‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Cast and Producers on How They Wanted to End the Series With More ‘Feel Good’ Episodes

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For six seasons, “The Handmaid‘s Tale” has been gripping, emotional, and at times exhausting. As the series approaches its conclusion, the creators behind the Emmy-winning Hulu show aimed to infuse more positivity into the narrative. During a talk at PaleyFest LA on Wednesday, co-showrunner and executive producer Yahlin Chang stated that the writers intended the final season to serve as a heartfelt tribute to the fans, acknowledging that “you’ve been incredibly supportive through all ups and downs.

At a particular stage of the show, overwhelmed by the string of intense, upsetting narratives, Chang found herself wanting to introduce more heartwarming episodes. As she put it, “All I aspire for is a finale filled with victory, feelings of hope, triumph, and inspiration.”

Or simply:

Over time, as the show delved into emotionally challenging storylines, Chang felt compelled to introduce more uplifting episodes. Her vision for the end was clear: “I want a victorious ending that leaves us feeling hopeful, triumphant, and inspired.

At PaleyFest, the panel for “The Handmaid’s Tale” showcased a glance at its development by playing significant clips depicting key character events from throughout the series’ run, along with a sneak peek of the upcoming sixth and last season. Attendees were treated to a glimpse of Season 6, featuring a conversation between Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd) and Janine (Madeline Brewer).

In their meeting, they delved into each scene and their personal experiences working on the production. Elisabeth Moss, the star who portrays June Osborne and additionally contributes as a producer and director, shared her thoughts about how this show has influenced her career: “Acting is my passion, it’s what I love most. However, after dedicating so much time to it, an artist needs to evolve,” Moss expressed.

Moss praised the process of growing her skills by creating and overseeing as “incredibly rewarding” and acknowledged the talented cast. She admitted that directing a short film was something new to her, but jokingly added, “It was like my first time directing anyone, except it happened to be Bradley Whitford.

One of the video segments presented was from Season 2, depicting a heart-wrenching meeting between June and her daughter Hannah. During an interview, Moss was asked about preparing for such emotionally challenging scenes, prompting Whitford to chuckle. Moss explained that he laughed because for her, there is no rehearsal – it’s all real in the moment.

However, Moss stated that the quality of the script enabled her to tackle such scenes without prior practice: “For me personally, when one has such powerful material, it doesn’t require much to reach the necessary emotional depth.

A different moment from Season 3, Episode 13 added a moving touch to the series. It showcased characters Moira, Emily, and Luke welcoming children who had escaped Gilead and arrived in Canada. Samira Wiley (Moira’s actress) acknowledged, “This show is tough,” prompting laughter and applause from the audience.

In their conversation, Wiley expressed her observation of O-T Fagbenle’s portrayal of Luke, as she searched for her on-screen daughter, only to find that the new arrivals didn’t include her. Wiley admitted that motherhood had significantly shifted her viewpoint regarding the series: “At first, I was just thinking ‘what a great performance,’ but now, with the insight of being a mom, I can truly appreciate the gravity and complexity of that role,” Wiley shared, expressing admiration towards Lizzie and O-T.

Fagbenle shared some valuable thoughts about creating that particular scene. Initially, it wasn’t planned for Luke to search for Hannah, and the encounter was unexpected. “I abruptly paused whatever I was intended to do,” Fagbenle explained, “and I was simply observing.

Fagbenle expressed gratitude for director Mike Barker’s support and collaboration in altering a particular scene. He praised the unique approach of allowing room for thought amidst the fast-paced world of television, stating that this flexibility is one factor contributing to the exceptional quality of their show.

In addition to talking about a comedic scene in Season 5 where his character proposes awkwardly to another, Whitford also mentioned that he directed the episode. He emphasized the freedom actors have on “The Handmaid’s Tale,” humorously comparing Elisabeth Moss’s performance to a long-running series based on the movie “Sophie’s Choice.

Whitford expressed that it was a powerful and inspiring experience for him as an actor to have the opportunity to shape this character’s story in a setting that encouraged collaboration. Typically, he noted, actors are just following instructions: ‘Stand here and speak these lines.’

Whitford noted that “running this business requires courage rather than fear. It necessitates mature, reassuring individuals who, much like caring parents, sometimes enjoy being pleasantly surprised by their offspring. This situation exemplified that aspect.

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2025-03-27 23:17