Many people have been wondering whether or not The Handmaid’s Tale will return for a fifth season. While nothing is set in stone, it seems like the show might be coming to an end. Jordan Helman, head of scripted content at Hulu Originals, told Variety that there are “conversations” about what the future of The Handmaid’s Tale holds. He said: “What Bruce Miller and Warren Littlefield and Lizzie Moss have delivered for us over the course of the past several years has been amazing.”
“We’re having conversations right now about what the future of Handmaid’s Tale holds. What Bruce Miller and Warren Littlefield and Lizzie Moss have delivered for us over the course of past several years has been amazing,” Helman told Variety, adding: “What they’ve given to this world that Margaret Atwood created is truly remarkable.”
It’s not the first time Miller has hinted at a possible end date for The Handmaid’s Tale. Back in February, he told TV Line that “we’re not planning to go past season five.” And while we might be reaching peak dystopia with handmaids protesting and women dressing up as handmaids to oppose anti-abortion legislation, it’s not clear whether the show is over yet.
What Happened in Handmaid’s Tale Season 5?
The plot of season 5 was a bit different from previous seasons. In season four, handmaids were given the opportunity to exit Gilead and head north for safety in Canada. This is what June ultimately does as well when she kills her commander Fred Waterford (Joseph Fiennes) at an anti-Gilead protest rally — free of charge as a handmaid named Unwoman who has been on Gileadean soil too long for anyone to care about her fate now that they’re gone.
There are handmaids, handmaids in Canada, and handmaids on the run. There is Commander Lawrence (Bradley Whitford), who may be executed if he doesn’t get out of Gilead soon enough. There’s a rape crisis center being set up by June and Moira (Samira Wiley) to help handmaids heal after so many years under the regime, starting with Aunt Lydia’s abuse as children.
The Future of Handmaid’s Tale
So when will the handmaids’ story end? According to Helman, it’s “premature” at this time. But if The Handmaid’s Tale were a person (which is an interesting thought), he said: “The handmaid would not make any big moves until she has her family back together again.”
That might be easier said than done with so many things happening right now in Gilead and other parts of North America that are slowly being revealed, like what happened to Emily and Janine at Aunt Lydia’s school for handmaid trainees called Red Center.
Helman also told Variety the fifth season is going into production soon but didn’t want to give too much away about who or in the Handmaid’s life would be intersecting with the handmaid on her journey to reunite her family.
Will things end for The Handmaid’s Tale after season five? No one can say yet. But as long as there are still motherhood figures who want to oppress women around the world (even if they don’t realize it), then we’ll be here to document their lives through these dark times too.
