A lot of surprises are in store for Homeland season 5, after the show left off season 4 with several emotional entanglements and the CIA team back once again in the United States, following the embassy attack in Islamabad.
Some criticized that the finale was anti-climatic, but Showtime president David Nevins recently told Variety that there is a reason why they bought everyone back and why the characters, particularly Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes) need to deal with her family.
"I think a show with this amount of political and narrative complexity can do a last episode that has a change of pace. I thought they needed to do an episode back in Washington, and needed to deal with Carrie's family situation and her issues with motherhood," he said.
Nevins hinted that Carrie finally meeting her mother Ellen (Victoria Clark) during the season finale will really affect the next season's storyline. It is also possible that Carrie's half-brother will be introduced then.
Homeland's season 5, according to Nevins, will focus heavily on America building its position in international politics, particularly the Middle East. Saul will lead the CIA as director, and he will deal with his new alliance with Dar Adal.
As far as romance goes, Quinn will be in Syria next season, and Carrie will struggle with feelings of missing him.
Meanwhile, showrunner Alex Gansa chose to remain tight-lipped about Homeland season 5 since a lot of details have not yet been confirmed. "We have some options, and we're discussing them, but we probably won't make any decisions until March," he said in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
There are no details yet when Homeland season 5 will premiere, but it is possible that the show will be back late September or early October this year. Filming for the upcoming season has been set on May.