The New Handmaid's Tale Trailer Is The Most Intense Thing I've Seen All Week

Before Season 4 of The Handmaid’s Tale was released, Season 5 was in the works. On Dec. 10, 2020, Disney (which owns The Handmaid’s Tale’s streamer Hulu) made many big announcements about all its brands, and Margaret Atwood fans learned more dystopian drama was in store. As audiences wait for details on the release date, trailer, cast, and plot, here’s everything that’s known so far about the upcoming fifth season of The Handmaid’s Tale:

The dark Hulu series is based on Atwood’s iconic 1985 novel of the same name. However, the series has moved well beyond the story the author put out in that first book and was starting to bring the story towards the place it is when Atwood’s sequel, The Testaments, begins. By the end of Season 3, June (Elisabeth Moss) was posed to become a rebel leader in the dystopia of Gilead. Season 4 saw her begin her revenge plan on Gilead after escaping to the haven of Canada.

Bruce Miller, the creator, and showrunner of The Handmaid’s Tale, talked to The Hollywood Reporter about the Season 5 renewal. “We’re very grateful to Hulu and MGM that the show will be returning for a fifth season, and especially to our loyal fans for their support,” he said. “We are thrilled to be able to continue to tell these stories with our incredible cast and crew and can’t wait to be back on the air with season four next year.”

Here are all the details fans need to know about Season 5 of the series.

The Handmaid’s Tale Season 5 Trailer

The first trailer for The Handmaid’s Tale Season 5 arrived on July 14, 2022. Set to a dirge version of Christina Aguilera’s “Fighter,” the trailer gave fans yet another look at a part of life in Gilead not seen before: a funeral.

Fred Waterford may be six feet under, but pregnant widow status gives Serena Joy something she’s craved since Gilead rose: freedom. It looks like she’s planning to use it to take down June as her arch-enemy.

The second trailer, which Hulu released on Aug. 24, puts June and Serena’s conflict front and center, teasing that Season 5 will be all about the two women duking it out. And yes, that means June is planning a trip back into Gilead to truly get her revenge.

The Handmaid’s Tale Season 5 Cast

In addition to Moss, the Handmaid’s Tale series cast includes Joseph Fiennes, Yvonne Strahovski, Samira Wiley, Alexis Bledel, Ann Dowd, Max Minghella, Madeline Brewer, O-T Fagbenle, Amanda Brugel, Bradley Whitford, and Sam Jaeger. These actors are all expected to return in Season 5, with one major exception.

On Friday, May 27, Bledel confirmed she would not be returning as the escaped handmaid Emily in the fifth season. “After much thought, I felt I had to step away from The Handmaid’s Tale at this time,” Bledel said in a statement to Variety. “I am forever grateful to Bruce Miller for writing such truthful and resonant scenes for Emily, and to Hulu, MGM, the cast and crew for their support.”

The Handmaid’s Tale Season 5 Plot

Hulu’s synopsis for the upcoming season teases an all-out battle between June’s allies in Canada and Gilead’s growing power:

June faces consequences for killing Commander Waterford while struggling to redefine her identity and purpose. The widowed Serena attempts to raise her profile in Toronto as Gilead’s influence creeps into Canada. Commander Lawrence works with Aunt Lydia as he tries to reform Gilead and rise in power. June, Luke, and Moira fight Gilead from a distance as they continue their mission to save and reunite with Hannah.

The Handmaid’s Tale Season 5 Release Date

The Handmaid’s Tale Season 5 arrives on Hulu on Sept. 14, 2022, with two episodes. The show will follow a weekly release schedule with one episode a week arriving on Wednesdays.