Supernatural Lets Katie Cassidy Go

• Jun 23, 2008 04:30 PM ET
• by TV Guide News

Sexy Supernatural thief Bela (Lauren Cohan) has already been sent to hell - unlike Dean, she won't be released - and now the show's creator Eric Kripke tells TV Guide it's bye bye to sexy demon Ruby ( Katie Cassidy) as well.

"She's great, but this was unfortunately a financial decision - purely budgetary, because creatively she was terrific," Kripke said. "I have nothing but great affection for Katie, and she was great for the show. It was a very difficult business decision about the realities we are in." Though the budget's the same as last year, the show films in Canada and is suffering from a lousy exchange rate.

There will be female characters, Kripke promises. But expect more of the love 'em, leave 'em or kill 'em variety. "We have a plan that's as exciting as any we've ever had of how to thread new characters in some unexpected ways," he said, adding that the season opener will have a couple of "bombshells that will set the show off in a new direction." Just don't mess too much with those Winchester boys! - Ileane Rudolph