Season 3

Season Three consists of 23 episodes that aired on Wednesday at 10:00 pm in the United States beginning October 4, 2007, and ending May 15, 2008.

Principal cast
In order of character appearances
 * Jensen Acklesas James Harrison(23/23)
 * Jared Padalaki as Sam Harrison (23/23)
 * TBA as Danielle Harrison (23/23)
 * Eliza Dushu as Katherine Winters (16/23)
 * Mischa Collins as Luke Hunters (15/23)
 * Lauren Cohram as Bela (10/23)**
 * Jeffery Dean Morgan as John Harrison(2/23)*
 * Departs the cast during "301" and Special guest star 323


 * credited only in the episodes appeared in

Trivia

 * The absence of Katherine's character for five episodes between episode 3.04 and 3.10 was written partly due to Eliza Dusku being busy on another project, and network pressure on wanting to end the James/Katherine relationship and bold storytelling to make the three siblings more lone wolves. The main three actors James/Dean/Danielle had a 6-year contract, while all other main characters had year to year contracts. Eliza Dushu's contract for season 3 wasn't renewed for a full year, and only for 3 episodes. The character was not killed off at the end of episode 3.04, but instead she parted ways with James and left. The next four scripts were written without Katherine, it was during the writing of episode eight that the contract issue was resolved and Eliza returned for the season. Episode 10 marked her return, and since episode 9's script felt her presence and return wasn't needed, it was moved to 9. Eliza Dusku's name did not appear during episodes 5 through 9, due to the contract issue, but was reinstated during episode 10.
 * The writers confirmed at a convention panel in early 2012, that the intension was to never kill off Katherine, even if the issues continued for longer period of time. They hoped her return would be towards the end of season 3, if it was an issue that lasted for a long duration.
 * The reappearence of Laura during episode 10 during the dream realm was originally intended to be John, but was changed to Laura due to actor available, but it turned out to be better for the story.

Character Absences

 * Katherine does not appear in 7 episodes:
 * 3, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9 and #14.
 * Luke does not appear in 9 episodes:
 * 2, #3, #6, #7, #9, #13, #14, #18 and #19.
 * Bela appears in 10 episodes:
 * 3, #6, #7, #10, #11, #12, #17, #18, #22 and #23.