The Handmaid’s Tale Season 5 Release Date Speculation, Cast And Episodes

The Handmaid’s Tale season 5 release date

The streaming service renewed the drama for season 5 in December 2020. The announcement was made during the Disney Investor Day presentation — months before season 4 even premiered.

As for when The Handmaid’s Tale season 5 might be released, we can make an educated guess. The first three seasons of the show were released a year apart — April 2017, April 2018, and June 2019. Season 4 was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic, like so many other TV and film productions, and didn’t premiere until April 2021.

The Handmaid’s Tale season 5 cast

The cast of The Handmaid’s Tale season 5 will be led by Elisabeth Moss as June Osborne, formerly known as Offred during her time as a handmaid in Gilead.

While the show hasn’t confirmed anyone else’s return, Moss will likely be joined by Yvonne Strahovski as Serena Joy Waterford, the wife of Commander Fred Waterford. She is currently pregnant and in detention in Canada, and does not know her husband is dead.

Speaking of whom, we may see Joseph Fiennes as Commander Fred Waterford again despite the character’s death in the finale. The Handmaid’s Tale often features flashbacks to the past.

Other cast members likely to appear in season 5 include:

• O. T. Fagbenle as Luke Bankole, June’s husband
• Samira Wiley as Moira Strand, June’s best friend
• Alexis Bledel as Dr. Emily Malek, a former handmaid
• Max Minghella as Commander Nick Blaine, the Waterfords’ former driver, and June’s lover
• Ann Dowd as Aunt Lydia Clements, a woman who oversees the handmaids
• Madeline Brewer as Janine Lindo, a recaptured handmaid who has one eye
• Bradley Whitford as Commander Joseph Lawrence, a high-ranking Gilead official, and June’s last commander
• Amanda Brugel as Rita Blue, the Waterfords’ former Martha now living in Canada
• Sam Jaeger as Mark Trello, U.S. government official in Canada
• Jordana Blake as Hannah Bankole, June and Luke’s daughter
• Stephen Kunken as Commander Warren Putnam, Janine’s former commander
• Ever Carradine as Naomi Putnam, Warren’s wife
• Mckenna Grace as Esther Keyes, the former wife of a commander and now a handmaid

Since The Handmaid’s Tale features so many flashbacks, it’s possible we see a number of cast members from the past including Cherry Jones as Holly Maddox, June’s mother; Clea DuVall as Sylvia, Emily’s wife; Nina Kiri as Alma, a handmaid; Bahia Watson as Brianna, a handmaid; Edie Inksetter as Aunt Elizabeth; Jeananne Goossen as Aunt Ruth; Zawe Ashton as Oona, Moira’s ex-girlfriend; Amy Landecker as Mrs. MacKenzie, Hannah’s assigned mother.

The Handmaid’s Tale season 5 episodes

The announcement of Hulu’s renewal did not indicate how many episodes will be in The Handmaid’s Tale season 5.

Seasons 1 and 4 each had 10 episodes, while seasons 2 and 3 had 13 episodes.

Season 5 may consist of 10 or fewer episodes since the pandemic has caused production delays and slowdowns. If the show’s creative team wants it to come back sooner than later, they may choose to make a shorter season.

How did The Handmaid’s Tale season 4 finale end?

In The Handmaid’s Tale season 4, June met with Fred Waterford, ostensibly to say goodbye before he went to Zurich and made a plea deal with the international court that gained his freedom. However, their encounter clearly dissatisfied her and induced June to find a way to prevent Fred from going free.

June approached Mark Trello while he was jogging and asked him to drive her to a location. There, they found Commander Lawrence with an offer. If they delivered Fred, Gilead would free 22 women who had been captured while working for the resistance.