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While filming season 4 was underway, season 5 of The Handmaid’s Tale was officially greenlit. Since the series premiered on Hulu in 2017, the futuristic dystopian drama has given fans a glimpse into the terrifying Republic of Gilead.
Whether you’re caught up on all three seasons or you’re only just diving into the show after reading Margaret Atwood’s 1985 novel, you’re probably curious about what’s to come in season 5 of The Handmaid’s Tale. Keep on reading for all the key details.
Is season 5 the last season of The Handmaid’s Tale?
At the moment, we’re not entirely sure. But in an interview with Deadline, creator Bruce Miller said that he is “never looking to end it.”
“I work with a group of very undifficult people; we have a lovely group of writers, a spectacular group of actors and visiting directors and our crew. What they did this year was amazing,” Bruce gushed to the outlet.
That said, he did also say that he knows what the end is. “I’m not going to overstay my welcome but I’m also not going to rush off if I don’t have to because as long as I am writing for Elisabeth Moss, you know, it really doesn’t get much better.”
When will The Handmaid’s Tale season 5 premiere on Hulu?
The Handmaid’s Tale has officially been renewed for season 5. In December, Hulu announced the fifth installment on social media with a video of the cast. While on the set of The Handmaid’s Tale, the stars of the hit series checked in with fans and shared the exciting news about the drama getting picked up for season 5.
A premiere date for The Handmaid’s Tale season 5 has yet to be announced. But based on the show’s current timeline, it may be a while before it arrives on the streaming service. After the coronavirus pandemic halted production, season 4 resumed filming in late 2020 and premiered in the summer of 2021. Fans might have to wait until late 2022 or 2023 to watch The Handmaid’s Tale season 5.
Who is in the cast of The Handmaid’s Tale season 5?
Since its first season, The Handmaid’s Tale has featured a stellar cast of characters. As of right now, we predict the entire main cast will return for season 5:
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Elisabeth Moss as June Osborne
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Max Minghella as Commander Nick Blaine
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Bradley Whitford as Commander Joseph Lawrence
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Yvonne Strahovski as Serena Joy Waterford
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Alexis Bledel as Dr. Emily Malek Ph.D.
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Samira Wiley as Moira
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Ann Dowd as Aunt Lydia
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O-T Fagbenle as Luke Bankole
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Madeline Brewer as Janine
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Amanda Brugel as Rita
How can I watch and stream The Handmaid’s Tale?
You can watch (or rewatch!) seasons 1, 2, and 3 of The Handmaid’s Tale exclusively on Hulu. If you’re streaming the show on your laptop, you can head over to the Hulu website. Alternatively, you can catch all three seasons via the iPhone or Android apps. First time users can sign up for a month-long free trial. After the trial expires, you can keep using the service for as low as $5.99 per month.
Should I read The Handmaid’s Tale book while waiting for season 5?
Why not? If you’ve ever felt lost while watching the show (which is understandable, since viewers are dropped into the middle of the chaos in the very first episode), the book The Handmaid’s Tale, written by Margaret Atwood, gives much more background on how Gilead came to be.
After reading The Handmaid’s Tale novel, you can dive into the author’s sequel, The Testaments. Set more than 15 years after the original book, Gilead is still a strict society but it’s starting to implode. The Testaments tells the story of three women whose lives are brought together for a greater cause.
In September 2019, Hulu and MGM confirmed the rights to the sequel and began discussions with series creator and showrunner Bruce Miller about developing the book into its own TV series as “an important extension” to The Handmaid’s Tale. In other words, it’ll be good to know where the story might be headed next — unless, of course, you can’t stand spoilers.
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