What will be the end of June’s story? Continue reading to find out more about The Handmaid’s Tale Season 6.
As the summer streaming season finally comes to an end on Hulu, among other streaming platforms, the anticipation among various fandoms has reached new heights, as they have been wondering if their favorite shows will be a part of the schedule or not. If you are wondering the same, then we are certain that one of the most talked-about series in the catalog is none other than The Handmaid’s Tale for its highly anticipated sixth and final season!
Major debates and queries relating to its current status will be raised by fans in the upcoming weeks. Especially since the fifth season aired the finale episode months ago on November 9, 2022, which ended with a major cliffhanger, leaving fans questioning whether the final chapter of this beloved dystopian television series created by Bruce Miller will premiere this month. If not this month, then when? Here is everything we currently know about Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale Season 6.
The Handmaid’s Tale Season 6 Expected Release Date: When will it premiere?
Despite being renewed for a sixth season a year ago in the same month of September 2022, ahead of the fifth season premiere, we are sad to inform the readers that the exact release date for the final season has not been confirmed by the network, as one of the main reasons for the delay in disclosing such details is the strikes, which have caused a major halt in the production of the series, which was reported to begin in the summer of 2023, with August being the likely time frame, which sadly didn’t happen, as the strikes have lasted longer than what we expected.
Moreover, the production of the remaining episodes can only begin once the strike comes to a resolution, which has started to happen as after almost five months, the Writers Guild’s strike officially ended at 12:01 a.m. PT on Wednesday. On the other hand, only the SAG-AFTRA strike is still left to be resolved, as reports state that SAG-AFTRA and studios could meet within days. “We have no confirmed dates scheduled, and there will not be meetings with the AMPTP this week,” a SAG-AFTRA spokesperson said. Further stating, “When we do have dates confirmed, we will inform our members. No one should rely on speculation.”
Until any confirmation, we’ll just have to wait until this strike ends for work to resume soon, as it seems likely that the actor’s strike might get extended until October 2023!
“We are not on strike out of greed, nor do we begrudge the companies their success or deny their struggles. We must all succeed together,” WGA Negotiating Committee co-chair Chris Keyser says in the video addressing WGA members. Further adding to the statement, “But the changes that the companies have orchestrated in the business have made the profession of writing untenable for us and for everyone who comes after us. And that hasn’t changed because they waited 102 days to talk to us and have taken their time since then. Our feet and backs may ache, but our cause is the same. Our case is the same.”
Hence, if we take these reports and the ongoing situation at face value, then it’s not far-fetched to assume that the series’ official return in September 2023 is just pure speculation! If we consider all these factors, then there is a chance that the network might be planning an early to mid-2024 release on Hulu with the same time slot of midnight ET and 3 a.m. PT. Our best estimate is that the writing of the series might commence as soon as the strikes reach an agreement with the filming, which has already been delayed, and will then begin sometime later this year for the new episodes to begin airing in the first or second quarter of 2024, starting in January and ending in June.
We think it will be ideal for the creators to take some time off and reflect on how the story will progress after this hiatus. Hence, the fans should wait and keep an eye on the show’s social media handles for all the latest details and updates. In order to receive updates on when the show premieres, interested viewers can also enable notifications. Additionally, the official Twitter handle also confirmed the renewal of the show, quoting, “We can’t keep this a secret any longer. #TheHandmaidsTale will return for a 6th and final season on @hulu.!” Take a look at the official announcement of The Handmaid’s Tale Season 6 renewal below:
We can't keep this a secret any longer. #TheHandmaidsTale will return for a 6th and final season on @hulu. ✊ pic.twitter.com/baVbYjgSdz
— The Handmaid's Tale (@HandmaidsOnHulu) September 8, 2022
What can the fans expect from the final season?
From the very first season, which made its debut back in 2017, this Emmy-winning series has captured the hearts of viewers worldwide with its gripping storyline, powerful performances, and thought-provoking themes and character arcs. So far, the sixth season seems promising and ever more intense and heart-wrenching as we follow the journey of June and her fellow handmaids as they fight against the oppressive regime of Gilead. With new challenges and obstacles to overcome, the stakes are higher than ever before.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, the showrunner also teased that Nick and June have some unfinished business in the final season. “I feel like this is the most romantic Nick/June season ever because they spend the whole time trying to convince themselves that they don’t need to be together.” Further adding, “And by the end, they are not successful at all. They fail entirely. They don’t even see each other in the last episode, and they’re so in love they can’t think about anything else.”
How the tables have turned. pic.twitter.com/lfHk6X8j8o
— Hulu (@hulu) June 6, 2023
Moreover, executive producer Bruce Miller said in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter that he doesn’t expect there to be a big time jump when the show returns, which is a great sign of direction for the series conclusion, quote, “We don’t tend to jump very much in time,” he said. “And it’s simply because my brain doesn’t work that way. I’m like, ‘What happens next?'”
The sixth and final season will also pick up elements from the fifth season in which June faces the consequences for her past actions, Serena attempts to raise her profile in Toronto, Commander Lawrence works with Aunt Lydia to reform Gilead, and June, Luke, and Moira fight Gilead and continue their mission to save Hannah. Moreover, the season ended with a big cliffhanger that has excited the fandom more than ever to know the outcome!
As we got to see, June finds herself under threat and must find some way to keep herself and her family safe from Gilead and its zealous supporters in Toronto. So, it is pretty evident that the fifth season’s finale is going to play a crucial role in concluding the overall plot that we have seen since its inception six years ago! Also, check out the official teaser of the final episode, “Safe,” which was directed by Elisabeth Moss and written by Bruce Miller, to get an idea about the plot in case you haven’t streamed it yet.
The Handmaid’s Tale Season 6 Expected Cast: Who will and will not return in the next season?
The main cast members who are expected to reprise their roles in the final season are as follows Elisabeth Moss as June Osborne, Yvonne Strahovski as Serena Joy Waterford, Madeline Brewer as Janine, Ann Dowd as Aunt Lydia, O-T Fagbenle as Luke, Max Minghella as Nick, Samira Wiley as Moira, Bradley Whitford as Commander Lawrence, and Amanda Brugel as Rita. On the other hand, Deadline has recently confirmed that Jeremy Shamos will also guest-star in the sixth season.
Unfortunately, Alexis Bledel won’t be joining us for this final outing!
After Emily’s screen time was reduced somewhat in season four, the character was written out completely in the season five premiere, where it was revealed that she went back to Gilead. Alexis issued a statement to Entertainment Weekly at the time that said: “After much thought, I felt I had to step away from The Handmaid’s Tale at this time. I am forever grateful to Bruce Miller for writing such truthful and resonant scenes for Emily, and to Hulu, MGM, the cast, and crew for their support.”
The reduction in screentime of some characters was explained by Miller, quote, “So we always have huge amounts of story that we’re not allowed to do,” Miller added. “Huge flashbacks that we just don’t have real estate for. The network would give us an extra episode or two or three. But it’s the stories – we have to make this distilled.” Earlier this year, Miller stepped down as showrunner of The Handmaid’s Tale in order to focus on adapting The Testaments for television.
Eric Tuchman and Yahlin Chang were named co-showrunners for the sixth and final season, though it was also announced that Miller would remain involved and would write two episodes. Lastly, The Handmaid’s Tale is produced by MGM Television and executive produced by Bruce Miller, Warren Littlefield, Elisabeth Moss, Daniel Wilson, Fran Sears, Eric Tuchman, Yahlin Chang, Rachel Shukert, Sheila Hockin, John Weber, Frank Siracusa, Steve Stark, and Kim Todd. The series is internationally distributed by MGM.
Congratulations to Elisabeth Moss on her Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series! #TheHandmaidsTale #Emmys #Emmys2023 pic.twitter.com/Z9jZ81xR7M
— The Handmaid's Tale (@HandmaidsOnHulu) July 12, 2023
The Handmaid’s Tale Season 6 Episodes: How many will be there and where to stream?
The last season is speculated to have a total of 10 episodes with a runtime of 41 to 65 minutes, which will drop on a weekly basis. The official titles and synopsis of the episodes haven’t been released yet to avoid any early spoilers because this is going to be the final season, and no one wants the crucial details to be disclosed before the fans get a chance to binge-watch it. So, we suggest the viewers be patient and follow the social media handles to stay up-to-date on the latest details.
On the other hand, all seasons of The Handmaid’s Tale are exclusively available to stream on Hulu, with other series of the same genre also accessible on the streaming platform with a range of membership options. The first four seasons are available on Hulu in the United States. It costs $6.99 per month and is cancelable at any time. The series can also be streamed by renting or purchasing it on Vudu, Google Play, iTunes, and Amazon Instant Video, depending on the viewer’s location.
Do not disturb. The season finale of #TheHandmaidsTale is now streaming. pic.twitter.com/RV1Udz42kD
— The Handmaid's Tale (@HandmaidsOnHulu) November 9, 2022
The Handmaid’s Tale Season 6 Official Trailer: Has it been released?
Let’s get straight to the point: We would also like to confirm that the network has not released any new teasers or trailers for the upcoming season! The network has not released any new promos for many reasons, due to which it will take some time to get published once the production starts to wrap up. One of the reasons is the ongoing strikes, which have caused delays. Moreover, the promotions usually begin a month or two before the official premiere of the new season, so there is still a lot of time left for marketing to begin.
In the meantime, watch the official trailer for the fifth trailer, which expands on the premise that this dystopian television series created by Bruce Miller follows as it is based on the 1985 novel of the same name by Canadian author Margaret Atwood. The plot features a dystopia following the Second American Civil War wherein a totalitarian society subjects fertile women, called “Handmaids,” to child-bearing slavery.
On Rotten Tomatoes, the fifth season earned positive reviews from 80% of 31 critics, with an average rating of 7.55/10. The site’s critical consensus reads, “The Handmaid’s Tale has lost its urgency after spreading its once-arresting premise thin in a season focused on vengeance’s consequences, but the women of Gilead are still played with compelling exactitude.” On Metacritic, it received an average score of 63 out of 100, based on 7 reviews, indicating “generally positive reviews.” Take a look at the official trailer for The Handmaid’s Tale Season 5 below:
The Handmaid’s Tale Frequently Asked Questions
What book is the series based on?
The series is adapted from a classic novel by Margaret Atwood. The Handmaid’s Tale is the story of life in the dystopia of Gilead, a totalitarian society in what was formerly the United States. Get yourself a copy of the book if you don’t have one already – Click here!
Is The Handmaid’s Tale Season 6 the final season?
Sadly, the dystopian Hulu series The Handmaid’s Tale’s sixth season is, in fact, its last one. Miller expressed his delight at the opportunity to wrap up the series in a sixth season in a statement about it.
“It has been a true honor to tell the story of Margaret Atwood’s groundbreaking novel and the chillingly relevant world, and we are thrilled to bring viewers a sixth and final season of The Handmaid’s Tale,” he said. “We are grateful to Hulu and MGM for allowing us to tell this story, which unfortunately has remained as relevant as ever throughout its run, and are in awe of our incredible fans for their unwavering support, and without whom we never would have gotten to this point.”
Will there be a Handmaid’s Tale spin-off or not?
Drum rolls, please…It’s a Big Yes! A spin-off series is indeed in the works! Deadline confirmed that showrunner Bruce Miller has been working on a sequel to the hit show alongside season six. The Testaments is an upcoming spin-off that is set 15 years after the events of The Handmaid’s Tale. The show will feature several returning characters from the original series.
Outside of the USA, where can international viewers stream the show?
There are many regions where the show is available: In Canada, the series is broadcast weekly by the CTV Drama Channel and the streaming service Crave. In Scandinavia, the series is available on HBO Nordic. In the United Kingdom, the series premiered on Channel 4. In New Zealand, the series was released on the subscription video-on-demand service Lightbox after satellite service provider Sky acquired Lightbox and merged it into its streaming service Neon, which acquired the distribution rights to the series in New Zealand.
In Australia, the series premiered on the TV channel SBS’s video streaming service, SBS on Demand. The series was also released on the subscription video-on-demand service Stan. In Ireland, the series premiered on RTÉ2, and in Brazil and Latin America, it premiered on Paramount Channel. In India, the series premiered on AXN and ran for the first two seasons before moving to Amazon Prime Video for Season 3, which made all three seasons available for viewing. In Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, the series premiered on HBO Asia through HBO Go.
Gilead leaves a stain. #TheHandmaidsTale pic.twitter.com/1vUsm81S8H
— The Handmaid's Tale (@HandmaidsOnHulu) May 18, 2023
Catch up on prior seasons while you wait for more The Handmaid’s Tale Season 6 information on Web News Observer.