Homeland isn’t doing Rupert Friend any favors, both on-screen and off. The actor, who’s character almost died at the end of the fifth season, arrived at a pre-Emmys party for Showtime on Saturday on crutches. Because of the injury, Entertainment Weekly has confirmed that production on the sixth season of Homeland has been delayed.
Friend’s current injury is from a broken bone in his ankle that happened when he was off work. The injury is because of two on-set injuries that happened between the fourth and fifth seasons of the show where Friend rolled his foot and weakened the ligaments in his ankle.
In the meantime, executive producer Lesli Linka Glatter, who’s directing the third and fourth episodes of the season, is shooting other scenes of the show that don’t require Friend. Showrunner Alex Gansa still anticipates that the new season will still premiere on Jan. 15.
“Everyone has been very accommodating,” Friend said.
Meanwhile, Claire Danes gave a preview of what the upcoming season of the show looks like. Danes’ character, Carrie, is settling down in New York City, where she’s working at a center to help Muslim Americans. The show is also taking place during a time where the president is handing over the reins to a female president-elect, who will be played by Elizabeth Marvel.
“In keeping with the tradition of the show, there will be striking parallels between what’s happening politically (in reality) and what’s happening in our world of make believe. I think (season 6) is more about deep-conscience diving rather than madness or preaching madness. I think it’s a lot about policy and politics and how the CIA participates in that, because it does take place in America. I think that’s the most relevant, exciting happening right now. It’s wild what’s occurring and it’s worth investigating, so that’s what we’ll be doing,” Danes said.
Other new characters coming to the season besides Marvel. Patrick Sabongui, Hill Harper and Robert Knepper will all have recurring characters in the upcoming season, with Sabongui playing a CUNY law professor, Harper will be the new president’s chief-of-staff and Knepper will be a representative from the Department of Defense.
At the Primetime Emmys from this past weekend, Danes was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, losing to Tatiana Maslany. The show has won multiple Emmys while its been on the air, including Outstanding Drama Series in 2012.
Season six of Homeland premieres on Jan. 15 at 9 p.m. on Showtime.