How Many Episodes Are Left in the Final Season of The Handmaid’s Tale

The Handmaid’s Tale, Hulu’s critically acclaimed dystopian drama, is finally nearing its long-anticipated conclusion. As fans prepare to say goodbye to the haunting world of Gilead, one major question looms: How many episodes are left in the final season of The Handmaid’s Tale?

If you’re among the millions of viewers tracking the show’s final arc, you’re not alone. With its intense themes, powerful performances, and timely social commentary, The Handmaid’s Tale has become one of Hulu’s most popular and important original series. Here’s everything you need to know about the final season’s episode count, release schedule, and what to expect as the story wraps up.

How Many Episodes Are in The Handmaid’s Tale Final Season?

The final season of The Handmaid’s Tale—Season 6—is officially confirmed to consist of 10 episodes. This makes it slightly shorter than a few of the earlier seasons, some of which featured 13 episodes. Still, the final season promises to be packed with high-stakes drama, emotional payoffs, and the ultimate resolution of June Osborne’s journey.

As of now, Season 6 has not yet premiered. Hulu has announced that the sixth season is currently in production, with filming taking place throughout 2024 and the premiere expected in early or mid-2025. Therefore, technically, all 10 episodes of the final season are still to come.

What We Know About the Final Season’s Release Date

While Hulu has not provided an official release date for Season 6, industry insiders suggest the final episodes will debut sometime in 2025, possibly in the spring or summer. The production was reportedly delayed due to the 2023 writers’ and actors’ strikes, which impacted many major television and film projects.

Once production resumed, the show’s creators prioritized delivering a compelling and satisfying conclusion. Bruce Miller, the series’ creator and showrunner, has teased that the final season will tie up key storylines and bring closure to the characters fans have grown to love—and hate—over the years.

Given Hulu’s past release patterns, it’s expected that the network will drop the first two or three episodes of Season 6 on premiere day, followed by weekly releases for the remainder of the season.

Recap: Where Did Season 5 Leave Off?

Season 5 of The Handmaid’s Tale left viewers with major cliffhangers and escalating tension. June Osborne (played by Elisabeth Moss) found herself once again targeted by Gilead sympathizers—even within Canada. Meanwhile, Serena Joy faced an uncertain future, navigating life as a mother in exile.

The season finale saw June and Serena forming an uneasy alliance as both women realized they had more in common than they previously believed. Meanwhile, Nick’s role became even more complicated as he continued to straddle the line between loyalty to Gilead and his love for June.

With war looming and political lines blurring, Season 6 has a lot of ground to cover.

What Can Fans Expect From the Final 10 Episodes?

Though full plot details for The Handmaid’s Tale Season 6 remain tightly under wraps, we can expect the following themes and developments in the final 10 episodes:

• June’s Final Stand: June will likely continue her fight to dismantle Gilead and reunite her family, especially with her daughter Hannah still in captivity.

• Gilead’s Downfall: As resistance grows, the regime of Gilead may finally begin to crumble from within.

• Nick and June’s Relationship: Their star-crossed love story remains unresolved. Will they find a way back to each other?

• Serena’s Transformation: Will Serena fully evolve from antagonist to ally, or is she playing a long game?

• Justice and Retribution: Many fans are hoping that key figures in Gilead’s leadership will finally face justice for their crimes.

These final 10 episodes promise emotional resolutions, shocking twists, and hopefully, a sense of justice for the show’s central characters.

Will There Be a Spinoff to The Handmaid’s Tale?

Yes—fans can rejoice in knowing that while The Handmaid’s Tale is ending, its universe will continue. Hulu is already developing a spinoff series based on Margaret Atwood’s sequel novel, The Testaments.

Set years after the events of The Handmaid’s Tale, The Testaments will follow new characters while also revisiting familiar faces like Aunt Lydia. The spinoff will explore how Gilead’s regime eventually unravels and the roles certain women played in its downfall.

This means that while Season 6 will conclude June’s story, the world of Gilead will live on through a new lens.

Why Is The Handmaid’s Tale Ending?

All good things must come to an end—and for The Handmaid’s Tale, the timing feels right. The show’s creators have long said they wanted the series to end on a high note, with a cohesive narrative arc that does justice to its characters and themes.

With six seasons and dozens of awards, including multiple Emmys and a Golden Globe for Elisabeth Moss, The Handmaid’s Tale has cemented its place in TV history. Ending the series with a planned final season allows the writers to give fans the closure they deserve.

Conclusion: The Final Countdown Has Begun

To sum up: The final season of The Handmaid’s Tale will consist of 10 episodes, all of which are yet to be released. Fans can expect the premiere in 2025, with weekly episode drops following the launch.

While the wait may be long, the payoff promises to be worth it. With the fate of Gilead hanging in the balance and June’s journey nearing its end, Season 6 will be a powerful conclusion to one of the most important series of the past decade.

So mark your calendars, keep an eye out for Hulu’s official announcements, and prepare for one last journey through the harrowing—but hopeful—world of The Handmaid’s Tale.

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