'Homeland' season 6 release date, spoilers news 2016: 'Prison Break' star joins series; Peter Quinn becomes villain

"Homeland" season 6 is set to air on Jan. 15, 2017 over Showtime, and already, things are shaping up for the political thriller series.

Showrunner Alex Gansa has confirmed that the upcoming season will be set during the transition of power from one president of the United States to the newly elected POTUS, who happens to be female. The female president-elect, Elizabeth Keane, will be played by "House of Cards" alum Elizabeth Marvel.

In addition, the sixth season will also explore what happens to Peter Quinn (Rupert Friend) after he recovers from the lethal gas poisoning he experienced in the hands of jihadists. It will be recalled that Quinn was on the brink of death when season 5 ended, and his fate remained unknown until recently when he was spotted on the New York set of "Homeland." However, Quinn looked different and unkempt. He was wearing baggy clothes, sporting long hair, and looking disheveled.

During the Television Critics Association press tour held last month, Gansa teased that Quinn is among the characters to watch out for in the upcoming season. Apparently, the CIA operative and assassin will recover from the major stroke he suffered, albeit a changed person. Variety notes Gansa as saying that Quinn will be a changed man personally and professionally. This led many to speculate that Quinn will be a season 6 villain, and if that proves to be true, then his relationship with Carrie (Claire Danes) will surely be affected.

Meanwhile, aside from Quinn's altered persona, the entry of "Prison Break" alum Robert Knepper is worth anticipating, too. The 57-year-old actor has been tapped for a recurring role in "Homeland" season 6.

According to reports, Knepper will play the role of General Jaime McClendon, a delegate of the Department of Defense. General McClendon will be the one briefing the incoming POTUS and her team, although very few details have been shared about the character. Some fans of the series are speculating that the character is connected one way or another to Carrie.

In related news, the International Business Times reports that Carrie will be in a "very different and singular journey" in the upcoming season, as per Gansa. He also described Quinn's transformation this season, saying he "will really represent a very profound and familiar casualty of the war on terror for our audience."

"Homeland" season 6 will return on Jan. 15, 2017 on Showtime.