Jon Hamm will direct the Season 5 premiere of the Emmy-winning series Mad Men, marking the actor's directorial debut. However, the premiere will air later than expected, with AMC setting a March 16, 2012 premiere date for Season 5.

After lengthy contract negotiations with series creator Matthew Weiner, AMC officially picked up a fifth and sixth season of Mad Men back in March. It was believed that Season 5 of Mad Men would debut in early 2012, possibly January, although it seems the network has pushed the premiere even later.

Jon Hamm will be the second Mad Men cast member to direct an episode. John Slattery directed two episodes in Season 4, Episode 4.04: The Rejected and Episode 4.12: Blowing Smoke.

When Mad Men returns for Season 5, 16 months will have passed between Season 4 and Season 5.