Summary

• The Handmaid's Tale season 6 is set to start filming in 2024 after industry strikes and possible delays due to Elizabeth Moss's maternity leave.
• McKenna Grace hints at her character Esther's uncertain fate in the final season, expressing excitement and fear.
• Key characters like June, Serena, Luke, and Janine face dramatic developments in season 6, setting the stage for a riveting final season.

The Handmaid's Tale star teases her character's story in season 6. Based on Margaret Atwood's 1985 novel of the same name, the dystopian series follows Elisabeth Moss as June Osborne, a woman forced into child-bearing slavery called Handmaids who, in season 5, escapes from the Gilead and is on the run. Other than Moss, The Handmaid's Tale cast includes Yvonne Strahovski, O-T Fagbenle, Max Minghella, Samira Wiley, Bradley Whitford, Ann Dowd, Sam Jaeger, Amanda Brugel, and Madeline Brewer.

During an exclusive interview with Screen Rant for the Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire home release, Mckenna Grace teased Esther's story in The Handmaid's Tale season 6. The actress, who plays the teenage wife of the elderly Commander Keyes, is "terrified" about what will happen to her character in the final season, though she has "no idea" what's in store. She also hopes they will "shoot the final season sometime soon." Read her full comments below:

I'm actually terrified. I won't even lie to you. I have no idea… I'm hoping that we'll shoot the final season sometime soon. Between all the strikes, and COVID, and everything that's been happening… and then Lizzie Moss had a baby, which is crazy [and] so exciting.

I'm hoping that we'll finally get to shoot the final season, but I have no idea what they're going to make me do. I'm game--whatever they tell me, I'll do it and I'm game—but I am a little terrified. With that show, you never know. You truly never know what's going to happen. I'm excited to see what Esther's up to this season.

What To Expect From The Handmaid's Tale Season 6

Cast, Story, & More

Like much of Hollywood, the dystopian drama faced delays due to the dual WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes that shut down much of the industry in 2023. With those strikes settled, Elizabeth Moss recently revealed that The Handmaid's Tale season 6 will start filming in the summer of 2024. However, it's unclear if the final season will face further delays due to Moss' maternity leave, as Grace alludes to. Since season 6 hasn't even started filming yet, there will be a long wait for new episodes.

Once season 6 starts filming, most of the main cast are expected to return. With the expectation of Alexis Bledel's departure as Emily Malek, the cast has remained fairly consistent over the years. However, considering that Emily returned to the Gilead, the character's return to the show has not been completely ruled out. Otherwise, season 6 will see Moss reprising her role as June after receiving an Emmy nomination for her performance in season 5. Other cast members and characters expected to return include:

In terms of season 6's story, The Handmaid's Tale season 5 ending saw June unexpectedly encountering Serena on a train leaving Toronto, setting up a pivotal moment for the final season. The reunion hints at a renewed dynamic, possibly leading to collaboration against the Gilead and its growing influence in Canada. Luke's arrest also promises a dramatic shift similar to season 1's premise, likely placing him at the center of the conflict, while Nick's unwavering devotion to June foreshadows a significant sacrifice, and Janine's capture by the Eyes hints at dark consequences, setting the stage for a dramatic final season.

The Handmaid's Tale is streaming on Hulu.