After almost a decade, The Handmaid’s Tale drew to a close with its Tuesday, May 27, series finale.
The long-anticipated conclusion, which set up the forthcoming spinoff series The Testaments, was celebrated online not only by fans but the show’s cast who took to social media to share tributes in the finale’s aftermath.
Stars including Yvonne Strahovski, who played Serena Joy Waterford, Ever Carradine, who played Naomi Putnum/Lawrence, O-T Fagbenle, who played Luke Bankole, and more reflected on their time throughout the series, based on the 1985 novel, “The Handmaid’s Tale,” written by Margaret Atwood.
Elisabeth Moss, who portrayed the story’s central character June Osbourne and also served as a producer and director, said in an interview with Variety, published on Tuesday, May 27, that the series had been “my life for nine years” and struggled to articulate her thoughts on its ending.
“I’m so close to it, and so close to June that I don’t know how to talk about it, because there’s no separation,” Moss explained.
She added that she never intended to be so involved in the project prior to work commencing in bringing the pages of Atwood’s story to the small screen. “Somehow from the very beginning with [Handmaid’s Tale writers] Bruce [Miller] and Warren [Littlefield] including me in stuff, I became involved on this really, really detailed level from episode one. And that just carried on for nine years,” Moss said.
Keep scrolling for The Handmaid’s Tale’s cast members’ tributes to the show’s conclusion.
Yvonne Strahovski
Yvonne Strahovski and Bradley Whitford Courtesy of Yvonne Strahovski/Instagram
Posting her reflections via a three-part Instagram tribute, Strahovski said her experience on The Handmaid’s Tale was deeply impactful. “Part 1: There are simply too many moments, too many goodbyes & too many tears,” Strahovski wrote on May 27. “Words can’t describe what this experience has meant to me. The connections made, the time spent & the memories I will cherish forever. It was my privilege to be part of this show @handmaidsonhulu and I will forever be grateful to all involved, and forever grateful for Serena Joy. You taught me so much 🫶🏻 Thank you for coming on this journey 🫶🏻”
The actress shared dozens of happy memories across her three posts, captioning her second, “Part 2: A thousand tears were cried.” Her third post was simply labeled, “Part 3: ❤️.”
Ever Carradine
Ever Carradine, Sam Jaeger and Elizabeth Moss Courtesy of Ever Carradine/Instagram
Carradine took to Instagram on May 27 to share some heartfelt thoughts. “The series finale episode was also my last day on set. Every time someone asks if my last day was sad, I tell them it was like 3am in the middle of nowhere and below freezing,” she wrote. “I was too cold to be sentimental. But now I’m home and warm and finally realizing that this incredible chapter of my work life is coming to a close. I am eternally grateful to have walked Gilead in Naomi’s shoes for six seasons.”
She continued, “This has truly been the job of a lifetime… and I’m feeling all the feels, but promise to write more about it later. I have more pictures, too. #thehandmaidstale #thatsawrap.”
O-T Fagbenle
Samira Wiley, O-T Fagbenle and Elizabeth Moss Courtesy of O-T Fagbenle/Instagram
Fagbenle shared a carousel of photos via Instagram on May 27, including snaps with Moss, Samira Wiley, who played Moira Strand, and other cast members. “Shooting the last few eps of @handmaidsonhulu had joy, sadness and the best driving,” Fagbenle wrote, referring to Moss driving a golf buggy in one of his videos.
Madeline Brewer
Brewer, who played Janine Lindo in the series, posted an Instagram video of herself getting into character on-set in 2016. “August 2016 … first fitting as Janine with @anecrabtree. I had no idea how my life would change immeasurably, irrevocably,” Brewer captioned the video.
Hours later, she also shared a screenshot of Moss’ Variety cover which read, “Goodbye, June,” via her Instagram Stories on May 27. She sweetly captioned the post, “lizzie girl,” adding a pink flower at the end.
Max Minghella
Max Minghella Savion Washington/WireImage
The man behind Nick Blaine shared his Handmaid’s Tale tribute ahead of the final season’s premiere, taking to Instagram on April 4 to mark the end of an era. “9 years. 6 seasons. Thank you to anyone who has supported our show along the way and made it possible. We hope you enjoy the destination as much as we loved the journey,” the actor wrote alongside photos from a red carpet event that drew his castmates.
Amanda Brugel
Brugel, who played Rita Blue, shared an Instagram tribute just ahead of the season finale of The Handmaid’s Tale on May 26. “Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I’ll try again tomorrow.” – @maryanneradmacher,” Burgel wrote, referencing a line from Atwood’s novel that was included in the final season. “Forever grateful to @erictuchman and @yahlinchang for their unwavering belief in Rita’s courage. For gently reminding me to see it. And for being the real world embodiment of quiet, humble, calm valour.”
Sam Jaeger
Yvonne Strahovski and Sam Jaeger Courtesy of Yvonne Strahovski/Instagram
Sharing his thoughts on the series conclusion via an Instagram video on Tuesday, Jaeger, who played Commander (on the right side of the law) Mark Tuello, explained how he felt about leaving his character behind. “Will I miss Mark? No, I like Mark though. I’ll miss the people that I got to do this show with,” Jaeger explained. “Definitely. I’m looking forward to seeing what they do with The Testaments. I think it will be strange and sad to see Gilead surviving. I think that’s the hardest part for us all, isn’t it? That we wanted some closure on Gilead but I think we got as much as a small group of people fighting against insurmountable odds can do.”
