber Benson, "Battlestar Galactica's" Tricia Helfer, and even Linda Blair, from "The Exorcist."

Sources confirm to Zap2it that Joss Whedon alum Jewel Staite has now joined the esteemed list. Staite is certainly a mainstay in the sci-fi/fantasy arena, having starred on Whedon's "Firefly" and "Serenity" as Kaylee and on "Stargate: Atlantis" as Dr. Jennifer Keller. (Some of us non sci-fi folks also remember her from the short-lived but totally awesome '90s series "Flash Forward" with Ben Foster.)

Staite will appear in the third episode this season, set to air Oct. 7, as a childhood friend of Sam's (Jared Padalecki) who he encounters on a hunt. The story will involve flashbacks -- there's no word yet on who will play the younger version of Staite's character, Amy, but we have confirmed that Colin Ford will return as 15-year-old Sam.

The episode is currently shooting in Vancouver, directed by series star Jensen Ackles. Staite has been dropping vague hints about her appearance on the show via her official Twitter. "Off to Vancouver soon to shoot a juicy role in a show u guys know! Can only drop hints at this point. #1? No spaceships. To ride in or fix," she tweeted. "It's killing me not being allowed to tell u what it is! I keep secrets like I keep diets: Not well."

What do you think of Staite's casting, "Supernatural" fans? Do you think her character will survive the episode?