AceShowbiz - AMC's "The Walking Dead" has released a new poster of its upcoming season 9. The new key art reveals some new hints at what the long-running zombie apocalypse has in store for the new season which is set to arrive this fall.

The new photo offers a few hints that the show may be heading to Washington, D.C. in season 9. Throughout the series, "The Walking Dead" has been set in and around Alexandria, Virgina, a suburb near the nation's capital. However, D.C. itself has never been shown on the series.

Here’s your first look at #TheWalkingDead Season 9 👀 What do you think?? pic.twitter.com/8tYCwaXBck

— The Walking Dead (@TheWalkingDead) July 5, 2018

In addition to the hint of new set, the poster features the return of a key element of the show. Just above Michonne's shoulder, a helicopter can be spotted. Fans may have realized how important the role of helicopters, which have been a recurring theme on the series, for the show. Rick has been followed by helicopters since the first episode, with various different choppers popping in and out of the show over its eight seasons.

A helicopter was last seen in season 8, when Rick was on his way to Jadis' Hilltop. It was later revealed that Jadis was actually a woman named Anne. Not much is known about Anne but she was connected to the helicopter and the community it's from.

Fans assume that the helicopter will appear again in the forthcoming season. Some even assume that may play a role in how Rick makes exit from the series as Andrew Lincoln decides to leave the show after season 9.

Andrew's exit is not the only castings shake-up in season 9. Lauren Cohan, who plays Maggie Rhee, is said to be having a greatly reduced role in the new season and will only appear in just a handful of episodes.

Executive producer Scott Gimple previously teased that season 9 of "The Walking Dead" would have exciting narrative and story. "From the things said in the [season 8] finale, there's a bigger ambition now, a bigger thing that they're chasing. It isn't just regular, everyday survival, which they've become quite adept at. It's what to do with that. Now they're going after civilization," Gimple explained.