How The Handmaid’s Tale Series Finale Ended After 6 Seasons

The Handmaid’s Tale has officially closed its harrowing chapter after six critically acclaimed seasons, but the story’s end is only the beginning for fans eagerly awaiting the next installment: The Testaments. The series finale, which aired on May 27, 2025, delivered a powerful, emotionally charged conclusion that left viewers with a burning question—what comes next for June, Hannah, and the world of Gilead? As the dust settles on this dystopian saga, all eyes now turn to The Testaments, the highly anticipated sequel series set to launch later this year.

The Handmaid’s Tale Finale: A New Dawn, But Not the End

The final episode of The Handmaid’s Tale did not tie up every loose end. Instead, it set the stage for The Testaments by focusing on liberation, unresolved reunions, and the lingering trauma of Gilead. After a shocking attack that killed several top commanders, the regime’s grip began to loosen in Boston and other parts of the Northeast. June Osborne, portrayed with relentless intensity by Elisabeth Moss, found herself back in the ruins of the Waterfords’ home, beginning to record her story—the very act that started Margaret Atwood’s original novel.

Key moments from the finale include:

• June’s emotional return to her former home, now destroyed, where she starts recording her memoirs.
• The liberation of parts of the U.S. from Gilead, but the regime’s power still holding strong in regions like Colorado, where June’s daughter Hannah remains captive.
• The surprise return of Alexis Bledel as Emily, providing a poignant reunion and closure for fans who missed her presence after her earlier departure.

Despite these developments, the finale left the fate of June’s daughter Hannah unresolved, echoing the uncertainty and hope that have defined the series from the beginning.

The Testaments: The Next Chapter Begins

With The Handmaid’s Tale concluding on a note of unfinished business, The Testaments is poised to pick up the narrative threads and expand the universe. Based on Margaret Atwood’s 2019 sequel, The Testaments jumps forward 15 years, focusing on the next generation of women shaped by Gilead’s legacy.

What to expect from The Testaments:

• The story will center on June’s daughter, now known as Agnes, and other young women navigating the aftermath of Gilead’s fall.
• Aunt Lydia, a complex figure throughout the original series, will take on a pivotal role, with her arc promising new revelations and possibly redemption.
• The series will explore the dismantling of Gilead from within, shifting the focus from survival to resistance and transformation.

The adaptation is being helmed by Bruce Miller, who has guided The Handmaid’s Tale since its inception, ensuring continuity in tone and vision. Elisabeth Moss remains involved as a producer, though her on-screen role in the sequel is still under wraps.

How The Handmaid’s Tale Finale Sets Up The Testaments

The finale’s structure was carefully designed to bridge the gap between The Handmaid’s Tale and The Testaments. By ending with June beginning her memoirs, the show mirrors the original novel’s ambiguous conclusion, while also passing the torch to a new generation.

Key connections between the finale and The Testaments:

• June’s unresolved mission to rescue Hannah sets up Agnes’s story in The Testaments.
• The partial liberation of the U.S. hints at the broader collapse of Gilead, a central theme in the sequel.
• The return of characters like Emily provides closure while also suggesting that familiar faces may reappear in new contexts.

For fans, the biggest question remains: Will The Testaments deliver the answers and closure that The Handmaid’s Tale left tantalizingly out of reach? The sequel promises to delve deeper into the psyches of Gilead’s survivors and the mechanisms of its downfall.

Why The Testaments May Be the Franchise’s Most Important Chapter

While The Handmaid’s Tale captivated audiences with its unflinching look at oppression and resistance, The Testaments offers a chance to explore healing, justice, and the rebuilding of society. The stakes are different—less about survival, more about legacy and change.

What makes The Testaments essential viewing:

• It continues the franchise’s legacy, ensuring that the conversation around power, gender, and freedom remains relevant.
• The sequel’s unpredictability—without a direct sequel to adapt—means viewers can expect genuine surprises and new directions.
• By focusing on younger characters, The Testaments may resonate with a new generation of viewers, expanding the series’ impact.

The Handmaid’s Tale’s End Is Just the Beginning

The Handmaid’s Tale series finale delivered a powerful, open-ended conclusion that left fans both satisfied and hungry for more. With The Testaments on the horizon, the world of Gilead is far from finished. The burning question—what happens to June, Hannah, and the women of Gilead—will finally be answered in the next chapter.

Stay tuned as The Testaments prepares to take center stage, promising fresh perspectives, new heroes, and the resolution fans have been waiting for.

Don’t miss your chance to witness the next evolution of this groundbreaking story—follow updates on The Testaments and join the conversation as the legacy of The Handmaid’s Tale continues.