Final Season of ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Raises Urgent Questions

NEW YORK, April 3, 2025 – As Hulu’s Emmy-winning series “The Handmaid’s Tale” returns for its sixth and final season, it invites viewers to grapple with profound questions: What does effective resistance look like, and who embodies true leadership in times of turmoil?

Adapted from Margaret Atwood‘s acclaimed novel, the series chronicles the story of June Osborne, portrayed by Elisabeth Moss, who stands as a beacon of hope amidst desolation. The show has gained both acclaim and criticism for its portrayal of resistance against injustice, raising awareness of contemporary issues regarding women’s rights and personal autonomy.

The final season resumes directly after the fifth season’s cliffhanger, where June unexpectedly encounters Serena Waterford (Yvonne Strahovski) on a train bound for refuge. While both women seek safety, their motivations and circumstances starkly differ. Serena grapples with immigration issues as a Gilead diplomat in Canada, while June seeks solace after surviving an assassination attempt.

“This season feels different,” Moss remarked, who also directs multiple episodes. “We’ve moved past mere survival, and now we are confronting the actions that need to be taken against oppression.” The opening episodes possess a palpable tension, as the series aims to resolve lingering storylines while propelling character arcs towards their inevitable conclusions.

Significant focus is placed on the relationships June maintains with her husband, Luke (O-T Fagbenle), and her best friend Moira (Samira Wiley), both of whom face their own struggles to support her as they deal with their personal burdens. “Watching them all evolve has been a highlight for me,” said Moss, emphasizing the emotional depth of the characters.

In the dystopian world of Gilead, the complexities of power are further explored through the characters of Nick (Max Minghella) and Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd), who navigate their precarious positions within the regime. As Nick rises through the ranks, his devotion to June complicates his allegiances. Aunt Lydia grapples with her sense of authority while facing the emotional toll of her actions against the Handmaids.

The season delves into the New Bethlehem storyline, a project presented by Commander Lawrence (Bradley Whitford) that seeks to reform Gilead’s oppressive policies to grant women more freedoms. This progressive shift raises questions about the possibility of reform within a fundamentally flawed system. “Can Gilead genuinely change, or is it merely a façade?” posed Whitford. “This season examines that hope and its feasibility.”

Yet, as Gilead’s dark legacy lingers, the show remains cautionary. According to Moss, the narrative deftly showcases the fragility of progress amidst a backdrop of systemic oppression. “It’s essential we highlight these struggles the characters face—they reflect our reality,” she stated.

The complexity of character motivations blends with timely issues relevant to current socio-political climates, making Season 6 a timely commentary on resistance and survival. It challenges the audience to reflect on the broader implications of freedom and authority.

Hulu will release the first three episodes of Season 6 on April 8, with subsequent episodes airing weekly until the series concludes on May 27. As viewers prepare for this gripping finale, the overarching questions posed by “The Handmaid's Tale” serve as a reminder of the necessity for vigilance and advocacy in preserving human rights.