How does Dean get out of Purgatory when Supernatural begins season 8 this October? Meet actor Ty Olsson as Benny.

Benny is a new recurring character for season 8, a dark and dangerous vampire who helps Dean escape from Purgatory. Obviously this will cause a bit of tension between Sam and Dean when they reunite since Dean may not be completely forthcoming about his time in Purgatory and his relationship with a vampire.

Oddly enough, Olsson has played a vampire on Supernatural before. Back in season 2 he played Eli, one of the vampires in Lenore's group who refused to drink human blood. Lenore recently reappeared after a long absence, but since this character has a different name, he's probably not the same guy.

Olsson is probably best known as Captain Kelly from Battlestar Galactica. In a Supernatural connection, his character tried to kill Romo Lampkin (played by Crowley himself Mark Sheppard).  And in yet another strange coincidence, Olsson is no stranger to vampires, playing Bella's stepfather Phil in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn.

What do you think of Dean's new vampire savior? Check out his first appearance when Supernatural season 8 begins Wednesday, October 3 at 9pm on the CW.