The Handmaid’s Tale returns for its sixth and final season on April 8, 2025. June Osborne’s story concludes with 10 episodes streaming on Prime Video and Channel 4, as fans brace for whatever Bruce Miller has planned.

Premiere Date: April 8, 2025 (US) / May 3, 2025 (UK) ·
Platform: Prime Video ·
Status: Final Season ·
Total Episodes: 10

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
  • US finale aired May 27, 2025 (Radio Times)
  • UK Episode 7: June 15, 2025 (The Independent)
  • UK finale expected early July 2025 (Radio Times)
4What happens next
  • No Season 7 confirmed (Radio Times)
  • Final episode wraps June and Serena’s arc (Radio Times)
  • Series adaptation of The Testaments near (Radio Times)

Is there a release date for The Handmaid’s Tale season 6?

Yes. The final season has two premiere dates depending on where you’re watching. US fans got first access on April 8, 2025, when the first three episodes dropped on Hulu simultaneously. The UK launch came nearly a month later on May 3, 2025, with Channel 4 and Amazon Prime Video releasing the opening batch on the same day.

Filming for Season 6 concluded in February 2025, giving the production team a short window for post-production before the US premiere. Radio Times notes that the series was greenlit for a sixth and final season back in September 2022, meaning fans have had over two years to process that this would be the end. The US run finished on May 27, 2025, while UK viewers are still working through the weekly rollout, with Episode 10 expected around July 5, 2025.

Announcement details

The confirmation came quietly but firmly: Season 6 would be the last. Rather than letting the news dribble out piecemeal, Hulu and MGM Television announced simultaneously that the drama would end after six seasons. No renewal drama, no “we’ll see what happens”—just a clear endpoint.

Production timeline

Here’s how the season came together:

  • Season 6 greenlit: September 2022
  • Filming wrapped: February 2025
  • US premiere (Episodes 1-3): April 8, 2025
  • UK premiere (Episodes 1-3): May 3, 2025
  • US finale aired: May 27, 2025
  • UK finale expected: July 5, 2025

Where can I watch The Handmaid’s Tale season 6 in the UK?

UK viewers have two main options: Channel 4 (free-to-air with catch-up) and Amazon Prime Video (subscription). The first three episodes of Season 6 arrived on both platforms on May 3, 2025, with subsequent episodes dropping weekly. Channel 4 typically broadcasts first, followed shortly by Prime Video.

Prime Video availability

Amazon Prime Video has been the show’s UK streaming home since Season 3, and that continues with Season 6. A subscription costs £9.99 per month, though new users can take advantage of a 30-day free trial. Seasons 1 through 5 are also available on the platform, meaning you can binge the entire series from the start if you haven’t already.

Streaming note

Hulu—the US streaming home—is not available in the UK. Attempting to access it from Britain requires a VPN and a US payment method, which makes it impractical for most viewers.

Other platforms

Channel 4+ offers an alternative with its £3.99-per-month ad-free tier. This gives you access to the show without a Prime subscription, though Channel 4’s on-demand library doesn’t extend to all international Prime Video exclusives. The network also airs the show on its linear channel, with episodes typically arriving on Sunday evenings at 10pm or 11pm.

Will there be a Handmaid’s Tale season 7?

No. Radio Times confirms that Season 6 is definitively the final season of The Handmaid’s Tale. The announcement in September 2022 left no ambiguity—the producers knew exactly where June’s story was heading, and they chose to end it rather than extend it.

Official statements

The decision to conclude the series was deliberate. Bruce Miller and the production team mapped out the ending before a single scene of Season 6 was shot. This isn’t a case of ratings pressure or network reshuffling; it’s a creative choice to give June Osborne a proper send-off.

Series conclusion

What comes after The Handmaid’s Tale ends? So far, no spin-off has been officially announced, though Margaret Atwood’s companion novel The Testaments provides plenty of material if the franchise wants to continue. The Independent notes that the finale edges closer to an adaptation of that sequel, which could theoretically open new narrative doors.

Did June ever get Hannah back?

Season 6 picks up threads that Season 5 left dangling, including June’s fractured relationship with her daughter Hannah, now living under a different identity in Gilead. The show has been careful not to rush this storyline, and Season 6 continues that measured approach.

Season 6 developments

The season opens with June and Serena attempting to flee Toronto—a risky move given Serena’s past complicity with the Gilead regime. Their uneasy alliance drives much of the early-season tension, with both women carrying guilt that complicates their survival.

Key plot resolutions

Elizabeth Moss leads Episode 6, titled “Janine,” which takes June back into one of Gilead’s most notorious settings. The episode delivers the brutal storytelling the series is known for, with The Independent describing it as “a brutal one” that doesn’t shy away from the emotional cost of resistance.

Is The Handmaid’s Tale season 6 on Netflix UK?

No. The Handmaid’s Tale is not available on Netflix in the UK. The show has been an Amazon Prime Video exclusive since the third season, and that arrangement continues through Season 6.

Platform comparisons

Here’s how the UK streaming landscape looks for the show:

Platform Availability Cost
Amazon Prime Video Seasons 1–6 £9.99/month
Channel 4+ Seasons 1–6 £3.99/month
Netflix UK Not available N/A

The implication: Netflix subscribers have no legitimate way to stream the series and must choose between Prime Video or Channel 4+.

Alternatives

If you don’t want to commit to a Prime subscription just for The Handmaid’s Tale, Channel 4+ offers the most affordable route at £3.99 per month. You can also watch episodes on Channel 4’s linear channel when they air, provided you’re comfortable with the weekly wait.

The catch

UK viewers remain roughly a month behind the US throughout the season. If you’re desperate to avoid spoilers, Prime Video or Channel 4+ subscription is your only practical option—no legitimate Netflix path exists.

The Handmaid’s Tale season 6 episode release schedule

Ten facts, one pattern: UK episodes arrive weekly on Sundays, roughly 3–4 weeks after their US counterparts.

Episode UK Air Date US Air Date
Episode 1 May 3, 2025 April 8, 2025
Episode 2 May 10, 2025 April 8, 2025
Episode 3 May 17, 2025 April 8, 2025
Episode 4 May 24, 2025 April 15, 2025
Episode 5 May 31, 2025 April 22, 2025
Episode 6 June 8, 2025 April 29, 2025
Episode 7 June 15, 2025 May 6, 2025
Episode 8 June 21, 2025 May 13, 2025
Episode 9 June 28, 2025 May 20, 2025
Episode 10 (Finale) July 5, 2025 May 27, 2025

Harper’s Bazaar UK confirms the complete UK schedule, with Elle UK providing the episode-by-episode breakdown. The UK finale lands approximately six weeks after the US wrapped on May 27, 2025.

Confirmed vs unclear: What we know and don’t know

Confirmed

  • UK premiere: May 3, 2025
  • 10 episodes total
  • Season 6 is the final season
  • Amazon Prime Video UK exclusive
  • Episode 6 “Janine” aired June 8, 2025
  • Episode 7 at 11pm on June 15, 2025
  • US finale May 27, 2025

Unclear

  • Finale episode title
  • Whether The Testaments is directly adapted
  • Complete plot resolution details
  • Any post-series spin-off plans

What people are saying

The final season of The Handmaid’s Tale is slowly creeping toward its end.

The Independent

We’re edging closer to the end – and to the adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s The Testaments.

The Independent

Regrettably, yes. Season 6 was officially greenlit in September 2022… confirming it as the last season.

— Radio Times

Bottom line

The Handmaid’s Tale Season 6 offers UK viewers a clear choice: commit to a £9.99/month Prime Video subscription or pay £3.99/month for Channel 4+. Netflix is not an option. The show wrapped its US run on May 27, 2025, but UK fans still have until early July to experience the finale week by week. For British viewers who want to see how June’s story ends without waiting for digital dust to settle, Prime Video or Channel 4+ are the only legitimate paths forward.

Additional sources

redonline.co.uk

Frequently asked questions

What’s the core storyline for season 6?

Season 6 follows June and Serena as they attempt to build new lives outside Gilead, navigating the fallout of their past actions while dealing with the realities of refugee status in Canada.

Is there a trailer for Handmaid’s Tale season 6?

Yes. Trailers have been released through Prime Video and Channel 4’s official channels. Red Online confirms that promotional material has been available ahead of the UK premiere.

Who stars in The Handmaid’s Tale season 6 cast?

Elizabeth Moss returns as June Osborne, with Yvonne Strahovski, Sam Waterston, Ann Dowd, and Bradley Whitford among the returning cast. New additions have been confirmed for Season 6 as the story expands into new territories.

How many episodes in The Handmaid’s Tale season 6?

The season consists of 10 episodes, confirmed by Elle UK. The UK broadcast began with three episodes on May 3, 2025, followed by weekly releases through early July.

Is The Handmaid’s Tale on Netflix or Amazon Prime?

In the UK, The Handmaid’s Tale streams exclusively on Amazon Prime Video (with Seasons 1-5 also available on Channel 4). It is not on Netflix in the UK.

Why was a major character written off in season 6?

Storyline decisions led to certain characters departing in Season 6. The show has always used character exits to drive tension, and Season 6 continues this approach as it builds toward its conclusion.

What disability does Nick’s wife have?

Nick’s wife Esther has been depicted with physical disability in the series. The show has addressed her character arc across multiple seasons, with Season 6 continuing to explore her circumstances within Gilead’s strict social hierarchy.

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