{"id":170728,"date":"2025-05-27T04:55:10","date_gmt":"2025-05-27T04:55:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/27\/handmaids-tale-series-finale-ending-explained-who-died-who-returned\/"},"modified":"2025-05-27T04:55:10","modified_gmt":"2025-05-27T04:55:10","slug":"handmaids-tale-series-finale-ending-explained-who-died-who-returned","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/27\/handmaids-tale-series-finale-ending-explained-who-died-who-returned\/","title":{"rendered":"Handmaid’s Tale Series Finale Ending Explained: Who Died? Who Returned?"},"content":{"rendered":"


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The series finale of The Handmaid\u2019s Tale<\/em> <\/a>included more character deaths and some surprising returns \u2014 but did the show end on a satisfying note<\/a>?<\/p>\n

During the Tuesday, May 27, finale, June (Elisabeth Moss<\/strong>) and the rest of the survivors of the resistance picked up the pieces after Gilead was defeated in several states. The entire episode is meant to mirror the pilot, where viewers were originally introduced to June\u2019s journey.<\/p>\n

As June reflected on how far she has come, those around her encouraged her not to bury the past but to, instead, embrace it. She was reminded that she had a story to tell, so by the end of the finale June had arrived at her old house.<\/p>\n

June walked around and started to set the scene, which sounded familiar<\/a> to those who read Margaret Atwood\u2019s novel.<\/p>\n

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\n Related: <\/span>Everything \u2018The Handmaid’s Tale\u2019 Cast Said About the Show Ending\u00a0<\/span><\/a>
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\n\t\t\tHulu After six seasons on Hulu, The Handmaid\u2019s Tale will be wrapping up the story in 2025. Based on Margaret Atwood\u2019s novel of the same name, The Handmaid\u2019s Tale takes place in a dystopian future where low fertility rates have led women to be assigned to men for bearing children. Elisabeth Moss, Yvonne Strahovski, Madeline [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cIt isn\u2019t running away they\u2019re afraid of. We wouldn\u2019t get far,\u201d she said in a voiceover. \u201cIt\u2019s those other escapes, the ones you can open in yourself, given a cutting edge.\u201d<\/p>\n

June\u2019s on screen narration brought the series full circle<\/a>, as it was the setup for Atwood\u2019s book of the same name, which followed a dystopian future where a second American Civil War resulted in a totalitarian society that subjected fertile women \u2014 a.k.a Handmaids \u2014 to forced childbirth so that wealthy couples could raise children.<\/p>\n

Before the series came to an end, coshowrunners Yahlin Chang<\/strong> and Eric Tuchman<\/strong> teased the vision<\/a> for the finale.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we can expect an honest conclusion to the story. We keep using the word honest because we try our best to be realistic,\u201d Tuchman noted exclusively to Us Weekly<\/em>. \u201cWhat would happen in real life \u2014 and what we hope people take away \u2014 is this feeling of hopefulness and resilience that June and many of the other characters have demonstrated and will demonstrate in the last couple of episodes.\u201d<\/p>\n

He continued: \u201cWhen you\u2019re up against an oppressive regime and when your rights are stripped away, you just never stop fighting. You keep going. Hopefully people will draw some optimism and feel empowered by what plays out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Keep scrolling for a breakdown of where every character\u2019s story ended:<\/p>\n

June<\/h3>\n
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\"June-Handmaids-Tale-176028_0053RT\"<\/div>
Disney\/Steve Wilkie<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The aftermath of the explosion left June figuring out her next steps<\/a>. She remained focused on reconnecting with her daughter Hannah, which based on flash forwards may actually happen. June also wanted to keep helping the resistance despite the risks.<\/p>\n

After speaking to several of her loved ones about her experience, June returned to her first home in Gilead where she recalled the events in the series premiere. She started to write a book about her experience, which brought the story full circle.<\/p>\n

Serena<\/h3>\n
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After helping June, Serena (Yvonne Strahovski<\/strong>) was personally left out of options. No place would allow her on their soil and she had no passport. With help from Mark \u2014 after a chemistry-filled conversation \u2014 Serena headed for a refugee camp. She apologized to June before she left, which June accepted. The last scene with Serena showed her struggling to find her new home but ultimately living happily with her son by her side.<\/p>\n

Emily<\/h3>\n
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Hulu \/ Courtesy: Everett Collection<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

June reunited with Emily (Alexis Bledel<\/strong>) as a parallel to the show\u2019s<\/a> first season. June and Emily walked along the water, but instead of seeing bodies hanging in the area they saw effigies of dead commanders and freedom graffiti.<\/p>\n

Emily offered an update on her life, which revolved around her going undercover to aid the resistance. It took a toll on Emily\u2019s marriage and relationship with her son, but she seemed certain things would improve with time.<\/p>\n

Janine<\/h3>\n
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Disney\/Steve Wilkie<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When the final episode picked up, Janine (Madeline Brewer<\/strong>) was missing after being taken amid the rebellion. She was returned \u2014 to June \u2014 but their reunion was short-lived because Janine\u2019s focus turned to her daughter. With help from Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd<\/strong>), Naomi (Ever Carradine)<\/strong> returned Charlotte to Janine.<\/p>\n

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