Who are in the cast of The Handmaid's Tale?

The Handmaid’s Tale is a hit American TV show based on the novel of the same name written by Margaret Atwood. The show is made by Bruce Miller and produced by Nina Fiore, John Herrera, Kim Todd, and Joseph Boccia. The show aired on April 26, 2017, on Hulu, and it quickly gained popularity. The show is set in a dystopian future where a totalitarian government called Gilead has taken over the United States. In this new society, women have lost their rights, and fertile women, called Handmaids, are forced to bear children for powerful families. The show follows June Osborne, a handmaid who fights against this cruel system.

The show has been praised for its storytelling, emotional depth, and strong performances. The show has released 5 seasons so far, with a total of 56 episodes. Season 6 is set to air on April 8, 2025. It has won multiple awards, including 5 Primetime Emmy Awards, 3 Critics Choice Television Awards, 10 Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards, and 2 Golden Globes. Let’s take a look at the cast of The Handmaid’s Tale.

Elisabeth Moss as June Osborne

Elisabeth Moss plays the role of June Osborne, also known as Offred, in the show. June is a strong and determined woman who refuses to accept her life as a Handmaid. Throughout the show, she fights for her freedom and the freedom of others. Elisabeth Moss has won many awards for her role in The Handmaid’s Tale.

Elisabeth Moss is an American actress and producer, born on July 24, 1982, in Los Angeles, California. She started her acting at a young age and made her debut at the age of 8. She made her acting debut with a minor role in the show Lucky/Chances in 1990. Her other known work includes Girl, Interrupted (1999), The One I Love (2014), The Invisible Man (2020), and others.

Yvonne Strahovski as Serena Joy Waterford

Yvonne Strahovski plays the role of Serena Joy, the wife of Commander Fred Waterford, in the show. Serena was once a powerful woman who helped create Gilead, but she later realizes that she has also lost her freedom under this system. Her character is complicated, as she struggles between supporting Gilead and wanting more control over her own life.

Yvonne Strahovski is an Australian actress, born on July 30, 1982, in Sydney, Australia. She made her debut with the TV show Double the Fist (2004). She gained popularity for her role as CIA agent Sarah Walker in the TV show Chuck (2007–2012). Later, she starred in Dexter (2012–2013). Her other known works include The Guilt Trip (2012), I, Frankenstein (2014), The Predator (2018), and The Tomorrow War (2021).

Joseph Fiennes as Commander Fred Waterford

Joseph Fiennes plays the role of Commander Fred Waterford, one of the leaders of Gilead, in the show. He is a high-ranking government officer and he is also responsible for enforcing its strict rules. He has moments of weakness where he bends them for his own desires. He is the husband of Serena Joy and the master of June Osborne (Offred), whom he forces into the role of a handmaid. Fred is a powerful yet flawed character, and Joseph Fiennes brings depth to his role.

Joseph Fiennes is a British actor, born on May 27, 1970, in Salisbury, England. He gained popularity for his role as William Shakespeare in Shakespeare in Love (1998), which won the Academy Award for Best Picture. He has also worked in films like Elizabeth (1998), Enemy at the Gates (2001), Luther (2003), American Horror Story (2012-2013), and Hercules (2014).

Ann Dowd as Aunt Lydia

Ann Dowd plays the role of Aunt Lydia, one of the most feared characters in the show. She plays a strict and powerful woman in Gilead. Aunt Lydia is responsible for training and controlling the handmaids, using harsh punishments to keep them obedient. She is strict and often cruel, but she believes she is helping the women by preparing them for their roles. Over time, her character becomes more difficult, showing moments of care and regret. Ann Dowd won an Emmy Award for her work in the show.

Ann Dowd is an American actress, born on January 30, 1956, in Holyoke, Massachusetts. She made her debut in a TV film, First Steps (1985). Dowd has also worked in films like Green Card (1990), The Manchurian Candidate (2004), Marley & Me (2008), Compliance (2012), Hereditary (2018), and Mass (2021). She also played roles in TV shows like The Leftovers (2014–2017).

Alexis Bledel as Emily Malek

Alexis Bledel plays the role of Emily Malek in the show. She is also known as Ofglen. Emily is a former college professor who becomes a handmaid but secretly fights against Gilead. She faces severe punishment for breaking Gilead’s rules but never loses her will to fight. Later, she escapes to Canada, where she struggles with the trauma of her past. She faces many difficulties but remains strong. Alexis Bledel’s performance was praised, and she won an Emmy Award for her work in the show.

Alexis Bledel is an American actress born on September 16, 1981, in Houston, Texas. She is known for her role as Rory Gilmore in the hit TV show Gilmore Girls (2000–2007) and later continued her role in Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life (2016). She also worked in Sin City (2005), Post Grad (2009), The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants films (2005, 2008), and Mad Men (2012).