I’m shocked that The Handmaid’s Tale Season 6 still hasn’t provided any news about its most important missing character.
The Handmaid’s Tale is approaching the end of its sixth and final season, yet the fate of one key character remains a mystery. Adapted from the 1985 novel of the same name, the series has taken creative liberties, steering characters in directions that diverge from the original story. Season 1 introduced viewers to the harsh dystopian world of Gilead, where June and the other Handmaids struggle to survive and resist under brutal conditions. Over six seasons, the oppressed women of Gilead have indeed risen up, setting the stage for a dramatic conclusion.
By episode 8 of season 6, June has made her way back to Gilead, gearing up for a final act of vengeance. At Serena Joy and Wharton’s wedding, the Handmaids execute a plan involving a special cake that puts the guests to sleep, allowing them to escape. While some events in season 6 have been long anticipated and others surprising, one significant storyline remains untouched: the whereabouts of an important character.
What Happened to Emily and Why Alexis Bledel Left The Handmaid’s Tale
Bledel Chose to Step Away
In 2022, Alexis Bledel announced her departure from The Handmaid’s Tale after season 4. Her character, Emily, had been a crucial presence since the show’s beginning and one of June’s closest allies. Emily played a pivotal role in the death of Fred Waterford in the season 4 finale, with her story left open-ended, hinting she would continue to be central in future seasons. Naturally, many fans were surprised by her absence, but Bledel made the decision to step back from the show.
At the time, Bledel gave few details about her choice, saying it was made “after much thought.” The showrunner Bruce Miller confirmed that the decision was hers, noting it was “a complicated time” and that she communicated this to him (via The Hollywood Reporter). This choice highlights Bledel’s prioritization of her own well-being, even if it meant Emily’s story had to be abruptly cut short before season 5.
Returning to Gilead Could Have Brought Closure to Emily’s Story
June’s Return Could Have Intersected with Emily’s
Following Bledel’s exit, the show needed a way to explain Emily’s absence. This was done through Sylvia, Emily’s wife, who informs June that Emily returned to Gilead to continue fighting the regime from within. While this was a sudden plot development, it fits the trauma faced by former Handmaids struggling to adjust outside Gilead and offers some rationale for Emily’s choice.
Considering Emily’s fate was to return to fight within Gilead — a path shared by June and others in the latest season — it feels odd that Emily hasn’t been mentioned at all since then. Even if Bledel did not come back to reprise the role on screen, the show could have at least referenced Emily’s situation. A simple line or two discussing whether she escaped Gilead again or took up leadership in another rebellion would have helped solidify her fate.
Emily Deserves More Than an Unresolved Ending
A Central Figure in The Handmaid’s Tale
Emily was a vital character throughout the first four seasons and arguably one of the series’ most compelling figures. To simply overlook her in the final season would be a disservice to the story and the fans. While Bledel’s departure was voluntary and the writers had to improvise a reason for Emily’s return to Gilead, the current focus and setting of the show provide an opportunity to offer a clearer conclusion to her story — one that would honor her importance in the series.
Especially because the series is coming to its end, Emily’s story could be resolved fairly easily. The Handmaid’s Tale is incredibly complex and often hard to watch, but sharing what happened to Emily after her departure could help answer a lingering question and give a beloved character a fitting, or even hopeful, ending. For all of her suffering, she should at least get to share in some of the revenge the other former Handmaids are taking, though with just two episodes left, it remains to be seen whether The Handmaid’s Tale will give Emily a more satisfying conclusion.