Season Five

Premiered September 14, 2022, on Hulu.

Season Five of The Handmaid's Tale premiered on September 14, 2022, serving as the fifth installment in the series created by Bruce Miller. Based on Margaret Atwood's 1985 novel, this season continued the story of the dystopian future following a Second American Civil War where fertile women are subjected to child-bearing slavery. As part of the ensemble cast led by Elisabeth Moss, this run aired alongside other key stars including Joseph Fiennes, Yvonne Strahovski, and Bradley Whitford. The season was announced in December 2020, ahead of the fourth season premiere, as Hulu renewed the series for a fifth year.

Quick Facts

Key antagonists

Serena Joy Waterford
The Eyes
Commander Putnam

Lore & Background

Season Five is part of a series that began on April 26, 2017, and has been renewed for a sixth season, so the series is not a five-season run ending on November 9, 2022. This season exists within the timeline where the theonomic, totalitarian society of Gilead subjects Handmaids to slavery. The narrative continues to follow the ensemble cast led by Elisabeth Moss as they navigate the consequences of the Second American Civil War. Season Six has not yet aired, so the total episode count and series end date are not confirmed.

Reader's Guide

Viewers can access Season Five by noting its premiere date of September 14, 2022. It is one of the seasons included in the total run of 66 episodes. The series was renewed for this season in December 2020, well before its broadcast. For those tracking the chronological order, it follows Season Four (which premiered April 27, 2021) and precedes the final sixth season announced in September 2022.

Did You Know?

As of the end of Season Five, the series has 56 episodes across five seasons; Season Six has not yet aired.
Elisabeth Moss leads the ensemble cast as June Osborne.