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It’s a little over a week until AMC’s The Walking Dead shuffles onto the small screen once more and given the gripping midseason finale, there’s an air of palpable excitement for its imminent return. With the ninth episode due to premiere on Sunday, February 8, the network has unveiled a collection of character stills to get fans geared up for the return of the popular zombie serial.

Showcasing a tired and weary group, the images feature some of the leading stars of the hit show including Rick, Daryl and Carol, along with several other new survivors that have come to the fore throughout the first half of season five. Intense, atmospheric and with just the right amount of apprehension, these images build upon the tone set out by last week’s teaser trailer, teeing up a hunt or be hunted situation. And of course, zombies!

You can get reacquainted with AMC’s band of grizzled survivors in the gallery below. The Walking Dead returns for another stint of post-apocalyptic action on February 8.

After the tragic events of the mid-season finale–as well as losing the possibility of a cure in Washington, DC–Rick Grimes’ band of survivors find themselves on the road, surviving day to day and trying to hold on to their shredded humanity and dwindling hope. Stripped of security and without a direction for the future, some of the group near their breaking point, some find themselves hardened and cold and some just try to grasp on to what little they have left. Though they are still breathing, the line between Rick’s group and the dead is starting to blur. Could there be anything at this point that brings them back to life?