Here’s everything you need to know about The Handmaid’s Tale Season 5.
The Handmaid’s Tale is an American dystopian television series developed by Bruce Miller, based on Margaret Atwood’s 1985 novel of the same name. The plot revolves around a dystopia set after the Second American Civil War in which a sexist authoritarian government subjects fertile women known as “Handmaids” to child-bearing slavery.
The series has received widespread critical and audience acclaim, and it is currently one of the top-rated television shows on Hulu’s digital streaming platform. The series already has four seasons and has amassed a large fan base over the years. Moreover, the show was officially renewed for a fifth season. As confirmed by the cast members on Hulu’s official YouTube channel regarding the announcement. Take a look at the official announcement below.
Since then, fans of the story have been eagerly awaiting the next chapter to find out what the characters’ future holds. If you’re a fan of The Handmaid’s Tale as much as we are, we’ve produced a list of all the key updates on The Handmaid’s Tale Season 5 for you to look forward to for the time being and reminisce all the previous seasons before jumping right into the upcoming season.
Continue reading to learn more about The Handmaid’s Tale Season 5.
The Handmaid’s Tale Season 5 Potential Release Date
The last episode of Season 4, titled The Wilderness, was released on June 16, 2021. It’s been more than half a year and the official release date for The Handmaid’s Tale Season 5 has not been revealed yet.
But looking previous release dates for Season 1 and Season 2 usually range from around April 26, 2017, and April 25, 2018, with the expectation of the third season that was released much later around June 5, 2019. Whereas, the fourth season was released on April 27, 2021.
Unfortunately, as of May 2022, there is no definitive date for when The Handmaid’s Tale Season 5 will return to our screens. Hence, we suggest the fans patiently wait and speculate about the potential release date which might make its debut sometime around late 2022 just like the third season.
The drama, on the other hand, was renewed for a fifth season by the streaming service in December 2020. The statement was made during the Disney Investor Day conference, months before the release of Season 4. The filming began in February 2022 and is speculated to conclude in July 2022. The production of the next season was able to begin early, which is always a good indicator that the season would be able to release on schedule rather than being delayed more.
Take a look at a BTS video shared by Amanda Brugel who portrays Rita Blue on February 9, 2022, which gives a glimpse of the set with the clip marked ‘Season 5’.
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The Handmaid’s Tale Season 5 Plot
By the end of Season 4, the last episode is titled The Wilderness, which was released on June 16, 2021. The episode showed the ICC judges are preoccupied, June’s testimony against Fred is being recorded. She tells Emily that she is worried about Fred’s trip to Geneva, where he will be granted immunity. June talks with Fred, who expresses his regret for the anguish she felt when Hannah was stripped away from her.
June is dissatisfied and deals with Tuello to bring Fred to justice; she arranges for the two to meet in a secluded café with Commander Lawrence, who suggests releasing 22 freedom-fighting Gileadan women in return for Fred. Tuello says he’ll seek permission from his employer.
Moreover, Fred bids Serena farewell and prepares to depart for Geneva, but he is apprehended by Tuello, exchanged for the 22 women, and brought to Lawrence and Nick, both of whom present Fred to June in No Man’s Land.
June, Emily, and other ex-handmaids pursue Fred through the woods, beat him to death, and hang him from a wall. June arrives home with blood on her face, much to Luke’s surprise. While Serena prepares for Fred to video contact her online as arranged, the mail carrier picks through Serena’s envelopes and opens one that contains Fred’s wedding band and ring finger.
So, in The Handmaid’s Tale Season 5 can expect to cover does ground in detail in the next season. Actor Joseph Fiennes Waterford in an interview on Entertainment Weekly stated, “I felt that it really delivered the finale that I felt, and I think my cast-mates felt, was needed and deserved for the fans.”
In another interview with Entertainment Weekly, Yvonne Strahovski stated that she can’t say much, but when asked about the finale, she says that when she read the script, her “jaw was on the floor.”
She added that “I’m genuinely excited about what everyone’s going to think about it, because for me personally, it’s the most satisfying season finale that Handmaid’s has had to date, so it’s just exciting,” she teases. “I can’t help but smile when people ask me about it, because I just can’t wait for everyone to see it.”
According to an interview with Deadline, the showrunner Bruce Miller hinted that we will continue to see Waterford in flashbacks. He stated, “I think that although Fred is dead, his influence on June continues and that is, in our show, shown through her mind’s eye of flashbacks.”
Take a look at some fans’ reactions
not to be dramatic or anything but I need season 5 of the handmaids tale right now
— ashley (@gold_rushx) April 26, 2022
Round two with the Handmaids tale while I wait for season 5 ! Best show ever made #HandmaidsTale pic.twitter.com/w1G6FhSWKN
— GF🇺🇦 (@GF14817084) July 14, 2021
When is season 5 of The Handmaids tale coming out?? I’m tired of waiting. I need to know what June is going to do in Gilead to get back Hannah.
— Chelsea •ia• (@Chelseaar61) May 3, 2022
The Handmaid’s Tale Season 5 Cast
There is no official information released about the potential cast members of The Handmaid’s Tale Season 5 but as of now all of the original cast members, as well as the recurring cast members, are likely to reprise their roles in the upcoming season.
Moreover, The writers and producers of the series may integrate a few new characters to broaden the plot and keep it fascinating after the premiere of the finale episode of Season 4. It is clear that the chances are that the story can be explored further. Hence, the cast members of the series who can definitely appear in The Handmaid’s Tale Season 5 are listed below:
- O. T. Fagbenle as Luke Bankole
- Samira Wiley as Moira Strand
- Alexis Bledel as Dr. Emily Malek
- Max Minghella as Commander Nick Blaine
- Ann Dowd as Aunt Lydia Clements
- Madeline Brewer as Janine Lindo
- Bradley Whitford as Commander Joseph Lawrence
- Amanda Brugel as Rita Blue
- Sam Jaeger as Mark Tuello
- Jordana Blake as Hannah Bankole
- Stephen Kunken as Commander Warren Putnam
- Ever Carradine as Naomi Putnam
- Mckenna Grace as Esther Keyes
The Handmaid’s Tale Season 5 Episodes
We should expect The Handmaid’s Tale Season 5 to feature the same number of episodes like the previous seasons, which is likely because many television shows follow a similar pattern to convey plots and character arcs. The episodes typically varied from 10 to 13, with Season 1 and Season 4 each having 10 episodes. Seasons 2 and 3, on the other hand, include 13 episodes each with a runtime of roughly 48 minutes.
Is there a trailer for The Handmaid’s Tale Season 5?
No, because the series is still in production and has not yet been completed. So there is no trailer for The Handmaid’s Tale Season 5. For the time being watch this exclusive interview where ET Canada’s Morgan Hoffman catches up with Elisabeth Moss to find out about her thrilling new Apple TV+ series, Shining Girls, and taking on directing duties in the highly anticipated fifth season of The Handmaid’s Tale.
Where can you stream The Handmaid’s Tale?
Right now you can watch The Handmaid’s Tale on Hulu Plus. You can also be able to stream The Handmaid’s Tale by renting or purchasing on Vudu, Google Play, iTunes, and Amazon Instant Video.
Catch up with all the prior seasons before The Handmaid’s Tale Season 5 premieres this year.