The Handmaid’s Tale will officially return for a fifth season, and it may be the series’ final installment, according to Hulu.
Here is everything you need to know about the new season, including when it’s expected to arrive, who might come back to reprise their roles, and more. There’s also a teaser at the bottom of this feature.
Handmaid’s Tale season 5: What to know
There are spoilers below.
Season five will likely follow in the aftermath of [spoiler] June murdering Commander Fred Waterford (Joseph Fiennes) in season four’s finale and her life in Canada. Having said that, while June may have escaped Gilead at the end of the last season, there are still others trying to leave the totalitarian country who may become a narrative focus.
It seems like teen handmaid Esther Keyes (McKenna Grace) might have a large role. The actress hinted as much to Hollywood Reporter: “I feel like there’s only one June. But there is the whole rebellion and there are all of these other girls. So, there’s one June and I supposed there’s one Esther as well! We’ll see what she gets up to into the next season”, said Grace.
“I have no clue, but I have hopes . . . I think she [Esther] definitely can be part of this rebellion and the new generation of Handmaids. She will cause quite a stir”.
Handmaid’s Tale season 5: Final season?
Season five could be the final season. A Hulu executive suggested to Deadline that talks were underway about how to end the dystopian show:
“The success of The Handmaid’s Tale remains paramount for us”, said Hulu’s head of originals Jordan Hellman. “That said, what is also most important to us is that we close out that show in [a] creative fashion that feels organic so we are in constant communication, literally right now, talking with Bruce [Miller], Lizzie [Moss] and Warren [Littlefield], about what the best way to end The Handmaid’s Tale … We haven’t landed on an answer . . . I imagine we’re going to be able to answer that question in the coming months”.
Handmaid’s Tale season 5: Release date
Release date: Wednesday 14 September 2022
The fifth season of The Handmaid’s Tale is scheduled to release on 14 September 2022.
Two episodes will be released on this date. After this, one episode will be released weekly.
Handmaid’s Tale season 5: Where to stream
US
The Handmaid’s Tale will return to Hulu. Like the first four seasons, you will be able to watch the fifth season on the Disney-owned video streaming service.
UK
The Handmaid’s Tale is coming to Channel 4 when it arrives.
Handmaid’s Tale season 5: Cast and crew
Nothing has been confirmed. If all the central cast members return, then expect the following:
Elisabeth Moss as June OsbourneYvonne Strahovski as Serena Joy WaterfordAlexis Bledel as Dr Emily MalekMadeline Brewer as Janine LindoAnn Dowd as Aunt Lydia ClementsOT Fagbenle as Luke BankoleMax Minghella as Commander Nick BlaineSamira Wiley as Moira StrandAmanda Brugel as Rita BlueBradley Whitford as Commander Joseph LawrenceSam Jaeger as Mark TuelloMcKenna Grace as Esther KeyesZawe Ashton as Moira’s girlfriend OonaClea DuVall as Emily’s wife, SylviaCharlie Zeltzer as their son OliverMax Minghella as Commander Nick Blaine Sophie GiraudGenevieve Angelson as Mrs Wheeler
Reportedly, Christine Klo has been cast in the new season as a new character named Lily. According to Deadline, Lily is “a Gilead refugee who now is a leader in the Canada-based resistance movement”. Lily will “enter the story as a leader in the resistance who’s no stranger to perilous situations”. She has been described as a former Martha.
Handmaid’s Tale season 5: Trailers
There are no trailers for season five of The Handmaid’s Tale, but there is a teaser for the show, which you can watch below.
Handmaid’s Tale season 5: How to catch up
To truly be prepared for season five of The Handmaid’s Tale, you need to watch seasons one through four. Sorry, there’s no skipping those and being able to understand and enjoy the new season. You can watch the first four seasons on Hulu in the US. It starts at $6.99 per month and can be canceled at any time.
In the UK, you can stream the first four seasons on Prime Video.
You can also buy the seasons on Amazon:
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Watch The Handmaid’s Tale on Amazon Prime Video
What is the best streaming device for your TV? Our top recommendation is the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max. Also excellent are the Google Chromecast with Google TV, the Roku Express 4K, the Apple TV 4K and the Amazon Fire TV Stick.