The Handmaid's Tale (2017)
A searing dystopian drama about resistance, identity, and survival under a brutal theocratic regime — one of television's most acclaimed and provocative series.
The Handmaid's Tale - Series Information
- Original Title: The Handmaid's Tale
- First Air Year: 2017
- Last Air Year: 2025
- Created by: Bruce Miller
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Action, Adventure
- Content Rating (US): TV-MA
- Number of Seasons: 6
- Number of Episodes: 66
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: April 26, 2017 (United States - TV-MA), April 26, 2017 (Canada - 14+), April 26, 2017 (United Kingdom - 15), April 26, 2017 (Germany - 16), April 26, 2017 (France - 12), April 26, 2017 (India - U), April 26, 2017 (Australia - MA 15+), April 26, 2017 (Brazil - 16), April 26, 2017 (Mexico - D), April 26, 2017 (Spain - 18)
- Networks: Hulu
- Production Companies: MGM Television, White Oak Pictures, Daniel Wilson Productions, Toluca Pictures, The Littlefield Company
- Production Countries: United States of America
- Alternative Titles: Het verhaal van de dienstmaagd (NL), The Handmaid's Tale - Der Report der Magd (DE), Příběh služebnice (CZ), O Conto da Aia (The Handmaid's Tale) (BR), La Servante écarlate (FR), A História de uma Serva (PT), La servante écarlate (CA), ハンドメイズ・テイル/侍女の物語 (JP)
The Handmaid's Tale - Plot
Set in a dystopian future, a woman is forced to live as a concubine under a fundamentalist theocratic dictatorship.
The Handmaid's Tale - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the world of Gilead come to life:
The revolution is here.
Where to Watch The Handmaid's Tale
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The Handmaid's Tale - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Bruce Miller
Main Cast
- Elisabeth Moss
- Yvonne Strahovski
- Ann Dowd
- Max Minghella
- Samira Wiley
- O-T Fagbenle
- Madeline Brewer
- Amanda Brugel
- Joseph Fiennes
- Bradley Whitford
Writers
- Margaret Atwood
- Jacey Heldrich
- Lynn Renee Maxcy
- Aly Monroe
- Bruce Miller
Executive Producers
- Elisabeth Moss
- Daniel Wilson
- Fran Sears
- Warren Littlefield
- Bruce Miller
The Handmaid's Tale - FAQs
Where can you stream The Handmaid's Tale?
The Handmaid's Tale streams exclusively on Hulu in the United States. It is also available for purchase on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home. Availability may vary by region, so check JustWatch for options in your country.
Is The Handmaid's Tale based on a true story?
The Handmaid's Tale is not based on a true story, but it is adapted from Margaret Atwood's acclaimed 1985 novel of the same name. Atwood drew on real historical events — including theocratic regimes, forced reproduction, and totalitarian control — to craft her cautionary dystopian fiction.
How many seasons does The Handmaid's Tale have?
The Handmaid's Tale ran for six seasons on Hulu. Season 1 premiered in April 2017, and the sixth and final season concluded in 2025, bringing the series to a close with 66 episodes across its main run, plus additional special content.
What is The Handmaid's Tale about?
The series is set in Gilead, a totalitarian theocracy that has replaced the United States. Women are stripped of rights and forced into rigid social roles. The story follows June Osborne, a handmaid assigned to bear children for the ruling class, as she resists her oppressors and fights for freedom.
Did The Handmaid's Tale win any awards?
Yes. The Handmaid's Tale made history at the 2017 Emmy Awards, becoming the first streaming series to win Outstanding Drama Series. Elisabeth Moss won Outstanding Lead Actress, and Ann Dowd won Outstanding Supporting Actress. The show earned numerous Emmy, Golden Globe, and SAG Award nominations throughout its run.
Who are the main actors in The Handmaid's Tale?
The series stars Elisabeth Moss as June Osborne, Yvonne Strahovski as Serena Joy Waterford, Ann Dowd as Aunt Lydia, Max Minghella as Nick Blaine, Samira Wiley as Moira, O-T Fagbenle as Luke Bankole, Joseph Fiennes as Fred Waterford, and Bradley Whitford as Joseph Lawrence.
What is the ending of The Handmaid's Tale explained?
The sixth and final season concludes June's long journey of resistance against Gilead. After years of fighting, sacrifice, and loss, June confronts the regime's remaining power structures in a climactic resolution. The finale offers a hard-won sense of closure while reflecting on the personal and collective cost of survival and rebellion.
What is the content rating for The Handmaid's Tale?
The Handmaid's Tale is rated TV-MA, meaning it is intended for mature audiences only. The series contains strong depictions of sexual violence, torture, psychological abuse, and totalitarian brutality. Viewer discretion is strongly advised, particularly for those sensitive to themes of rape, slavery, and systemic oppression.
More About The Handmaid's Tale
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