Back in 2017, the Hulu series The Handmaid’s Tale took the world by storm, quickly earning a reputation as one of the best shows on television. Adapted from Margaret Atwood’s acclaimed novel, the Hulu series was unflinching in its exploration of difficult subject matter, brought to life by sharp writing and powerful performances. Now, nearly a decade later, the story is heading toward its conclusion with the upcoming sixth and final season. And after a two-year hiatus, even the most devoted fans could probably use a refresher. Season 5 marked a major turning point for several key characters, filled with betrayals, shifting power dynamics, and deeply personal stakes. Here’s everything you need to remember before diving into the series’ final chapter.
June’s Fight Becomes More Urgent Than Ever in Season 5 of ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’
Now living in Canada, June Osborne (Elisabeth Moss) remains singularly focused on destroying Gilead and rescuing her daughter, Hannah (Jordana Blake). Still consumed by anger and trauma, she celebrated the brutal killing of Commander Waterford (Joseph Fiennes) at the end of Season 4 — even confessing to Luke (O-T Fagbenle) and Moira (Samira Wiley) before turning herself in. Ultimately, she faced no legal consequences, as the crime took place in a neutral zone outside of any official jurisdiction.
Throughout Season 5, U.S. government operative Mark Tuello (Sam Jaeger) struggled to locate Hannah, fueling June and Luke’s growing desperation. When they learned Hannah was being groomed for an early marriage in Gilead, their mission to save her became even more urgent. Tuello eventually tracked her location, but a U.S.-led military raid failed — costing countless lives and leaving June and Luke more uncertain than ever about their daughter’s fate.
Serena’s Fall Mirrors the World She Helped Create in ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Season 5
Following the death of her husband, Fred Waterford, a very pregnant Serena Joy (Yvonne Strahovski) experienced a swift and brutal fall from grace. Once a powerful figure in Gilead, she found herself treated like a Handmaid — stripped of her autonomy and placed under constant surveillance while living in Canada. Her situation took an unexpected turn when the family she was staying with captured June and planned to execute her. Serena insisted on going with them to retrieve June, even asking for the gun to do it herself — though it became clear she had no real intention of pulling the trigger. Instead, Serena turned the gun on Ezra (Rossif Sutherland), the man assigned to protect her, and shot him, forcing her and June into an uneasy alliance on the run.
Naturally, Serena went into labor, giving birth in a cold barn with June, of all people, helping her through the delivery. Despite their fraught history, the moment highlighted the complicated, deeply layered connection between the two women. After giving birth to her son, Noah, Serena tried to escape again but was caught by immigration officers and forced back into her restrictive living situation. In a rare moment of honesty, Serena asked June how she had survived in similar conditions. June’s advice is to play the part — but always be plotting your escape. In a final act of defiance, Serena seized an opportunity, grabbed Noah, and fled into a passing truck.
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There Are Some Major Power Shifts in Gilead in Season 5 of ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’
Back in Gilead, Commander Lawrence (Bradley Whitford) continued to consolidate power, pushing for a more “modern” version of the regime. He proposed New Bethlehem — a supposed safe haven with looser rules — hoping to lure refugees like June back. Commander Putnam (Stephen Kunken) dismissed the idea but didn’t last long enough to see it fail. After being found guilty of raping Esther (McKenna Grace), Putnam was executed on Lawrence’s orders, solidifying Lawrence’s authority. Newly single himself after the death of his wife, Lawrence sought a politically advantageous marriage and ultimately wed Naomi Putnam (Ever Carradine), the widow of the man he’d just executed, though it’s mutually out of convenience.
Meanwhile, Nick Blaine (Max Minghella) was torn between his growing status as a Commander, his pregnant wife Rose (Carey Cox), and his lingering love for June. After June is believed to have been attacked and nearly killed by someone from Gilead, Nick decks Lawrence in the face, which gets him put into custody. Though Rose initially tolerated his connection to June, she eventually left him — leaving Nick isolated and vulnerable heading into Season 6.
Aunt Lydia Tries To Help Janine in ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Season 5
After Esther inexplicably poisoned Janine (Madeline Brewer), Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd) began to show signs of an evolving outlook, particularly in her growing protectiveness over the Handmaids, who she refers to as “my girls”. After nursing the resilient Janine back to health, Lydia knew she would need to find a placement in a household. Believing it to be the safest option, she arranged for Janine to return to the Putnam home since Janine had given birth to Mrs. Putnam’s daughter, Angela.
But things quickly unraveled. When Janine lashed out at Mrs. Putnam for acting like her friend, she was swiftly arrested and taken away. Aunt Lydia is left stunned, wondering why Janine would sabotage things that way. The moment underscored Lydia’s internal conflict and hinted at a potential shift in her loyalties, even as she remained bound to the oppressive system she had long upheld, and we could see some changes in her behavior in Season 6.
The Final Moments of Season 5 Echo Season 1 For June and Luke in ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Season 5
In the Season 5 finale, June was violently attacked and nearly killed by a man driving a truck. Luke intervened just in time, fighting off the attacker and saving her, but the man later died from his injuries, putting Luke in serious legal trouble. As an American living in Canada, where anti-refugee sentiment is violently on the rise, Luke knew he’d likely be arrested, even though it was self-defense.
With authorities closing in, Luke, June, and Nicole tried to flee Toronto. At the train station, the family was heartbreakingly separated, echoing their journey in Season 1. Luke stayed behind, sacrificing his freedom to ensure June and Nicole could escape. With a promise to reunite, Luke was taken into custody while June boarded the train with their daughter. In a final twist, June spotted Serena on board with her son, setting the stage for Season 6 and the complicated dynamic between these two former enemies turned uneasy allies.
Season 6 of The Handmaid’s Tale premieres April 8 on Hulu.
- Release Date
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2017 – 2025-00-00
- Network
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Hulu
- Showrunner
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Bruce Miller
- Directors
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Mike Barker, Kari Skogland, Daina Reid, Reed Morano, Floria Sigismondi, Jeremy Podeswa, Kate Dennis, Richard Shepard, Amma Asante, Christina Choe, Deniz Gamze Ergüven, Bradley Whitford, Dearbhla Walsh, Liz Garbus
- Writers
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Kira Snyder, Eric Tuchman, Yahlin Chang, John Herrera, Jacey Heldrich, Dorothy Fortenberry, Marissa Jo Cerar, Lynn Renee Maxcy
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