The Handmaid’s Tale, once a cultural landmark and the first streaming series to win the Emmy for Outstanding Drama, has officially come to an end after six intense seasons. But while its start was powerful and timely, its later seasons left many fans asking — what happened?
The Start of Something Powerful
When the show first aired in 2017, it struck a chord. The political climate had just shifted with Donald Trump taking office, and the #MeToo movement was gaining ground. The story, based on Margaret Atwood’s 1985 novel, imagined a terrifying world where a religious dictatorship called Gilead takes over America after a civil war and fertility crisis.
In Gilead, women lose all rights. Some are turned into “handmaids” — fertile women forced to bear children for elite men and their wives. The show’s first season was praised for its storytelling, powerful performances (especially Elisabeth Moss as June), and chilling visuals. The red cloaks and white bonnets quickly became symbols in real-world protests against women’s oppression.
According to pop culture expert Dr. Lauren Rosewarne, the show connected so deeply because it reflected many women’s real fears. Horror media expert Dr. Erin Harrington added that the show’s smart use of music, colors, and camera angles made Gilead’s cruelty feel all too real.
Watched 6 seasons of Handmaid’s Tale just for the song of the revolution to be that… I honestly can’t say I’m surprised pic.twitter.com/CZlODmdhIn
— DD (@exoomfwb) May 21, 2025
When Things Changed
But after season two, the show went beyond the book and started creating its own storylines. That’s when things began to lose direction. June kept escaping Gilead only to return again and again. Her choices became harder to understand, and the plot felt stuck.
Characters like Serena Joy (played by Yvonne Strahovski) would evolve only to regress back into old habits. Some critics said the show began to glorify violence rather than challenge it. One scene in season six even used a Taylor Swift song during a violent attack — a choice some called “shallow feminism.”
Dr. Harrington pointed out that the show started to focus more on being edgy than meaningful. And Rosewarne added that as real-world politics became more extreme — with Trump’s re-election and the overturning of Roe v. Wade — Gilead started to feel less fictional and more like a warning come true.
The Audience Started to Tune Out
As the seasons dragged on, many viewers dropped off. Ratings declined. Even actor Samira Wiley, who played Moira, admitted she didn’t return for the spin-off because she was “done with the trauma.”
Critics say that by trying to stretch the story over six seasons, the show lost the power it once held. Instead of adapting with the times, it doubled down on its darker themes — and wore out its welcome.
What Comes Next?
Even though The Handmaid’s Tale has ended, the story isn’t completely over. A spin-off based on Atwood’s 2019 sequel, The Testaments, is already in the works.
But what will the legacy of The Handmaid’s Tale be?
The show’s red costume has become a lasting symbol for women’s rights protests around the world. And for a while, the series truly captured the anger, fear, and resilience of women in a changing world.
Dr. Rosewarne isn’t sure whether the show will be remembered as a powerful feminist statement or just another dark drama. Dr. Harrington believes people will look back fondly on the first few seasons — but probably not the final ones.
While The Handmaid's Tale has come to an end, its early seasons will likely stay as a strong reminder of how stories can reflect real fears and struggles. The upcoming spin-off, The Testaments, may offer a new chapter for fans and critics alike.
