Yvonne Strahovski, who portrays the complex and often ruthless Serena in “The Handmaid’s Tale,” recently revisited some of her character’s early, cruel moments. During a panel event, Strahovski was shown clips of Serena’s harsh treatment of June, played by Elisabeth Moss. Reflecting on these scenes was an unsettling experience for her. “I was dying. I wanted to vomit! It was horrible,” she revealed, describing the jarring experience of reliving those moments.
Fans of “The Handmaid’s Tale” might empathize with this sentiment. For 56 episodes, they’ve followed the harrowing journey through Gilead’s oppressive regime, witnessing rapes, executions, torture, and numerous other grim events. Based on Margaret Atwood’s dystopian novel, the series has captivated audiences with its stark portrayal of a world where women are treated as property.
The creators of the show recognize the intense emotional toll this journey has had on viewers. As they work on the sixth and final season, they promise a change in tone. While maintaining the essence of Gilead, as articulated by Bradley Whitford’s character Commander Lawrence, the show aims to be more fast-paced and offer moments of redemption and catharsis, making it more rewarding for longtime viewers. Surprisingly, there could even be moments of humor.
Elisabeth Moss, who not only stars but also directs several episodes this season, notes that around season four or five, the creators sought to move away from unrelenting darkness. Moss clarifies, “We wouldn’t be ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ without dark moments. But we wanted to bring in more lightness and levity.” Whitford’s clever portrayal of Commander Lawrence adds to this with his witty remarks, contributing a lighter tone.
Eric Tuchman, the showrunner alongside Yahlin Chang, acknowledges that the slower pacing of previous seasons had become challenging for viewers and writers alike. This final season aims to pick up the pace, making the narrative feel more urgent and propulsive, according to Tuchman. Chang emphasizes, “This is the last chance we get to tell these stories,” highlighting the urgency to effectively conclude the characters’ arcs.
The upcoming season delves deeper into character development, requiring them to take definitive moral stances. As Moss observes, “At a certain point, you have to choose.” However, June has always been a symbol of morality in the show, even if her frequent returns to Gilead puzzled many viewers.
The last season left viewers with a cliffhanger, as June fled Toronto with her baby, Nichole, only to discover Serena onboard with her own child. Despite unresolved spoilers, the relationship between June and Serena remains tense.
Strahovski remains uncertain if Serena can be wholly redeemed, despite her character’s recent softer decisions. Meanwhile, Aunt Lydia, a character synonymous with terror among handmaids, begins to show signs of transformation. Ann Dowd, who plays Lydia, attributes this change to love, especially for her favorite handmaid, Janine.
Strahovski reflects on how the role has pushed her as an actress, calling it a transformative experience. Similarly, Moss comments on her growth, embracing new roles as director and producer. “I love acting, but I needed more to sink my teeth into,” she shares.
Since the show’s 2017 debut, real-world events have continued to echo its themes. The #MeToo movement and the overturning of Roe v. Wade find parallel discussions in the series. Showrunner Chang and Whitford both acknowledge these influences, asserting the story’s ongoing relevance and the importance of resistance narratives.
Moss concludes by emphasizing the enduring significance of Atwood’s story. “There’s never a time when this material isn’t relevant,” she states, underscoring the timeless and impactful nature of the narrative. Whether intentional or coincidental, the alignment with current events reminds audiences of the show’s poignant truth-telling.