After years of anticipation, The Handmaid’s Tale returns for its sixth and final season on Hulu, bringing June Osborne’s harrowing journey to a close. As one of the most critically acclaimed dystopian dramas of the decade, the series has captivated audiences with its chilling parallels to real-world socio-political struggles. Season 6 promises a revolution, emotional reckonings, and a conclusion that honors its complex characters and themes. Here’s everything you need to know about the final chapter of this groundbreaking series.
Release Date and How to Watch
The Handmaid’s Tale Season 6 premiered on April 8, 2025, with a three-episode debut on Hulu. New episodes will drop weekly until the finale on May 27. Fans can stream all previous seasons on Hulu, with subscription plans starting at 7.99/month(withads)orbundledwithDisney+andESPN+for16.99/month.
The Final Season’s Plot: Rebellion and Reckoning
Picking up immediately after Season 5’s cliffhanger, June (Elisabeth Moss) and Serena Joy (Yvonne Strahovski) find themselves on a train fleeing Canada with their babies. Their uneasy alliance sets the stage for a season brimming with tension, as June’s resolve to dismantle Gilead collides with Serena’s ambitions to reform it.
Key Storylines to Expect:
The Rise of New Bethlehem: Commander Lawrence (Bradley Whitford) pushes his vision for a “kinder” Gilead, while Serena joins his efforts, torn between her faith and desire for power.
June’s Revolution: Rallying Handmaids under the mantra “Now it’s time for them to be afraid of us,” June leads a violent uprising against Gilead’s regime.
Nick’s Moral Crossroads: Max Minghella’s Commander Blaine grapples with loyalty to Gilead and love for June as he ascends the ranks.
Aunt Lydia’s Redemption: Ann Dowd’s fanatical Aunt Lydia faces the consequences of her actions, particularly her fraught relationship with Janine (Madeline Brewer).
Luke and Moira’s Resistance: O-T Fagbenle and Samira Wiley reprise their roles as June’s husband and best friend, joining the fight while confronting the toll of years of trauma.
Cast and New Additions
The core ensemble returns, including Elisabeth Moss, Yvonne Strahovski, and Bradley Whitford. Notably, Josh Charles (The Good Wife) joins as High Commander Wharton, a Gilead elite influencing Nick’s trajectory. However, Alexis Bledel’s Emily and Joseph Fiennes’ Commander Waterford remain absent after earlier exits.
Themes and Relevance: A Mirror to Modern Struggles
Season 6 amplifies the series’ exploration of resistance, feminism, and systemic oppression. Showrunners Eric Tuchman and Yahlin Chang (taking over from Bruce Miller) balance visceral action with quieter moments of character growth. The season also critiques the dangers of compromising with authoritarianism through New Bethlehem’s “progressive” facade.
Elisabeth Moss told Elle that June’s arc culminates in a fight “larger than one individual,” emphasizing collective resilience over personal vengeance5. Meanwhile, Serena’s evolution—from villain to reluctant ally—underscores the show’s nuanced portrayal of redemption.
Production and Delays
The final season faced significant delays due to the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, pushing filming to early 2024. Moss directed four episodes, including the premiere and finale, infusing the series with her signature intense close-ups and stark visual poetry.
Critical Reception: A Triumphant Comeback?
Early reviews praise Season 6 for recapturing the urgency of the show’s early years. The A.V. Club awarded it an A-, applauding its “propulsive pacing” and “long-overdue confrontations”. Gizmodo highlighted its “fierce catharsis” and relevance in today’s political climate. However, IMDb critiqued its repetitive themes, calling it a “missed opportunity” to delve deeper into real-world parallels.
Why Season 6 Matters
The Handmaid’s Tale has never been easy viewing, but its unflinching portrayal of resistance resonates profoundly. Season 6 doesn’t shy from brutality—characters will die, alliances will shatter—but it also offers hope. As Moira reminds June, “We’re still here because we fight for each other”.
In a world where dystopian fiction feels increasingly prophetic, The Handmaid’s Tale ends not with a tidy resolution but a rallying cry: Justice is worth fighting for, even when the cost is unimaginable.