Emmy Award-winning actress Elisabeth Moss returns in full force for the sixth and final season of The Handmaid’s Tale, now streaming on Showmax. Not only does Moss reprise her iconic role as June Osborne, but she also steps behind the camera, directing the first two and final two episodes of the season.
Elisabeth Moss’ portrayal of June has been central to the success of The Handmaid’s Tale, a series that has earned 15 Emmys over its first five seasons and become a global phenomenon. Season 6 is no exception — it’s already racked up an 88% critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes and has been named one of the most anticipated TV shows of 2025 by outlets like Vanity Fair and Variety. As MSNBC notes, the show is “more relevant than ever.”
At the heart of it all is Elisabeth Moss, bringing resilience, rage, and remarkable depth to a character whose journey continues to inspire.
Creator and executive producer Bruce Miller says it best: “The one thing that Elisabeth Moss, as an actor, can’t hide is how strong she is as a person. That comes through even when June is being beaten or imprisoned. You never feel like she’s down and out. Every time Lizzie puts her shoulders back and straightens up, you believe that June can make it through.”
How Has June Changed Since Season 1?
When we first meet June in Season 1, she has already spent years trapped within Gilead’s brutal regime. Stripped of her voice and her freedom, her defiance simmers beneath the surface.
Through flashbacks, we glimpse the woman she once was — a mom, a wife, a woman living an ordinary life. But over six seasons, June evolves. She finds her voice — an angry, powerful, unbreakable one — and transforms into a warrior against oppression.
By Season 6, June has become even stronger and more determined. Elisabeth Moss describes her as someone carrying more pain, but also someone who’s gained a fierce, superhero-like strength: “All moms, all parents, all caregivers of any kind are superheroes. But she does become kind of a real actual hero for this movement.”
Moss adds, “It’s important to remember June is not an anomaly. She’s the story of so many people who have fought through adversity — whether it’s in their high school, their community, or their country.”
The Complicated Love Triangle: June, Luke, and Nick
Season 6 brings new tension to June’s relationships. When Luke is finally freed from prison, he is filled with determination. Long sidelined, he leaps into action, desperate to rescue their daughter, Hannah. But June is furious — she’s focused on keeping their family safe, and Luke’s reckless mission jeopardizes everything.
Meanwhile, June and Nick finally reunite after a long separation, offering them a chance to confront long-buried feelings.
The Powerful Dynamic Between June and Serena
Beyond June’s romantic relationships, one of the show’s most compelling bonds remains her fraught connection with Serena Waterford, played by Yvonne Strahovski.
“Serena is my favourite character besides June, largely due to Yvonne’s performance and the nuance she brings,” says Moss. “She brings humanity, vulnerability — and cruelty.”
For Moss, the relationship between June and Serena is the true love story of the series — a complicated, layered dynamic that drives much of the show’s emotional weight.
Elisabeth Moss shares her thoughts on the Legacy of The Handmaid’s Tale
Reflecting on the show’s impact, Elisabeth Moss says, “The impact of our show mirrors the impact of the book, which has continued to affect people personally and politically since 1985.”
With Margaret Atwood’s blessing, the series expanded the original story, creating a cultural phenomenon. Today, the imagery from The Handmaid’s Tale — particularly the red handmaid’s cloaks — has become a powerful symbol of resistance.
Elisabeth Moss is especially proud of how the series has sparked real-world conversations about rights, resistance, and resilience: “They should have never given us uniforms if they didn’t want us to be an army,” she quotes from Atwood.
Watch the trailer for The Handmaid’s Tale Season 6 (which has over 11 million views) below:
Catch new episodes of The Handmaid’s Tale every Wednesday, first on Showmax.
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