The Handmaids Tale

Status: Ended
Aired: 2017-25, 6 Seasons Totaling 66 Episodes
Series Premiere: April 26, 2017
Network: Hulu
Starring: Elisabeth Moss, Samira Wiley, Joseph Fiennes, Yvonne Strahovski
Series Website: www.hulu.com/the-handmaids-tale

Description: Adapted from the classic novel by Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid’s Tale is the story of life in the dystopia of Gilead, a totalitarian society in what was formerly the United States. Facing environmental disasters and a plunging birthrate, Gilead is ruled by a twisted fundamentalism in its militarized ‘return to traditional values’. As one of the few remaining fertile women, Offred (Elisabeth Moss) is a Handmaid in the Commander’s household, one of the caste of women forced into sexual servitude as a last desperate attempt to repopulate the world. In this terrifying society, Offred must navigate between Commanders, their cruel Wives, domestic Marthas, and her fellow Handmaids – where anyone could be a spy for Gilead – all with one goal: to survive and find the daughter that was taken from her. Hulu.com

Trailer:

You can see the current schedule of sci fi and fantasy shows at this link.

Why Did It End?  This series drew strong viewership when it first premiered and continued to perform well for Hulu throughout its six-year run. It went past the usual three-to-four season tenure that we have been seeing for streaming originals, in part because it drew attention to the streaming service each year at awards time. It counts as a prestige entry for the Hulu, and will likely go on to rank among the greatest sci fi TV shows of all time. The sequel series The Testaments, based on the book of the same name by Margaret Atwood, is in the works and will premiere in Spring 2026.

Stream or Purchase VOD:

For the latest updates on the current and upcoming shows, follow Cancellation Watch and the Cancelled Sci Fi Twitter Site