James R | On 11, Oct 2022

Update: Season 5 premieres at 9pm on Channel 4 on 23rd October.

The Handmaid’s Tale will return to UK TV screens this month, and it’ll be doing so on Amazon Prime Video as well as on Channel 4.

Adapted from the classic novel by Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid’s Tale tells the story of life in the dystopia of Gilead, a totalitarian society in what was formerly the United States. Offred/June (played by Elizabeth Moss), one of the few fertile women known as Handmaids in the oppressive Republic of Gilead, struggles to survive as a reproductive surrogate for a powerful Commander (Joseph Fiennes) and his resentful wife, Serena (Yvonne Strahovski).

Season 4 followed June’s fight for freedom against Gilead, but the risks she took brought unexpected and dangerous new challenges, and her desire for justice and revenge threatened to consume her and destroy her most cherished relationships.

Season 5 picks up in the aftermath of her actions, with June struggling to redefine her identity and purpose. Meanwhile, Serena attempts to raise her profile in Toronto as Gilead’s influence creeps into Canada and Commander Lawrence (Bradley Whitford) works with Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd) and Nick (Max Minghella) as he tries to reform Gilead and rise in power. Already returning to the cast are Luke (O-T Fagbenle) and Moira (Samira Wiley), plus Madeline Brewer as Janine, Amanda Brugel as Rita and Sam Jaeger as Mark.

Nick Lee, Head of Acquisitions at Channel 4 said: “Over the series The Handmaid’s Tale has remained reflective, high quality and hard hitting. We’re thrilled Channel 4 and All 4 audiences will be returning to Gilead to see further justice dispensed in the next riveting installment.”

The series has debuted on Channel 4 throughout its run, but with Amazon now owning MGM, which produces the show, the broadcaster will share the premiere rights with Amazon Prime Video. Season 5 premiered on Hulu in the USA on 14th September. This is no word yet on an exact premiere date in the UK, but in the meantime all four seasons are available on both All 4 and Amazon Prime Video.

Here’s the Hulu trailer for Season 5, which contains spoilers for Season 4:

 

The Handmaid’s Tale renewed for Season 5

15th December 2020

Hulu has renewed The Handmaid’s Tale for a fifth season.

This series, based on Margaret Atwood’s seminal novel of the same name, is set in the dystopia of Gilead, a totalitarian society in what was formerly the United States. Facing environmental disasters and a plunging birthrate, Gilead is ruled by a twisted fundamentalism in its militarised ‘return to traditional values’. As one of the few remaining fertile women, Offred (Elisabeth Moss) is a Handmaid in the Commander’s household, one of the caste of women forced into sexual servitude as a desperate attempt to repopulate the world.

Season 3 followed June’s resistance against Gilead and her struggle to strike back versus overwhelming odds. Season 4 has been delayed by the coronavirus pandemic, but production resumed after the outbreak in September, with a release date planned for 2021.

In the upcoming 10-episode run, June strikes back against Gilead as a fierce rebel leader, but the risks she takes bring unexpected and dangerous new challenges. Her quest for justice and revenge threatens to consume her and destroy her most cherished relationships.

Now, Hulu has confirmed that Season 5 is on the way. Season 5 will be executive produced by Bruce Miller, Warren Littlefield, Elisabeth Moss, Daniel Wilson, Fran Sears, Eric Tuchman, John Weber, Frank Siracusa, Sheila Hockin and Yahlin Chang. The series is produced by MGM Television and internationally distributed by MGM.

 

The Handmaid’s Tale renewed for Season 4

31st July 2019

The Handmaid’s Tale will return for Season 4, Hulu has announced.

This series, based on Margaret Atwood’s seminal novel of the same name, is set in the dystopia of Gilead, a totalitarian society in what was formerly the United States. Facing environmental disasters and a plunging birthrate, Gilead is ruled by a twisted fundamentalism in its militarised ‘return to traditional values’. As one of the few remaining fertile women, Offred (Elisabeth Moss) is a Handmaid in the Commander’s household, one of the caste of women forced into sexual servitude as a desperate attempt to repopulate the world.

Season 3 premiered recently on Channel 4 in the UK, shortly behind the show’s US broadcast, and is driven by June’s resistance against Gilead and her struggle to strike back versus overwhelming odds. Now, just 10 episodes into the show’s third run, Hulu has confirmed that it has already ordered a fourth season.

Hulu made the announcement at TCA, following 11 nominations at the 2019 Emmys, the most for any Hulu series. It won three Primetime Emmys in 2018. You can expect Season 4 to once again air on Channel 4.

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