Fans of "Arrow" will be introduced to new characters like crime fighter General Matthew Shrieve and see the return of villains like Slade Wilson and Count Vertigo when the TV series premiers new episodes on The CW next year.

Actor Marc Singer has been cast in a reoccurring role as General Matthew Shrieve, the leader of the Creature Commandos in DC Comics, reports Den of Geek. Singer, who is best known for his roles in "V" and "The Beastmaster," will first appear on the show in Season 3 Episode 14, during the Hong Kong flashback sequences.

"In the DC Comics, Matthew Shrieve is the leader of a group known as the Creature Commandos. In Arrow he will play a significant role in the latter portion of the season's flashback storyline," reads his bio.

Season 2's villain, Slade Wilson, will also mark his return in Episode 14, which is aptly titled "The Return," notes Carter Matt.

TVLine reveals that Thea's love interest, Austin Butler, will also return later on in the season.

"Like a lot of our characters, there's maybe a little bit more to him than meets the eye," exec producer Greg Berlanti teased. When asked how Thea's biological father, Malcolm Merlyn, will react to Butler being in his daughter's life, the EP responded with a laugh, saying, "It would be surprising if he didn't [react.]"

Fans can also expect to see actress Caity Lotz reprise her role as Sara in Episode 13, which is titled "Canaries." According to TVLine, Showrunner Marc Guggenheim described her featured appearance as "a really cool episode," and added that Peter Stormare will return as the villain Count Vertigo.

To kick off the second half of Season 3, the winter premiere will reveal what really happened to Oliver Queen after he seemed to suffer from a fatal defeat in his match off with Ra's al Ghul.

"Arrow" Season 3 will return with Episode 10, "Left Behind," on Wednesday, Jan. 21 at 8 p.m. ET on The CW.