Everything We Know So Far About the Final Season of 'The Handmaid's Tale'
Praise be! A sixth season of The Handmaid's Tale is confirmed, but sadly it will be the series' last.
Ahead of the Season 5 premiere, Hulu announced that the award-winning drama, adapted from Margaret Atwood's novel, had been renewed for its sixth and final season.
“It has been a true honor to tell the story of Margaret Atwood’s groundbreaking novel and chillingly relevant world, and we are thrilled to bring viewers a sixth and final season of The Handmaid’s Tale,” Bruce Miller, creator, showrunner and executive producer, said in a statement at the time.
“We are grateful to Hulu and MGM for allowing us to tell this story, which unfortunately has remained as relevant as ever throughout its run, and are in awe of our incredible fans for their unwavering support, and without whom we never would have gotten to this point," Miller added.
Two years later, Hulu announced on Sept. 6, 2024 that production on the last season had officially begun. Here is everything we know so far about Season 6 of The Handmaid's Tale.
Courtesy of Hulu
How can I watch The Handmaid’s Tale season 6?
The series, produced by MGM Television, streams on Hulu. Seasons 1 through 5 are available on the streaming service.
When is The Handmaid’s Tale season 6 release date?
While a specific date has not been announced, Hulu has revealed that the series will return in the spring of 2025.
Who is in The Handmaid’s Tale season 6 cast?
The Season 6 cast will include Elisabeth Moss, Yvonne Strahovski, Bradley Whitford, Max Minghella, Ann Dowd, O.T. Fagbenle, Samira Wiley, Madeline Brewer, Amanda Brugel, Sam Jaeger, Ever Carradine and Josh Charles.
Elisabeth Moss as June Osborne
Hulu
Yvonne Strahovski as Serena Joy Waterford
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Bradley Whitford as Commander Lawrence
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Max Minghella as Nick Blaine
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O.T. Fagbenle as Luke Bankole
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Samira Wiley as Moira
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Ann Dowd as Aunt Lydia
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Madeline Brewer as Ofwarren
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Amanda Brugel as Rita
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Sam Jaeger as Mark Tuello
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Related: How Will The Handmaid's Tale End? Spoilers From the Book
What happened at the end of The Handmaid's Tale season 5?
Season 5 ended with Luke killing the Canadian who ran over June. After learning of his death, they decide to run. However, Tuello informs them that they can’t go to the airport. The police have flagged their reservation and will be waiting to arrest Luke, and June would be charged for aiding a flight from justice. Tuello, instead, provides another option: He can get them on a train with refugees heading west.
With police looking for Luke at the train station, Luke tells June to get on the train. “You know you and Nichole are not safe if I’m with you. So do this for Nichole. Get on the f--king train, OK?” he tells her. Luke points out that if she stays, Gilead is going to come after her.
Before boarding, June tearfully tells Luke, “Come find me.” He then calls attention to himself and is arrested.
While looking for a place to sit down on the train, June hears a baby fussing. The baby turns out to be Noah, Serena's son.
"Hi, June," Serena says. "Hi, Serena," June replies. The episode ends with Serena asking June if she has a diaper and the two smiling at each other.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter about the finale, Moss said, "It’s actually a pretty positive ending for the show and the season, which we don’t usually do. It’s a cliffhanger … but there’s something positive about it. Of course, of all the people that would be on the train is this person who is her other half, the other half of this experience.”
What will happen in The Handmaid's Tale season 6?
Fans are going to have to wait and see! In a video celebrating the show's renewal, the stars of The Handmaid's Tale said, "When we started this journey together in season 1, we bore no more. In season 2, we reclaimed our name. In season 3, we set ourselves free. In season 4, we prayed together. In season 5, you’ll see how some sins can’t be washed away.“
As for the sixth and final season? They said, “Well, you’ll just have to wait and see. We can’t thank you enough for supporting the show over the years. Much love to you all. Under his eye.”
Moss told THR that her character spent season 5 "trying to figure out who she is and who she’s going to be the rest of her life, and it’s kind of the perfect lead-up to a final season where, without spoiling anything, it’s time for June to figure out who she is going to be for the rest of her life and where the real fight is, and what she has to do to win the real fight."
Meanwhile, Miller has said that he does not "feel an allegiance" to wrap June "up the way she’s wrapped up in The Testaments novel." The series creator explained to Deadline, "I just want to follow the story and make sure it makes sense. But the thing that you should remember is that all the voiceover we’re hearing, this story is June story. It’s not called Gilead, it’s The Handmaid’s Tale. I certainly have been thinking of the show as a memoir of part of June’s life, not the part where she would consider herself a handmaid."
He added, "I think that in the end, just like before we started the show, they had lives. She’s gonna go on and continue on in whatever way she continues on and we’re not going to see it. And because we got to see this part so intimately, I feel like you care about what happens to her next, but that’s not this tale."
Next: How The Handmaid's Tale Star Elisabeth Moss Became One of the Highest-Paid Actresses in Hollywood
