When to Expect the Next Season of 'The Handmaid's Tale'

The Season 3 finale of The Handmaid's Tale was very intense with a lot of action. Hopefully, it was enough to last fans for a while because the return of the series will not happen anytime soon.

The upcoming episodes have not been written yet. Therefore, the shocking events of the finale of Season 3 will have to last viewers for a long time before the series continues next year.

Season 3 Finale

Even though there were some dramatic scenes in the finale, there are loose ends still hanging in Gilead and in Canada.

June, played by Elisabeth Moss, managed to spearhead an operation to smuggle more than 52 children out of Gilead and into Canada. The children were welcomed at the airport by June's friend Moira, played by Samira Wiley, and Luke, played by June's husband O-T Fagbenle.

It wasn't an easy task, and June put her own life on the line to do so. If her action was a déjà vu experience for you, it is because she could have left at least four times before. Cosmopolitan reminds viewers of those times.

1. June did not leave with Emily and baby Nichole in the Season 2 finale. Even though she could have left, she let the truck drive away without her. Fans were disappointed that she did not leave.
2. She declined when Commander Lawrence gave her the chance to catch up with Emily and Nichole and cross the border.
3. June could have tried to make a deal for herself when she was negotiating with the Swiss for Nichole's safety, but she did not entertain the idea.
4. June's situation became more serious in the Season 3 finale because she suffered a gunshot wound after she chose not to escape with the children to Canada.

It is very interesting that while June helped the children and others escape, she and Hannah didn't. The disappointment showed on Luke's face as he looked up at the airplane door during the finale of Season 3 and saw neither his daughter nor wife exit.

Season 4

Even though the return of The Handmaid's Tale is a long way off, there are a few things the series creator Bruce Miller has shared with TV Guide. He jokingly said he asked the same question, "What next?", that devoted fans asked at the end of Season 3. He added that the writers returned to the writing table on August 12, the week of the finale. According to Miller, the writers definitely have their jobs cut out for them when they begin to tie up some loose ends and introduce new stories in Season 4.

The popular Hulu series was renewed for the next season weeks before Season 3 ended. Therefore, fans can rest assured that it will return. However, there was no official release date included in the renewal news. If Hulu follows its usual schedule, the new season will not begin before the spring or early summer of 2020, probably in April or June. That's almost a year away.

Speculations for Season 4

While fans wait for the return of The Handmaid's Tale, there are some things that have been speculated.

June is the protagonist and main character in the series. Therefore, she probably survived her gunshot wound and is still alive. What would the series be like without her? Besides, she is needed on the show to face the consequences of her actions. Miller says what happens to June will be as realistic as possible for this dystopian series.

The exit of the children has to be dealt with. Viewers will see how Gilead will deal with the absence of so many children at once. After all, children are very important in the series where low fertility exists in Gilead.

Commander Lawrence, played by Bradley Whitford, changed his mind at the last minute and did not go along with the children to Canada. Miller told TV Guide that Commander Lawrence will be back in Season 4 to deal with his involvement in the escape.

The writers admit that the plans they had for Nick, played by Max Minghella, were not developed in Season 3 because so many other things were going on. Some of his scenes were cut from the episodes, according to Miller. Therefore, they owe it to Nick to tell his backstory in Season 4. That should be something exciting to look forward to.

Trouble for the Waterfords has just begun. The husband and wife will be on trial in Season 4. Fred, played by Joseph Fiennes, and his wife Serena Joy, played by Yvonne Strahovski, are facing war crimes. Serena has an additional problem because of her shady deal concerning baby Nichole.

Miller admits he himself doesn't know the path the writers will take to write Season 4, but he did hint that "all hell will break loose."

Catch Up!

If you missed any episodes from Season 1-3 or if you just want to watch them again, you have plenty of time to do so before Season 4 begins next year. The Handmaid's Tale is currently streaming on Hulu.