Here’s Why “The Handmaid’s Tale” Season 6 Will Be Its Last, Explained

After five seasons of heart-pounding drama, jaw-dropping plot twists, and endless moral dilemmas, The Handmaid’s Tale is about to wrap it all up with a sixth and final season. From June’s fight for freedom to Serena’s complex journey, the show has kept viewers hooked.

But after five seasons of suspense, it’s finally time for the show to wrap up. The news that Season 6 will be the final chapter was confirmed, and now fans are left wondering what the last season will bring, who will return, and when they can expect to see it.

Don’t worry—we’ve got all the answers you need. Let’s take a look at why The Handmaid’s Tale is calling it quits after Season 6, and what we can expect in the last season.

What Is Season 6 of The Handmaid’s Tale About?

Well, The Handmaid’s Tale has left us with a lot of unfinished business, and season 6 is going to tie up the storylines we’ve been following. If you remember, season 5 ended with June and Serena running into each other on a train, both of them trying to escape from Gilead in different ways. 

We don’t know exactly what will happen next, but we’re hoping for some kind of showdown. And then there’s June’s daughter, Hannah. We’ve been watching June struggle to reunite with her for seasons now, and there’s no doubt that season 6 will explore whether she’ll ever get her back. Again the question is: Will she finally bring Hannah to safety, or is Gilead too powerful for that to happen?

Meanwhile, back in Canada, Luke (June’s husband) is in some serious trouble. He’s been arrested for murder, and that’s definitely going to make things complicated for him. What will happen to him in the end? And let’s not forget about Nick, who has been living in Canada for a while. He’s free, but for how long? There are still so many questions about Nick’s future.

The show will also give us a closer look at Commander Lawrence’s new project, New Bethlehem. What does it mean for Gilead, and how will it affect the characters we’ve come to know and love?

As for Aunt Lydia, she’s been one of the most intense characters on the show, and season 6 will focus on her next move. After Janine is captured by the Eyes, Aunt Lydia will stop at nothing to protect her. We can’t wait to see what she’ll do.

Elisabeth Moss, who plays June, has teased that season 6 will be about June figuring out who she really is and what her next move is. She’s gone from being a “handmaid” to a powerful symbol of resistance, and now it’s time to find out if she’ll finish the fight. 

June’s journey will come full circle, but we’re still left wondering what’s next for the rest of the survivors. While the show wraps up June’s story, there’s still the upcoming Testaments sequel that will continue exploring the world of Gilead. Back in September 2022, the cast took to Instagram to celebrate the show’s renewal. They even shared a video clip, saying:

When we started this journey 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 preyed together. In season 5, you’ll see how some sins can’t be washed away. And as to season six, our sixth and final season, 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.

So, it’s clear that Season 6 will be the last! For now, we can expect plenty of action, tough choices, and emotional moments as the story reaches its conclusion.

Who’s Returning—and Who’s New—in Season 6 of The Handmaid’s Tale?

So, who’s coming back for the last season? Fans of the show will be happy to know that most of the main cast members are returning for season 6. Elisabeth Moss, who plays June, is obviously back (and she’s also one of the show’s executive producers).

Along with her, Bradley Whitford (Commander Lawrence), Yvonne Strahovski (Serena Joy), Max Minghella (Nick Blaine), O-T Fagbenle (Luke), Samira Wiley (Moira), Ann Dowd (Aunt Lydia), Madeline Brewer (Janine), and Amanda Brugel (Rita) will all return to finish their stories.

There’s a lot of excitement about some new faces joining the cast too. Josh Charles (best known for The Good Wife) is now a series regular, though we still don’t know who exactly he’ll be playing.

He’s a talented actor, so we’re sure he’ll bring something interesting to the table. Timothy Simons, who starred in Veep, is also joining as a guest star. We’re excited to see how his character fits into the world of The Handmaid’s Tale.

But sadly, there’s one major absence. Alexis Bledel, who played Emily, is not returning for season 6. She left the show before season 5, and while there’s been some hope that she might return for a cameo, it looks like Emily’s story is over for good.

Still, showrunner Bruce Miller hinted that her character’s journey wasn’t completely finished, so who knows—there’s always a chance for a surprise appearance. Even though Bledel won’t be around, the good news is that the main cast is back, so we’ll still get to see all the characters we’ve grown to love (and hate) in action one last time.

When Will The Handmaid’s Tale Season 6 Release?

Now, the big question: when will season 6 be available? Well, it’s been a long wait since season 5 ended, and fans have been anxiously waiting for any updates. Here’s what we know: filming for season 6 began in the summer of 2024, but it got delayed due to the actors’ and writers’ strikes, as well as Elisabeth Moss’s real-life pregnancy.

So yes, we’ll have to be patient for a little longer, but the good news is that production is finally underway. Hulu has confirmed that The Handmaid’s Tale season 6 will premiere in the spring of 2025.

There isn’t an exact date yet, but we’re hoping it will be worth the wait. Moss spoke to Elle about the long break between seasons, explaining that the team is taking extra care to make the final season perfect. It’s a lot of pressure, but we trust them to do it justice.

The Handmaid’s Tale is available to watch on Hulu!