The Handmaid’s Tale Season 6: Release date, cast, plot, & more About the Elizabeth Moss show

The Handmaid's Tale has captivated audiences since its premiere in 2017, immersing viewers in a chilling dystopian world inspired by Margaret Atwood's bestselling novel. The show earned critical acclaim for its outstanding performances, exceptional writing, and haunting production design, winning numerous awards, including two Golden Globes and 15 Emmys. 

As the show prepares to bid farewell with its sixth and final season, fans are left reeling from the intense cliffhanger of season five, where June's harrowing journey culminates in her and Serena Joy's tense escape from Toronto amidst a growing anti-refugee movement.

The anticipation surrounding season six has only intensified with exciting news, including the announcement that Josh Charles will join the cast, promising fresh dynamics in the unfolding drama. While specific plot details remain under wraps, creator Bruce Miller has teased that this final season will be "big and wild," filled with surprising twists that will keep fans on the edge of their seats.

In this article, we’ll delve into everything we know about The Handmaid’s Tale season six, from the potential premiere dates and cast updates to potential plot directions. Stay tuned as we continue to update this article with new information!

Release date & Where to Watch

The Handmaid's Tale season 6 is set to begin production later this year, with a premiere anticipated in 2025. The final season will be available for streaming on Hulu, where fans can also catch up on seasons one through five before the new season arrives.

Plot

While specific plot details for the final season of The Handmaid's Tale remain under wraps, creator Bruce Miller and the cast have shared insights into what fans can expect. 

In a November 2022 interview with DigitalSpy, Miller expressed his frustration with the abrupt ending of Margaret Atwood's original novel, emphasizing his desire to extend the story. He stated, “It’s something we never get with just the way the business is set up,” highlighting the creative freedom the team has in concluding the series on their own terms.

Elisabeth Moss hinted that the relationship between June and Serena will grow increasingly complex, emphasizing the interdependence of their characters. She noted, “There’s no Serena without June, and there’s no June without Serena,” reflecting the depth of their parallel stories. Moss aims to craft the final season with the audience in mind, ensuring it feels rewarding for long-time viewers.

The season will pick up where season five left off, with June and Serena on a train from Toronto to Vancouver amid escalating anti-refugee sentiments. After a violent encounter, June and her husband, Luke, decided it was too dangerous to stay, leading him to sacrifice his freedom for her and their baby, Nichole. The tension continues as Nick faces arrest in Gilead while Commander Lawrence consolidates his power.

Moss has indicated that the final season will not provide a neatly wrapped-up conclusion. “I don’t think we feel an obligation to tie up the entire story of Gilead,” she said. The show's ending will differ from the book, which concluded without clarity about Offred's fate. Instead, viewers can expect an exploration of character growth and the ongoing fight against Gilead, with Miller affirming that they are concluding the series on their own creative terms. 

As the series approaches its conclusion, fans are left to ponder whether June can finally escape Gilead, with Miller assuring that he has long contemplated the trajectory of season six.

Cast

• Elisabeth Moss (The Veil, Shining Girls, and The Invisible Man) as June Osborne 
• Yvonne Strahovski (Teacup, Chuck, and Dexter) as Serena Joy Waterford
• Bradley Whitford (The West Wing) as Commander Lawrence
• Max Minghella as Nick Blaine
• Ann Dowd as Aunt Lydia Clements
• O.T. Fagbenle as Luke Bankole
• Samira Wiley as Moira Strand
• Madeline Brewer as Janine Lindo
• Amanda Brugel as Rita Blue
• Sam Jaeger as Mark Tuello
• Ever Carradine as Naomi Putnam 
• Josh Charles (The Veil)

Trailer

Currently, there is no trailer available for the final season. We will update this section if one becomes available, so be sure to check later.

How did Season 5 of The Handmaid’s Tale end?

In the season five finale of The Handmaid's Tale, tensions escalated as June’s life remained perilously threatened. After a shooting incident, she wore a bulletproof vest for protection. Concerned for her safety, Nick agreed to collaborate with the U.S. government to safeguard her. In Gilead, he confronted Lawrence during his wedding, blaming him for the attack, which led to Nick's arrest. There, he faced his wife, Rose, who left him due to his lingering feelings for June.

Meanwhile, Janine resisted being re-assigned as a Handmaid in Lawrence’s household, resulting in her arrest by the Eyes. June narrowly escaped a hit-and-run by a truck displaying a Gilead bumper sticker, suffering an injury to her arm. Luke intervened, pulling the driver from the vehicle and beating him, which resulted in the driver's death. With a warrant out for Luke's arrest, June insisted they flee. As they reached the train station, Luke sacrificed his freedom to ensure June and their daughter, Nichole, could escape, leading to his arrest as they boarded the train. Onboard, June had a tense reunion with Serena and Noah.

Will The Handmaid's Tale end with Season 6?

Yes, The Handmaid’s Tale will conclude with its sixth season, which promises to deliver an intense finale. Moss described the upcoming season as "pretty wild" and filled with "final-season energy." Announced in September 2022, this final installment follows June as she fights for her loved ones one last time.

Showrunner Bruce Miller expressed gratitude for the opportunity to adapt Atwood's novel, noting its enduring relevance. The cast reflected on their journey through the seasons, emphasizing their appreciation for the fans' support. While it's sad for loyal viewers to say goodbye, there's exciting news: a spin-off titled The Testaments, set years after the original series, is currently in production.

Will There be a spin-off?

Yes! There’s been some discussion about The Testaments, the upcoming The Handmaid’s Tale spin-off. It will debut after the final season of The Handmaid's Tale, but since no official release date for season six has been set, it’s hard to predict when the spin-off will air. If filming for the final season starts this year, a 2025 release is likely, pushing The Testaments to late 2026 at the earliest.

Based on Atwood's 2019 novel, the spin-off will focus significantly on Aunt Lydia, potentially bringing back Ann Dowd to reprise her role. Dowd previously expressed excitement about Aunt Lydia’s character development in the novel, noting her pragmatic choices to survive in Gilead. It’s difficult to envision anyone else in the role, and Dowd shares that sentiment.

Who is Directing The Handmaid's Tale Season 6?

Moss will return to direct four episodes in the upcoming season, including the series premiere, the second episode, the penultimate episode, and the series finale. She previously directed three episodes in both season four and season five, including the finale. During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! In June 2021, Moss shared her enthusiasm for directing, explaining, “I was originally only supposed to direct one episode, but I enjoyed it so much that I volunteered for another open position later in the season.”

This sixth season will also feature executive producers Yahlin Chang and Eric Tuchman as co-showrunners, succeeding Miller. The creator and executive producer of The Handmaid's Tale, Miller, is stepping back from his showrunner duties for the final season to concentrate on The Testaments, a spinoff currently in development, as reported by Variety in March 2023. However, he will still be involved in the final season as an executive producer and writer.