What Happened to The Handmaid's Tale?
Originally a seminal 1985 dystopian novel by Margaret Atwood, 'The Handmaid's Tale' gained renewed global prominence through its critically acclaimed Hulu television series, which ran for six seasons from 2017 to 2025. The narrative explores a totalitarian, theonomic society called Gilead, where fertile women are forced into child-bearing servitude. The franchise continues to expand with a television adaptation of Atwood's sequel novel, 'The Testaments,' which premiered in April 2026.
Quick Answer
The acclaimed Hulu series 'The Handmaid's Tale' concluded its six-season run on May 27, 2025, with a finale that saw June Osborne continue her fight against Gilead. The story of the 'Gilead-verse' is now being continued with a sequel series, 'The Testaments,' based on Margaret Atwood's 2019 novel, which premiered on Hulu and Disney+ on April 8, 2026. Additionally, the original 'The Handmaid's Tale' series was added to Netflix in various territories in May 2026, finding new global viewership.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Margaret Atwood's 'The Handmaid's Tale' Novel Published
Margaret Atwood's dystopian novel, depicting the Republic of Gilead, is released and quickly gains critical acclaim, winning major literary awards.
Film Adaptation Released
The first major adaptation of the novel, a film starring Natasha Richardson and Faye Dunaway, is released.
Hulu Announces TV Series Premiere Date
Hulu officially announces the premiere date for its 10-episode adaptation of 'The Handmaid's Tale,' starring Elisabeth Moss.
The Handmaid's Tale TV Series Premieres on Hulu
The first three episodes of the television series adaptation are released, quickly gaining critical attention for its timely themes.
Wins 8 Primetime Emmy Awards
The first season of the series wins eight Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Lead Actress for Elisabeth Moss, a historic win for a streaming service.
Margaret Atwood's 'The Testaments' Novel Published
Atwood releases a sequel to her original novel, 'The Testaments,' which goes on to win the Booker Prize.
TV Series Renewed for Sixth and Final Season
Hulu announces that 'The Handmaid's Tale' will conclude with its sixth season, ahead of the fifth season's premiere.
Bruce Miller Steps Down as Showrunner to Focus on 'The Testaments'
Creator Bruce Miller transitions from his role as showrunner for 'The Handmaid's Tale' to dedicate his efforts to adapting 'The Testaments' for television.
Filming for 'The Handmaid's Tale' Season 6 Begins
Production for the final season of the series commences, after delays due to industry strikes.
Filming for 'The Handmaid's Tale' Season 6 Wraps
Cast members confirm the conclusion of filming for the sixth and final season of the acclaimed series.
The Handmaid's Tale Season 6 Premieres
The sixth and final season of 'The Handmaid's Tale' begins airing on Hulu with its first three episodes.
The Handmaid's Tale Series Finale Airs
The final episode of 'The Handmaid's Tale' is released, concluding June Osborne's story on Hulu after six seasons.
The Testaments TV Series Release Date Announced
Hulu announces that the highly anticipated sequel series, 'The Testaments,' will premiere in April 2026.
'The Testaments' TV Series Premieres on Hulu and Disney+
The sequel series, based on Atwood's novel and continuing the 'Gilead-verse,' begins airing, featuring new and returning characters like Aunt Lydia.
Original Series Added to Netflix, Climbs Global Charts
One year after its conclusion on Hulu, 'The Handmaid's Tale' becomes available on Netflix in various territories, quickly becoming a global streaming hit.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Margaret Atwood's chilling 1985 dystopian novel, 'The Handmaid's Tale,' envisioned a near-future New England transformed into the Republic of Gilead, a totalitarian Christian fundamentalist state where environmental disasters and plummeting birthrates lead to fertile women, or 'Handmaids,' being forced into sexual servitude. The novel quickly became a classic, winning the 1985 Governor General's Award and the first Arthur C. Clarke Award in 1987.
The story gained immense contemporary relevance with the launch of its television adaptation on Hulu. The series, created by Bruce Miller and starring Elisabeth Moss as protagonist June Osborne (Offred), premiered on April 26, 2017. Its timing, amidst shifting political landscapes and discussions around reproductive rights, resonated deeply, making the Handmaids' red robes and white bonnets a powerful symbol of protest worldwide. The first season was a critical and commercial success, winning eight Primetime Emmy Awards from 13 nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series – a first for a streaming service – and a Golden Globe for Best Television Series – Drama. Elisabeth Moss also won an Emmy and Golden Globe for Best Actress.
The series continued to explore June's harrowing journey within Gilead and her fight for freedom and to rescue her daughter, Hannah. It was renewed for five additional seasons, with production often facing delays, including those caused by the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA strikes. The sixth and final season of 'The Handmaid's Tale' premiered on April 8, 2025, with its highly anticipated series finale airing on May 27, 2025. The finale offered a reflective, yet unresolved ending, with June continuing her fight and the liberation of Boston being a key turning point, but leaving the ultimate fate of Gilead open for future exploration.
The 'Gilead-verse' did not end with 'The Handmaid's Tale.' Margaret Atwood's 2019 sequel novel, 'The Testaments,' which won the Booker Prize, became the blueprint for a new television series. Bruce Miller, who created 'The Handmaid's Tale,' stepped down as its showrunner in March 2023 to focus on developing 'The Testaments' adaptation. This sequel series, set roughly 15 years after the original, premiered on Hulu and Disney+ on April 8, 2026. It features returning character Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd) and introduces new protagonists, including June's daughters, Agnes and Daisy, continuing the struggle against Gilead from new perspectives.
As of May 2026, 'The Testaments' is currently airing new episodes weekly, expanding the narrative and exploring the inner workings and potential downfall of Gilead. Furthermore, in a testament to its enduring popularity, the original 'The Handmaid's Tale' series was made available on Netflix in various international territories in May 2026, where it quickly climbed the global charts, proving its continued cultural impact and drawing new audiences to the story.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if The Handmaid's Tale made different choices?