The Handmaid's Tale Cast: Where Are The Stars Now And Who Is Returning For The Final Season?

As of December 2025, the world is eagerly anticipating the final season of the critically acclaimed Hulu series, *The Handmaid’s Tale*. The show, based on Margaret Atwood's dystopian novel, is preparing to conclude the harrowing journey of June Osborne and the other survivors of Gilead, bringing back its core ensemble cast for one last, intense chapter.

The sixth and final season promises to tie up the complex threads woven throughout the series, especially the escalating conflict between June and Serena Joy Waterford. This article provides the most current information on the main cast members, their roles, and a major update on the highly anticipated spin-off, *The Testaments*, which will continue the story beyond the main series.

The Handmaid's Tale Core Cast: Full Biography and Role

The immense success of *The Handmaid’s Tale* is largely due to its powerhouse ensemble cast, many of whom have earned Emmy and Golden Globe recognition for their work. Here is a look at the main actors who defined the Republic of Gilead and the resistance against it.

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• Elisabeth Moss (June Osborne / Offred / Ofjoseph)
  • Full Name: Elisabeth Singleton Moss
  • Born: July 24, 1982, in Los Angeles, California, USA.
  • Career Highlights: Known for iconic roles in *The West Wing*, *Mad Men*, and *Top of the Lake*. She won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series and a Golden Globe for her portrayal of June Osborne. Moss has also served as a director and executive producer on *The Handmaid's Tale*.
  • Role in Gilead: The central protagonist, a Handmaid who becomes the face of the resistance, initially known as Offred, then Offjoseph, and ultimately June Osborne, a refugee and revolutionary.
• Yvonne Strahovski (Serena Joy Waterford)
  • Full Name: Yvonne Jaqueline Strzechowski
  • Born: July 30, 1982, in Werrington Downs, New South Wales, Australia.
  • Career Highlights: Gained recognition as Agent Sarah Walker in the series *Chuck* and Hannah McKay in *Dexter*. She has received multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for her chilling performance as Serena Joy.
  • Role in Gilead: A former cultural icon and Wife, she is the architect of Gilead’s oppressive social structure and the complicated nemesis of June Osborne.
• Joseph Fiennes (Commander Fred Waterford)
  • Full Name: Joseph Alberic Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes
  • Born: May 27, 1970, in Salisbury, Wiltshire, England.
  • Career Highlights: A renowned English actor known for lead roles in films like *Shakespeare in Love* and *Enemy at the Gates*. He was nominated for an Emmy for his portrayal of the tyrannical Commander Waterford.
  • Role in Gilead: A high-ranking Commander and one of the founders of Gilead, whose actions catalyzed June's suffering and eventual rebellion. (Note: While the character died in Season 4, his presence is vital to the story's history and the cast's legacy.)
• Ann Dowd (Aunt Lydia)
  • Full Name: Ann Dowd
  • Born: January 30, 1956, in Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA.
  • Career Highlights: A highly respected character actress who won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Aunt Lydia. She is also acclaimed for her work in *Compliance* and *Mass*.
  • Role in Gilead: The chief instructor and enforcer of the Handmaids, a complex figure who is both cruel and, in her own twisted way, protective of her girls.

The Handmaid’s Tale Cast: What They Are Doing Now in 2025

With the main series concluding, the talented cast members have already begun to pivot to new and exciting projects. Many of these projects are either currently airing or slated for release in 2025, demonstrating the fresh career trajectories of the stars beyond Gilead.

Elisabeth Moss and Max Minghella’s Reunion

In a fascinating post-Gilead collaboration, Elisabeth Moss (June Osborne) and Max Minghella (Nick Blaine) reunited for the 2024 black comedy body horror film, *Shell*. Minghella, who plays the mysterious Commander Nick on the show, directed the film, with Moss starring alongside Kate Hudson. This project highlights the creative bonds formed on the set of *The Handmaid’s Tale* and Moss's continued work in the thriller genre.

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O-T Fagbenle’s High-Profile Projects

O-T Fagbenle, who plays June’s husband Luke Bankole, is set to appear in two significant upcoming projects. He has a role in the highly anticipated 2024 series *Presumed Innocent*. Furthermore, he is listed as a cast member in the 2025 movie *Splitsville*. Fagbenle’s career continues to expand across major streaming and film platforms.

Madeline Brewer and Samira Wiley on Stage and Screen

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Madeline Brewer (Janine Lindo) has been active on the stage, taking on the lead role of Audrey in the Off-Broadway revival of *Little Shop of Horrors*. She also appeared in the final season of the Netflix series *You*. Brewer is scheduled to appear in the 2025 movie *I Live Here Now*. Samira Wiley (Moira Strand), an Emmy winner for her role, recently participated in a 2024 anniversary reading of *The Laramie Project* Off-Broadway, showcasing her continued commitment to meaningful theatrical work.

The Testaments Spin-Off: A New Chapter and Cast Revealed

The biggest news for fans of the *Handmaid's Tale* universe is the confirmed development of the sequel series, *The Testaments*, also based on a novel by Margaret Atwood. This series will pick up the narrative years after the events of the main show, focusing on the future of Gilead through the eyes of three women, including a familiar face.

Ann Dowd Reprises Her Iconic Role

Ann Dowd is the only original cast member confirmed to return, reprising her Emmy-winning role as Aunt Lydia. Her character is a central figure in *The Testaments*, detailing her backstory and her complex role in the downfall of the totalitarian regime of Gilead. This provides a crucial narrative link between the two series.

Key New Cast Members in *The Testaments*

The spin-off introduces several new entities and characters, expanding the world of Gilead and the Canadian resistance. The confirmed new cast includes:

• Chase Infiniti as Agnes (June’s daughter, Hannah, raised in Gilead).
• Lucy Halliday as Daisy (June’s other daughter, Nichole, raised in Canada).
• Rowan Blanchard as Shunammite.
• Mattea Conforti as Becka.
• Mabel Li as Aunt Vidala.
• Zarrin Darnell-Martin as Aunt Gabbana.
• Eva Foote as Aunt Estee.

The focus on Agnes and Daisy, the two daughters of June Osborne, confirms that *The Testaments* will explore the long-term consequences of June's actions and the future of the children born under the oppressive regime. The inclusion of new Aunts like Aunt Vidala, Aunt Gabbana, and Aunt Estee, alongside Aunt Lydia, suggests a deep dive into the internal power structure of the Aunts and the infamous training centers.

The Handmaid's Tale: Key Characters and In-Universe Entities

Understanding the political and social structure of Gilead is essential to appreciating the cast's performances. The series is rich with specific terminology that defines the roles and status of every entity within the dystopia:

• Handmaids: Fertile women, like June Osborne, forced into ritualized sexual servitude for the purpose of procreation.
• Wives: The wives of the Commanders, such as Serena Joy. They run the household and oversee the Marthas and Handmaids.
• Commanders: The highest-ranking men in Gilead, the political, military, and religious leaders who hold all the power (e.g., Commander Lawrence, Commander Waterford).
• Aunts: The class of women responsible for training, indoctrinating, and policing the Handmaids (e.g., Aunt Lydia).
• Marthas: Domestic servants in the Commanders' households.
• Econowives: The wives of lower-ranking men, who must fulfill the roles of Wife, Martha, and Handmaid themselves.
• Unwomen: Women deemed infertile, rebellious, or otherwise unfit for Gilead society, often sent to the deadly Colonies to clean up toxic waste.
• The Ceremony: The monthly, non-consensual ritual of procreation involving the Commander, the Handmaid, and the Wife.
• Mayday: The secret resistance network working to bring down Gilead and help people escape to Canada.

The return of the main cast for the sixth season, coupled with the detailed new cast for *The Testaments*, ensures that the world of Margaret Atwood’s creation—and the fight against the oppressive state of Gilead—will continue to captivate audiences for years to come. The final season is set to be a powerful conclusion to June's story, while the spin-off promises a new, equally compelling look at the future of the resistance.