Honestly, the wait for Gilead feels longer than the actual collapse of society. If you're wondering when does Handmaid's Tale air, you aren't alone. It’s been ages. We last saw June Osborne standing on that bridge, and since then, the silence from Hulu has been deafening.
Things are finally moving. Finally.
Production is currently underway in Toronto. We know that Elisabeth Moss is back in the director's chair for a few episodes. But if you’re looking for a weekly time slot on your DVR right now, you’re going to be disappointed. The show isn't on the air this second. It’s coming, though. The final season—Season 6—is officially slated for a 2025 release. Most industry insiders are pointing toward a spring or summer window.
The Long Road to Season 6
The strikes changed everything. You remember the dual WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes of 2023? They hit the streaming giants hard. The Handmaid’s Tale was right in the crosshairs. Writing was paused. Pre-production stalled. For a show that relies so heavily on bleak, wintry Canadian landscapes, losing that filming window meant pushing the whole schedule back by a year.
It sucks. It really does.
Usually, Hulu likes a fall release. Season 5 dropped in September 2022. But because cameras didn't start rolling until summer 2024, the math doesn't add up for a 2024 return. We are looking at a 2025 premiere. When it does eventually land, it’ll likely stick to its classic rollout: two episodes on premiere night followed by a weekly Wednesday drop at 12:00 AM ET.
Why the wait matters for the story
This isn't just another season. It’s the end. Bruce Miller, the long-time showrunner, actually stepped down from the top spot to focus on the spin-off, The Testaments. Eric Tuchman and Yahlin Chang are taking the lead for this final run.
💡 You might also like: Garcelle Beauvais RHOBH Exit Reunion Drama: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
That shift in leadership takes time. You can't just slap together the ending of a cultural phenomenon. They have to stick the landing. If they don't, fans will never forgive them. Remember Game of Thrones? Exactly.
Where to watch while you wait
If you’re trying to find where Handmaid's Tale airs for a rewatch, it’s pretty straightforward in the States.
Hulu is the exclusive home.
- Sign in to your Hulu account (or Disney+ bundle).
- Search for "The Handmaid's Tale."
- Every single episode from Season 1 through Season 5 is there.
Outside the US, it’s a bit of a gamble. In the UK, it usually hits Channel 4 first before migrating to Disney+. In Canada, it’s all about CTV Drama and Crave.
What happened last time?
Let’s refresh. Season 5 ended with June and Serena Joy—of all people—stuck on a train together heading West. It was a massive cliffhanger. No more Canada. No more safety. Just two enemies turned "allies" by circumstance, fleeing a rising tide of American-flavored fascism.
What we know about the final episodes
The cast is mostly intact. We’re getting Elisabeth Moss (June), Yvonne Strahovski (Serena), Ann Dowd (Aunt Lydia), and O-T Fagbenle (Luke). We also know that Alexis Bledel (Emily) won't be returning after her exit in Season 5.
👉 See also: Quiénes forman el Buena Vista Social Club: La verdadera historia detrás de las leyendas cubanas
Expect total chaos.
The "New America" movement in Canada is growing. Gilead’s influence is spreading across the border. This season has to bridge the gap between June’s personal story and the events of Margaret Atwood’s sequel novel, The Testaments, which takes place about 15 years later.
Filming updates
Toronto residents have been spotting those iconic red robes again. They’ve been filming in various locations around Ontario. The weather plays a huge role in the "vibe" of the show. If they want that oppressive, grey, chilly Gilead atmosphere, they need the Canadian shoulder seasons.
Is there a trailer yet?
No. Not a real one.
You’ll see "Concept Trailers" on YouTube that look incredibly convincing. Ignore them. They are just recycled clips from previous seasons mixed with some AI-generated voiceovers. Hulu usually drops the first real teaser about three to four months before the premiere date. If we are looking at a Spring 2025 release, expect a trailer around January 2025.
Preparing for the series finale
The question of when does Handmaid's Tale air is really a question of how much time we have left with these characters. It's been a long, harrowing journey since 2017.
When the show finally returns to its weekly schedule, you’ll want to be ready. This isn't "background noise" television. It’s dense. It’s loud. It’s often very hard to watch.
📖 Related: A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole: Why This Weird Masterpiece Almost Never Existed
Actionable steps for fans
- Audit your subscriptions: If you cancelled Hulu during the off-season, wait until the premiere date is firm before resubscribing. There’s no point in paying for months of dead air.
- The Rewatch Strategy: There are 56 episodes currently available. If you watch two episodes a week starting now, you’ll finish just in time for the Season 6 premiere in 2025.
- Read the Source Material: If you haven't read The Testaments yet, do it. It provides the roadmap for where Aunt Lydia and Hannah (Agnes) are going. It might even spoil some of the show's ending, but it helps make sense of the world-building.
- Check Official Socials: Follow the official Handmaid's on Hulu Instagram or X (Twitter) accounts. They are the only ones who will give you the actual date. Everything else is just speculation.
The countdown is on, even if the clock is ticking slowly. Prepare for one last trip to Gilead, because once it starts airing, there's no turning back.