Contract negotiations severely delayed the start of production on Mad Men season 5, but now a new interview with the actress who plays Joan reveals when they’ll head back to film.

From Digital Spy:

“It should be less than a month, I would think,” Hendricks answered when asked when she would be returning to Mad Men. “Our writers are back, so that’s a good sign. But I saw Matt Weiner last night, and there’s still no definite day.”

Hendricks went on to state that she was never worried that creator Weiner would not return to the series.

“This show couldn’t be made without Matt Weiner. He is the show. So I knew that something would be figured out. I knew it would be,” said Hendricks.

Mad Men’s season 5 premiere will occur in 2012!