SPOILER ALERT

FANS of Homeland might be surprised that a new series is about to air after the shock ending of season three.

The dynamic of the hit political thriller was always about the relationship between Carrie Mathison, a CIA battling a bipolar disorder, and Nicholas Brody, a former Al-Qaeda prisoner of war.

Regarded as a war hero and then a terror suspect, Brody’s complex story dramatically came to an end when the congressman-turned-fugitive-turned-operative was hanged in Iran.

In true soap opera style, Brody, played by the excellent Damian Lewis, also found out Carrie (Claire Danes) was pregnant with his child moments before his death. But it was a powerful scene and one that played out like the closing moments of the final episode of a show.

So to see a new trailer advertising season four feels a little bizarre.

Brody and Carrie’s relationship dominated the first 36 episodes of the Emmy award-winner.

Although some argue that it derailed Homeland’s focus on international politics and espionage.

After all, according to showrunners Howard Gordon and Alex Gansa, who previously worked on 24, Brody was originally only supposed to be in the first season.

New episodes see Carrie in her new role as station chief in Istanbul who recruits a new character played by Life of Pi star Suraj Sharma.

The trailer shows her travelling to Pakistan, longing for her daughter who is back in America.

Homeland’s film crew travelled to South Africa for the shoot which is standing in for Pakistan.

The trailer also shows Mandy Patinkin, Rupert Friend and F. Murray Abraham reprising their characters as Saul Berenson, Peter Quinn and Dar Adal.

They were all excellent in their supporting roles but James Rebhorn, who played Carrie’s dad, sadly died and it is currently unknown if the character will be recast.

Perhaps it is best to view season four as the next chapter in Carrie’s story, drawing a line under Brody.

But with Gordon and Gansa’s brave decision to kill off one of the show’s main characters, can the duo retain the sizzling chemistry, tension and paranoia which made Homeland the hit it is?

* Homeland season four starts in America on October 5. A UK air date for Channel 4 has yet to be confirmed.