Christopher Stanley, Mason Vale Cotton, January Jones, Evan/Ryder Londo, Kiernan Shipka, Jessica Pare and Jon Hamm (Photo/Agencies)

Christina Hendricks, as Joan Harris (Photo/Agencies)

John Slattery, as Roger Sterling and Jon's character Don (Photo/Agencies)

Rich Sommer, Jay R. Ferguson, Ben Feldman and Aaron Staton play billiards while sipping on scotch (Photo/Agencies)

Recently married Don and Megan (Photo/Agencies)

Alison Brie, as Trudy Campbell, dances with Vincent Kartheiser, as Pete Campbell (Photo/Agencies)

Fans are eagerly awaiting the return of Mad Men to their small screens when season six kicks off next month.

But there’s no doubt the excitement about next season will reach fever pitch following the release of new images to promote the show.

In particular, the drama’s female leads look stunning as they return to the roles that made them household names.

Christina Hendricks shows off her hourglass figure as she poses as Joan Harris in a form-fitting blue satin dress with beaded detailing.

She is later seen in a plant printed suit to pose for artistic black and white portraits, with each prominent cast member taking part.

January Jones as Betty Francis and Jessica Paré as Megan Draper can each be seen in 1960s dresses for their own artistic portraits.

The pair are also seen with their onscreen husbands Don Draper (John Hamm) and Henry Francis (Christopher Francis) in a dramatic cocktail party image.

Elisabeth Moss, who portrays Peggy Olson, also appears in the snaps, including one which shows her gossiping and sipping martinis with the likes of Christina, January and Jessica’s characters.

Meanwhile the men of the show, based around advertising agency Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce, smoulder as they sip scotch, puff on cigars and play a competitive game of billiards.

(Agencies)