Elisabeth Moss Takes Center Stage in the Final Chapter of ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’: A Journey of Resilience and Defiance
This story contains spoilers from the three-episode season six premiere of The Handmaid’s Tale, “Train,” “Exile,” and “Devotion.”
After portraying the iconic character June Osborne for five seasons in The Handmaid’s Tale, Elisabeth Moss embraced motherhood herself. During the filming hiatus between seasons five and six, she welcomed her first child. When it was time to return to the role for the final season, Moss brought her baby to the show’s Toronto set.
The premiere episode of the sixth and final season, titled “Train,” continues to chronicle June’s perilous quest for safety. This includes her courageous act of defending Serena (Yvonne Strahovski) from vengeful Gilead refugees aboard a moving train. Upon reaching Alaska, June finds herself alone, having lost her only companion when Serena was forced to jump from the train to protect herself and her infant son. Now, it is just June and her baby daughter, Nichole, until she hears a familiar voice calling her name.
June’s mother, Holly (Cherry Jones), who was believed to be dead, is there as a volunteer to welcome the refugee arrivals. The episode concludes with a heartfelt reunion between June and her mother, a much-needed victory for both the character and the audience who have been invested in June’s journey throughout the show’s eight-year run. This moment carried even greater significance for Moss, who directed the scene, experiencing it as a first-time mother herself.
“It was incredibly meaningful to be able to end this show as a mom,” Moss reflects in a conversation. “I realized the importance of it as I saw various moments in the show unfold. In the opening scene of episode one, June is on the train holding a baby. Then, at the end of episode one, she reunites with her mother. I’m grateful to have this last season where I could bring a more visceral emotional experience to the themes June is grappling with.”
In this final season, June continues her fight for what has motivated her since the series began—reclaiming her oldest daughter, Hannah (Jordana Blake), who was taken and indoctrinated into Gilead’s regime. With just seven episodes remaining to conclude June’s story before the narrative shifts to the follow-up series, Moss emphasizes that each scene in the final season holds significance and that every character will receive a meaningful resolution.
In her conversation, Moss shares insights into the development of this final season, including feedback from Hulu and MGM on ensuring the story progresses with each episode. She expresses June’s relentless determination to reclaim her daughter: “It’s constant in June’s life and always will be until it’s over.”
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Reflecting on the decision to make season six the final season, co-showrunner Yahlin Chang noted that discussions with creator Bruce Miller occurred before the season five writers’ room began. Moss recalls that there were moments when they considered ending the series after season five but ultimately felt there was still much more to explore, not just with June but with the entire cast of characters.
“I think at one point we were contemplating season five being the end,” Moss explains. “But as we delved deeper, we realized there was still so much story left to tell. It didn’t feel right to wrap it all up in five seasons.”
Moss humorously adds, “I was one of the few who suggested, ‘Why not have a seventh season?’ But I was met with silence!”
Miller has always maintained a clear vision for the show’s ending, and while some details shifted over time, they remained true to the core narrative. After the delays caused by real-world events, Moss and the team focused on crafting a compelling final season that would resonate with viewers.
“We aimed to ensure that every episode pushed the story forward,” she states. “We can’t afford to include scenes that aren’t necessary. Each scene has to earn its place in the narrative, and we’ve improved at making thoughtful decisions about what stays or goes.”
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The premiere episode culminates in a joyful reunion between June and her mother, Holly. Moss directed this episode and shared that her own experience of becoming a mother added a layer of emotional depth to the scene and the season as a whole.
“Ending this show as a mom was incredibly meaningful,” she says. “Playing a character who is an iconic mother figure, I felt this profound connection. It wasn’t planned, but there was this beautiful synergy between my real-life experiences and the story.”
June’s motherhood is a recurring theme throughout the season. Despite moments of hope, the reality that her daughter remains in Gilead looms large: “Hannah is still there.”
Moss acknowledges the importance of keeping that reality at the forefront of June’s journey, emphasizing that her fight for Hannah will never wane.
“It’s crucial to show that even in moments of victory, June’s drive to protect her daughter remains unyielding,” she asserts.
The dynamic between June and her husband, Luke (O-T Fagbenle), evolves as well, as they both share the desire to confront Gilead together. Moss elaborates on June’s unwavering belief that she must fight for Hannah, refusing to accept a world where she cannot retrieve her daughter.
“I don’t think she’ll ever accept that reality,” Moss states. “There are moments she contemplates other paths, but she’s constantly reminded that she must keep fighting.”
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In the third episode, June and Nick (Max Minghella) share a poignant “see you later” moment, signaling a shift in their relationship. Moss describes their interactions as an opportunity to acknowledge their history of farewells while allowing for character growth.
“We wanted to explore the idea of them recognizing their patterns,” she explains. “We aimed to add a layer of self-awareness to their relationship, giving both the characters and the audience something fun to engage with.”
This season emphasizes character progression, as no character remains in the same place by the end of the series. Moss highlights the transformative arcs for all characters, underscoring the extremes they experience.
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The Handmaid’s Tale is now streaming the first three episodes of its sixth season, with new episodes released weekly.
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