Alexis Bledel has exited TheHandmaidsTale ahead of season 5.
Alexis Bledel exits The Handmaid’s Tale season 5. Based on Margaret Atwood’s 1985 novel, The Handmaid’s Tale debuted on Hulu in 2017. Starring Elisabeth Moss as June Osborne, the dystopian series has received numerous accolades and is one of Hulu’s most popular offerings. In 2020, ahead of its season 4 premiere, The Handmaid’s Tale was renewed for season 5. Ending on an ambiguous note after the demise of Fred Waterford , season 4 left fans speculating when the series will end.
Now, the drama series loses a key character. Per THR, Bledel announced her exit from The Handmaid’s Tale as Emily/Ofglen ahead of season 5. Bledel has costarred opposite Moss since the debut of the series in 2017 as fellow handmaid Emily who eventually escapes Gilead. Bledel says she opted to leave the series “after much thought” but didn’t offer a specific reason for her exit. At this time, it's unknown how The Handmaid’s Tale season 5 will address Emily’s absence.
After much thought, I felt I had to step away from The Handmaid’s Tale at this time. I am forever grateful to [showrunner] Bruce Miller for writing such truthful and resonant scenes for Emily, and to Hulu, MGM, the cast and crew for their support. Of course, Bledel's departure from the series comes as a shock to fans who have witnessed Emily in some of the most vital plotlines of the show.