The Handmaid’s Tale season 6: Everything we know about the final season

The Handmaid's Tale season 6: Everything we know about the final season

As a long-time fan of The Handmaid’s Tale, I must say that the journey has been both harrowing and enlightening. From its inception, this series has been a beacon of storytelling, shedding light on the struggles of oppressed women in dystopian societies.

Over a span of five seasons, we’ve followed June as she attempts to flee Gilead in “The Handmaid’s Tale”. The show has evolved significantly from its initial focus on mere survival within this harsh environment. Now, it explores the personal odysseys of handmaids, Marthas, and wives, delving into their individual struggles.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but share my thoughts on the conclusion of “The Handmaid’s Tale” season 6. Despite its captivating allure, it was crucial for this Hulu series to come to a close, and fortunately, it was given ample time to tie up loose ends gracefully. Unlike other stories that may have ended abruptly, this one deserved a thoughtful conclusion, and that’s exactly what it received.

Filming is only just starting up, and here’s what we know about this final season.

Bruce Miller has stepped down as showrunner of The Handmaid’s Tale

Bruce Miller has been part of this series since its debut. It’s surprising to some that he would relinquish his role as showrunner for the last season, but there’s a compelling explanation: He’s now busy working on another series, titled “The Testaments“, which is an adaptation from Margaret Atwood’s second book in the same franchise.

1) Miller presented his concepts for the finale, and Hulu granted them creative control over the series conclusion. Consequently, Miller understands the general direction of events, albeit with potential minor adjustments. However, he remained on board as Executive Producer and writer throughout the process.

Eric Tuchman and Yahlin Chang have stepped up as showrunners.

It’s worth mentioning that Elizabeth Moss will take on a more behind-the-scenes role. Specifically, she’ll be directing four episodes for the upcoming final season, as I mentioned earlier.

Don’t expect Gilead to be destroyed in the final season

As a fellow gamer, if you’re banking on a joyful resolution in this game, I’m afraid you might be let down, especially if you’re rooting for the fall of Gilead.

If you’ve finished the initial novel, you’d be aware that Gilead eventually meets its demise. However, we are still unclear about the specifics of this event. The book The Testaments provided us with a glimpse into possible scenarios, but it did not reveal the entire story.

In The Handmaid’s Tale, it’s evident that Gilead won’t be overthrown by the end of season 6. After all, if the story had concluded there, we wouldn’t have needed The Testaments. Yet, the characters will embark on a journey to discover their beliefs and values, determining what they are willing to fight for.

The narrative is set to intensify following the season 5 finale, where Serena Joy and June were on their way from Toronto to Vancouver aboard a train. As anti-refugee sentiments escalate in Toronto, June found it necessary to depart. Unfortunately, Luke was prevented from joining her at the station due to his wanted status for murder, stemming from an incident in a previous episode where a man ran June over and ultimately died. Alone on the train, June encountered Serena Joy who had managed to escape her predicament with her baby.

Concurrently in Gilead, Nick found himself in custody. His covert operations with the Americans aimed at dismantling Gilead had come to a halt, as he’d been apprehended. Commander Lawrence had effectively reclaimed the council following Commander Putnam’s demise, regaining control. This situation enabled Lawrence to establish New Bethlehem, which served as an attractive proposition for some of the handmaids to return to Gilead. The increasing desire among people to flee was a concerning sign.

Who will return for The Handmaid’s Tale season 6?

Elisabeth Moss and Yvonne Strahovski are definitely returning for the final season. Their storylines are too big for them not to come back.

We’re also expecting to see the following return:

Madeline Brewer
Ann Dowd
O-T Fagbenle
Max Minghella
Samira Wiley
Amanda Brugel

It’s unlikely that Alexis Bledel will reappear following her departure before Season 5. Her character, Emily, made this choice due to the need to return to Gilead in order to undermine it from within and help free more individuals.

We will see the following return in recurring roles:

Bradley Whitford
Sam Jaeger
Ever Carradine

For the last season, it’s been confirmed that Josh Charles will be joining the main cast, but we don’t know yet which character he will portray.

When can we expect The Handmaid’s Tale season 6 to premiere?

In 2022, the show was given the green light for its sixth and last season. One would expect it to be out already. Unfortunately, labor strikes over the summer disrupted the writing process, which in turn delayed the start of production.

As an ardent fan, I’m thrilled to share that filming has commenced around Toronto and its surroundings! In an exclusive reveal to Deadline, Disney Television Group president Craig Erwich announced a slight shift in the release schedule. Instead of gracing our screens in 2024 as initially planned, the show is now slated for a 2025 debut. It looks like we can expect it either during the sunny summer or the crisp fall of 2025!

2024-08-17 21:28