"Castle" ended the first half of season 8 with Castle and Beckett still separated as the NYPD captain was determined to catch her team's killers. But fans did get the satisfaction of seeing the two reunite briefly — an interlude that might have consequences when the series returns. 

According to "Castle" showrunners Alexi Hawley and Terence Paul Winter, the pair's truncated reunion has certainly set the stage for a new twist in the story, which would allow the viewers to see the couple separated in public but still together in private. 

Production for episode 9, the midseason premiere, has already started. And according to reports, it will focus on how Castle (Nathan Fillion) and Beckett (Stana Katic) will pretend to be separated when in the company of friends and family. 

There have also been reports that Beckett will be revealed to be pregnant in the second half of the season. But both Hawley and Winter shut down that idea, saying that there won't be any baby Castle in the near future. 

However, Castle will be working with his daughter Alexis (Molly Quinn) in episode 14. The father and daughter duo will be heading to Los Angeles to investigate a murder case, and Castle's new partner, Hayley (Toks Olagundoye), will also be going along for the ride. 

The trio will also reportedly be encountering a familiar face that might be connected to Castle's disappearance during their wedding. The disappearance in question happened last season and, based on the reactions, it seems a number of fans are not too keen on revisiting it. Some fans even wondered why it was still relevant as it happened last season, while others are questioning the direction this story arc will be taking. 

Hawley had mentioned in a previous TV Line interview that Castle's disappearance actually had something to do with his wife. But she also admitted that she and Winter haven't finalized the story yet.

"Castle" season 8 will return to ABC on Feb. 1, 2016.