
2025 marks the premiere of the sixth and last season of “The Handmaid’s Tale,” with the first three episodes airing on April 8, during Trump’s second term, a time that seems to bring the transformation of America into Gilead closer than ever. What audiences might find comforting is if June Osborne, the handmaid-turned-revolutionary (Elisabeth Moss), and her comrades could finally, after six seasons of struggle, overthrow the government that seized their freedom without a trace of remorse. However, “The Handmaid’s Tale” has never been a source of comfort, and the series, led by TV veteran Bruce Miller (ER, The 100) and currently managed by co-showrunners Eric Tuchman and Yahlin Chang, remains dedicated to making life difficult for its characters. Moreover, it’s already known that Gilead won’t fall easily: Hulu is developing a TV series based on “The Testaments,” a sequel following Atwood’s novel of the same name, set 15 years after its predecessor, a time when Gilead still persists. Thus, the final season of “The Handmaid’s Tale” won’t likely provide a satisfying conclusion to Gilead’s oppressive rule.