Community fans were faced with disappointment when series creator and showrunner Dan Harmon was ousted in 2012, ahead of the cult sitcom's fourth season. Failing to find its footing in ratings and at risk of losing its core fanbase, the show brought Harmon back into the fold over the summer, along with the surprise announcement of a fifth season renewal.

Tasked with the unprecedented challenge of helping the show regain its course, Harmon has announced something of a full revamp, beginning with the Jan. 2 premiere of season five's “Repilot.”

Until now, details of the upcoming season have been kept mostly under wraps, however a new trailer has just arrived, which sheds some light on its plot. With Jeff Winger (Joel McHale) returning to the fictional Greendale Community College in the role of professor, season five already appears to be a drastic departure from season four, and an attempt to bring back some of more grounded elements of earlier seasons.

Watch the trailer below:

Series regular Chevy Chase departed the show during season four, and Donald Glover, who raps under the stage name Childish Gambino and portrays the role of Troy Barnes, has announced that he will exit halfway though season five. Former cast member John Oliver will return in the part of Professor Ian Duncan.

Community's upcoming season will include cameos and recurring roles from the likes of Ben Folds, Vince Gilligan (Breaking Bad), Jonathan Banks (Breaking Bad), David Cross (Arrested Development), Mitch Hurwitz (Arrested Development), Rob Corddry (Children's Hospital), Brie Larson (United States Of Tara, Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World), Nathan Fillion (Castle, Firefly), Walton Goggins (Justified), Kumail Nanjiani (Portlandia), Tim and Eric, and more!

The fifth season of Community will premiere Thursday, Jan. 2 on NBC, with back to back new episodes, beginning at 8 p.m. EST.