'Homeland' season 6 cast news, spoilers: Rupert Friend's injury delays production; series could end with season 8

Production for the upcoming sixth season of "Homeland" has been delayed due to an injury sustained by series star Rupert Friend.

Friend, who plays CIA operative/assassin Peter Quinn in the political espionage thriller, arrived at Showtime's pre-Emmys party on Saturday, Sept. 17, on crutches, Deadline reported. The actor was apparently injured while filming the first and second episodes of season 6 in New York City. The outlet said that production on "Homeland" has been delayed as a result.

"Everyone has been very accommodating," Friend told Deadline. According to the actor, he broke a bone on his right ankle while off the set. Nonetheless, the injury is said to be related to a couple of on-set incidents during the filming of seasons 4 and 5 of the Showtime serial drama. Friend reportedly rolled his foot during those instances, weakening his ligaments.

While the actor's ankle is healing, "Homeland" executive producer Leslie Linka Glatter, who is helming episodes 3 and 4 of season 6, is shooting parts of the episodes that don't require Friend to move around.

According to Deadline, showrunner Alex Gansa has confirmed that "Homeland" will push through with its Jan. 15, 2017 premiere date despite production being delayed.

The last time Quinn was seen in "Homeland," he was in a hospital bed, either dead or close to dying. The outlet noted that the fact that Friend's injury has affected season 6's production so much can only mean that Quinn will be on his feet in the new season.

Meanwhile, Gansa recently revealed that he is planning on the eighth season of "Homeland" to be its last. In an interview with Deadline, the "Homeland" boss said that his team will be writing an ending for the drama in season 8. He also admitted, however, that the decision to close "Homeland" with its eighth season will be up to Showtime. But whether or not the cabler agrees, Gansa said that he will be "done" with the series by then and said that working on "Homeland" has been very rewarding but also very hard.

Showtime has renewed the series for an eighth season.

"Homeland" season 6 debuts Sunday, Jan. 15, 2017, on Showtime.