The sixth and final season of The Handmaid’s Tale is almost here — but not every fan favorite is returning for more episodes of the show.
Based on Margaret Atwood’s novel of the same name, The Handmaid’s Tale takes place in a dystopian future where low fertility rates have led women to be assigned to men for bearing children. Elisabeth Moss, Yvonne Strahovski, Madeline Brewer, Ann Dowd, O-T Fagbenle, Max Minghella, Samira Wiley and Amanda Brugel have led the cast since the show premiered in 2017.
Season 5 paved the way for an explosive conclusion after June (Moss) and Serena (Strahovski) ran into each other on the same train of Gilead refugees headed to Vancouver before trying to settle in Hawaii.
“It’s actually a pretty positive ending for the show and the season, which we don’t usually do. It’s a cliffhanger,” Moss told The Hollywood Reporter in November 2022 of the finale. “But there’s something positive about it. Of course, of all the people that would be on the train is this person who is her other half, the other half of this experience.”
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At the time, Moss teased what fans can expect going into the final chapter, telling Elle, “June is going to figure out who she is and who she’s going to be for the rest of her life.”
Keep scrolling to see which The Handmaid’s Tale characters are returning for season 6 — and which aren’t:
June
Moss teased to Elle in November 2022 that the final season centers on a fight that “is not just about one individual.” According to Moss, fans shouldn’t expect a happy ending, adding, “I don’t think we feel an obligation to tie up the entire story of Gilead.”
Serena
“And that, Ladies and Gents is a series wrap for Serena Joy. I have so many things to say & so many people to thank. I have many more photos to post,” Strahovski wrote via Instagram in February 2025. “But for now, goodbye Serena Joy. It was a pleasure knowing you. You brought so much more to my life than I could have ever dreamed of. Thank you from the bottom of my heart & through my very soggy tears as I drive away from set for the last time
.”
Janine
“I feel very confident that we’re in good hands and that Janine is in good hands,” Brewer told Awards Radar in June 2023. “I have my theories. I won’t speculate. … I want her to get the hell out. Since that’s what Janine wants, I want that for Janine.”
Luke
“THATS A WRAP on the final season of Handmaids! It’s coming soon! Any predictions?” Fagbenle captioned an Instagram post in February 2025 alongside photos of himself with fellow cast members.
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Aunt Lydia
Not only is Dowd returning to The Handmaid’s Tale, her character Aunt Lydia scored her own spinoff as well. Set 15 years later, The Testaments follows three women as they recount what happened to Gilead after June (Moss) was taken and Aunt Lydia (Dowd) was revealed to be a mole for Mayday.
Nick
“What’s interesting about the show, I don’t know any more than anyone else. We don’t get episodes ahead of time. Much like life, I don’t know what will happen tomorrow,” Minghella teased to Deadline in September 2024. “I love this character, I love the relationship between Nick and June.”
Moira
“Just realized the fit to the left legit looks like a Handmaid’s costume. 
Let’s go Season 6!” Wiley wrote via Instagram in November 2024. “It’s gonna be fire, y’all. I promise! We talkin Season 1 vibes. (And let’s go for the fact that Samira only knows how to post like it’s 2012!) 
.”
Rita
Amanda Brugel is returning as Rita in the sixth and final season of the hit Hulu series.
Commander Joseph
After originating the role of the founder of the Colonies, Bradley Whitford will wrap up his villainous story during the final season of The Handmaid’s Tale.
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Mark
Sam Jaeger hinted on the “Consequence of Sound” podcast in January 2025 that the final season won’t provide the resolution fans are looking for, adding, “This isn’t a ‘happily ever after’ kind of story.”
Naomi
Ever Carradine was promoted to a series regular for the final season of The Handmaid’s Tale. She has played Commander Putnam’s wife since the show debuted.
Unnamed Character
Ahead of season 6, Josh Charles was cast as a series regular but details about his character were not immediately released.
Another Unnamed Character
D’Arcy Carden was cast in a mysterious guest role as well.
Emily
Alexis Bledel is not expected to return after she left ahead of season 5. “After much thought, I felt I had to step away from The Handmaid’s Tale at this time,” she told Variety in a 2022 statement. “I am forever grateful to [executive producer] Bruce Miller for writing such truthful and resonant scenes for Emily, and to Hulu, MGM, the cast and crew for their support.”
