You won't have to end 2016 without a new Homeland episode after all.

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While the Emmy-winning terrorism drama won't technically be back on TV in the US until next month, Showtime has put the season six premiere up for streaming more than two weeks early.

Showtime subscribers can stream 'Fair Game' now on the dedicated app, or on Hulu if US fans have added the pay channel as a premium add-on.

An early release for the season six opener means Homeland won't technically have gone a full calendar year without a new episode.

Although Homeland was renewed for three more seasons earlier in the year, producers opted to take an extended hiatus in 2016 in order to map out the future of the show.

After her disastrous year working as a private security officer in Berlin, ex-CIA agent Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes) is now back in the US working for a nonprofit aiming to protect Muslims from discrimination.

But it wouldn't be long before Carrie is drawn back into the world of terrorism as her old CIA mentor Saul Berenson (Mandy Patinkin) comes calling…

Last month, Claire Danes hinted in a behind-the-scenes teaser that Homeland's long-awaited sixth season would be its most intense yet.

"It's a really fascinating time, that transitional moment, and that president will heavily inform the character of the [CIA]," Danes explained.

"Carrie will always be in the middle. The pace isn't going to get any slower, the questions aren't going to get any simpler and the characters aren't going to get any less complex."

Claire Danes and Mandy Patinkin in Homeland season 6pinterest
JoJo Whilden/SHOWTIME Showtime

If you'd rather wait to watch the season premiere on TV, Showtime will air Homeland's return on Sunday, January 15, 2017 in the US. Channel 4 airs the show in the UK.


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Justin is a freelance entertainment journalist and writer. He first joined Digital Spy as a freelance entertainment reporter in 2010 and also worked as a sub-editor for the brand, serving as Night News Editor from 2016 to 2024. Over more than a decade, Justin has covered numerous major entertainment events from the US and has interviewed a wide-ranging group of public figures, from comedian Steve Coogan to icons from the Star Trek universe, cast members from the Marvel Cinematic Universe and reality stars from numerous Real Housewives cities and the Below Deck franchise. Justin has also been on the ground to cover major pop culture events like the Star Wars Celebration and the D23 Expo. He's written for titles across the Hearst network, plus the likes of CBR and Us Weekly.