They're back! Christina Hendricks, January Jones and Jessica Paré smoulder in striking new Mad Men images ahead of season six

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.

Not long now: The cast of Mad Men star in new images to promote season six. (L-R) Christopher Stanley, Mason Vale Cotton, January Jones, Evan/Ryder Londo, Kiernan Shipka, Jessica Pare and Jon Hamm

Famous curves: Christina Hendricks, as Joan Harris, shows off her hourglass figure in a blue satin and beaded dress

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.

Smoking hot: John Slattery, who plays Roger Sterling, puffs on a cigar with Jon's character Don

Game on: (L-R) Rich Sommer, Jay R. Ferguson, Ben Feldman and Aaron Staton play billiards while sipping on scotch

Stolen moment: Recently married Don and Megan share an intense look in a quiet corner of a cocktail party

May I have this dance?: Alison Brie, who plays Trudy Campbell, does the waltz with Vincent Kartheiser, who plays Pete Campbell

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.

Ready for her close-up: Along with the rest of the cast Christina posed for black and white portraits

Pretty in prints: Christina is seen in a plant printed suit and her flaming red locks tied in a chignon

Ice queen: January is one cool customer as she poses as Betty Harris in a ruffled cream ensemble

Sixties siren: Jessica has the 1960s style down to a tee in her printed dress with big bouncy hair

It comes after further photographs set at the same party were released at the end of January, followed by a promotional poster which showed a drawing of Don Draper holding hands with a woman out of shot.
Jon and Jessica recently whet the appetites of fans when they gave some hints as to what viewers can expect from the new season.
Jessica admitted there will be 'more great costumes and more big hair' but hinted that there are likely to be twists and turns in the plot as she added: 'It's not coming in the way you expect.'

Gossip girls: Jessica, Christina and January are seen with Elisabeth Moss, who plays Peggy Olson

Love rivals: Don's present and past wives put on a cold front at the fictional cocktail party

Sticking together: Henry wraps a protective arm around his wife Betty's tiny waist

Fever pitch: Jessica and Jon recently excited fans by teasing them about what to expect next season

On the up: At the end of last season Joan became a partner at Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce, while Peggy quit

Jon, meanwhile, suggested Don's double life is set to be explored, saying: 'There are two parts of life: The part that is public and the part that is private.'
Show creator Matthew Weiner also promised 'a lot of insight into Don, a new dynamic, and also people striving to grow up.'
He noted that the new series will start in the Spring of 1967, a time of upheaval, enthusing: 'There's not a year left between now and then which is not filled with upheaval.'
The show’s two-hour-long premiere on AMC will air in the U.S. on April 7.

They mean business: John and Pete pose side by side in character while wearing three-piece suits

Double life: Both Jon and show creator Matthew Weiner have revealed Don will be focused on a lot next season

Caught in the middle: After Sally develops a strong bond with stepmother Megan, her mother Betty attempts to destroy the relationship

Less than one month to go: Pete and Betram Cooper, played by Robert Morse, will be back when Mad Men returns on April 7