'Homeland' season 6 spoilers: Is Otto Düring the next villain?

Is Otto Düring an antagonist in "Homeland" season 6?Facebook/Showtime

Season 6 of the hit Showtime series may be set in and around New York City, but it does not mean Carrie Mathison (Clare Danes) and the CIA will be facing only American villains. In fact, one person who can prove to be a thorn on their side is German and he knows a lot about Carrie.

After all the events that happened last season, Otto Düring (Sebastian Koch) is one wild card the viewers should be wary about. Ever since the character was introduced as a philanthropist and Carrie's boss in a Berlin private security firm, Otto has remained elusive. Little else is known about him, except the fact that he fell for Carrie in more ways than one. The German offered her marriage during the season 5 finale. Peter Quinn's (Rupert Friend) unfortunate predicament, however, prevented her from considering the proposal. When the installment ended with Carrie on a vigil beside Quinn's hospital bed, viewers got the idea that Otto has been forgotten.

Although it looked at times that he really was in love with Carrie, his sudden admission came as a surprise to viewers. Loyal followers could not help but wonder if his offer was only a means to establish a good intel relationship with the American agent. As the CIA slowly opens its doors to Carrie, Otto can see that it is only a matter of time until the agency brings her back to the fold. Once they are married or even engaged, Carrie will prove to be a valuable asset for his people.

Now that Quinn appears to have survived his death-defying ordeal, Otto's plan will hit a snag. Carrie will obviously choose Quinn, which leaves him alone and humiliated. Will this push him to become Carrie's number one antagonist for season 6? Series co-creator Howard Gordon basically admitted to The Hollywood Reporter at the Television Critics Association winter press tour earlier this month that Friend's character is coming back, but he would not be the same. After being exposed to sarin gas, Quinn has become "severely damaged."

"I will say that Quinn, who is extraordinary... has a good chance of coming back. The way we're thinking about bringing him back — if he does come back — is really exciting to me personally," he shared.

"Homeland" season 6 is expected to premiere sometime within the year.