Jon Hamm directing 'Mad Men' season 5 premiere

Los Angeles, CA, United States (AHN Entertainment) - "Mad Men" star Jon Hamm is set to direct the fifth season premiere of the AMC drama. The 40-year-old actor says the idea to helm for the show has been "in the back of my mind" for a while.

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He told TVLine, "The wheels have officially been set in motion to make that happen. It's a very exciting challenge that I'm looking forward to with a mixture of utter fear and excitement."

"It helps to have people you know and trust surrounding you. We've been fortunate enough to have very little turnover not only in our cast but in our crew."

Hamm is not the first series star to get behind the camera. Co-star John Slattery directed an episode during the fourth season.

"I watched Slattery do it, and he handled it with such grace and ability and ease," Hamm said. "I figured if he can do it, s***, I can do it too."

Production for the fifth season will kick off in August, but Hamm is required to "go back a little early to start prepping."