The Handmaid's Tale Series Finale: 5 Shocking Endings And What June Osborne Did Next

The long, harrowing journey of June Osborne and the fight against Gilead finally reached its conclusion with the series finale of The Handmaid's Tale, a monumental episode that aired earlier this year. As of today, Thursday, December 18, 2025, fans are still reeling from the final, ambiguous moments of the show, which saw June take one last, symbolic walk, leaving the door open for both closure and the future spin-off series, The Testaments. The final season, Season 6, delivered a brutal and necessary end to the main story, providing a definitive, yet complex, answer to the question of whether June would ever truly be free.

The final episode, S06E10, titled "Epilogue," wrapped up the major storylines that dominated the final season, including the fate of Commander Lawrence's New Bethlehem, the moral reckoning of Aunt Lydia, and the tense, dangerous reunion between June and Serena Joy Waterford. The finale was a masterclass in emotional payoff, balancing the brutal realities of the dystopian world with glimmers of hope and a clear path forward for the resistance. This deep dive into the last episode breaks down the character resolutions, the political upheaval, and the lasting legacy of the Hulu series.

Cast and Crew: Key Profiles in The Handmaid's Tale Series Finale

The final season saw the return of the core cast, whose Emmy-winning performances brought Margaret Atwood's dystopian vision to life. The series finale hinged on the actions and decisions of these central figures. Here is a brief profile of the main cast and the showrunner who guided the series to its conclusion:

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• Elisabeth Moss (June Osborne / Offred / Ofjoseph): Born July 24, 1982, Moss is an American actress, director, and producer. She won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress for her portrayal of June Osborne. Her career is also noted for roles in The West Wing and Mad Men. Moss directed several key episodes throughout the series, including some in the final season.
• Yvonne Strahovski (Serena Joy Waterford): Born Yvonne Strzechowski on July 30, 1982, she is an Australian actress. She is known for her dramatic television roles, including the spy comedy-drama Chuck and the crime series Dexter. Her character, the infertile wife of a Commander, experienced one of the most complex and controversial arcs, ending the series as a refugee.
• Bradley Whitford (Commander Joseph Lawrence): Born October 10, 1959, Whitford is an American actor and producer, also known for his role as Josh Lyman on The West Wing. As the architect of Gilead's economy and the "New Bethlehem" concept, his character's final actions in the series finale were pivotal to the future of the nation.
• Ann Dowd (Aunt Lydia Clements): Dowd is an American actress who won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress for her portrayal of the brutal yet conflicted Aunt Lydia. Her character's journey of reckoning and her eventual role in the resistance—a key element setting up The Testaments—was a major focus of Season 6.
• O-T Fagbenle (Luke Bankole): A British actor, writer, and director, Fagbenle played Luke, June’s husband. His storyline in the final season focused on his unwavering mission to rescue his daughter, Hannah, and his ultimate plan to liberate territories from Gilead state by state.
• Bruce Miller (Showrunner and Creator): An American television writer and producer, Miller is best known for creating and showrunning The Handmaid's Tale. He won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series in 2017. Miller guided the series from its original source material by Margaret Atwood to its final, definitive conclusion.

The Five Major Resolutions of the Series Finale (S06E10)

The final episode, "Epilogue," didn't offer a clean, happy ending, but rather a series of hard-won resolutions and ambiguous new beginnings. The finale provided closure for many of the show's most burning questions, while strategically setting the stage for the next chapter of the story world.

1. The Battle for Boston and the Fall of Gilead's Capital

One of the most satisfying plot points for long-time viewers was the confirmation that the rebellion had successfully reclaimed Boston. This victory, though localized, was a massive symbolic and strategic blow to the Republic of Gilead. The final season showed the resistance—including the Angels and the Mayday network—working in concert with international forces. While the series finale confirmed that Gilead was not entirely defeated, the liberation of its major eastern city was a turning point, signaling that the fight was far from over, but the tide had officially turned. This shift in power was the direct result of the groundwork laid by June and Moira in previous seasons.

2. June Osborne’s Final Walk and Ambiguous Freedom

June's journey has always been about survival, resistance, and the quest for her daughter, Hannah. The final moments of the series saw June take a long, symbolic walk, which led her back to the ruins of the Waterford’s old home—the place where her torment as Offred began. She was seen wearing teal, a color symbolizing both Handmaids and Wives, suggesting a reclamation of her identity beyond Gilead’s labels. The ending is intentionally ambiguous: while she is physically free in Canada, her psychological battle with the trauma of Gilead—and her need for vengeance—remains unresolved. The emotional weight of the finale rested on June accepting that her fight would never truly end, but her freedom was a choice she had to make daily.

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3. Serena Joy Waterford: From Wife to Official Refugee

Serena Joy Waterford, whose actions led to her becoming an official refugee in the penultimate episode, faced a surprising fate in the finale. Having given up the location of several Commanders, she was forced to reckon with the collapse of the society she helped create. Her storyline in Season 6 centered on her attempts to reform Gilead from the outside and her tense encounter with June and baby Noah. The finale cemented her status as an outcast, stripped of her power and title, yet still determined to survive. Her ultimate fate, living outside the walls of Gilead, is a stark contrast to her former life and a powerful statement on the consequences of her ideological fervor.

4. The Future of Gilead: New Bethlehem and Commander Lawrence's Reckoning

Commander Joseph Lawrence’s vision of New Bethlehem—a kind of "Gilead-light" where refugees could return under certain conditions—was a major political entity in Season 6. The finale showed Lawrence and Aunt Lydia grappling with the monstrous results of their creation. Aunt Lydia, having reclaimed her humanity, made the decision to return young Charlotte to her mother, Naomi Lawrence, to keep the girl out of the warzone, signaling a moral break from the regime. Lawrence, meanwhile, faced challenging tests of character as he tried to manage the political fallout of the rebellion, ultimately positioning himself as a conflicted figure vital to the potential transition of power.

5. Luke’s Unwavering Mission and Janine's Freedom

Luke Bankole’s arc in the final season was defined by his commitment to his daughter Hannah and his belief in a larger, territorial war. His plan, revealed in the finale, was to liberate one state from Gilead at a time, a long-term, strategic approach to dismantling the theocracy. Furthermore, the finale provided a moment of pure relief with the freeing of Janine. Her reunion with her friends and her continued role in the resistance movement solidified her as a symbol of hope and resilience, proving that even the most broken characters could find a path to recovery and continued purpose.

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The Handmaid's Tale Legacy and The Testaments Spin-off

The series finale of The Handmaid's Tale is not the end of the story world, but rather a bridge to the future. The show has left an indelible mark on television, winning numerous awards and becoming a crucial piece of social commentary on themes of reproductive rights, totalitarianism, and female autonomy.

The show's legacy is tied directly to its source material, the 1985 novel by Margaret Atwood, and its sequel, The Testaments. Hulu is actively developing the spin-off series, which will be based on Atwood's 2019 novel and is set 15 years after the events of the original book. The final season of The Handmaid's Tale, particularly the character arcs of Aunt Lydia and Hannah, laid the essential groundwork for this continuation. The final episode, by leaving June’s future open but her mission clear, ensures that the world of Gilead—and the fight against it—will continue to resonate with audiences for years to come.