"There Is No June Without Serena": How The Handmaid's Tale Season 6 Changes The Series Most Complicated Relationship

On a macro level, The Handmaid's Tale is a story about a nation fighting for its soul, which remains clear in season 6. But one woman is at the center, as the title implies, and her myriad relationships offer as much food for thought as all the political machinations that keep Gilead running and keep Americans fighting long past the country's legal expiration date. June, played by the masterful Elisabeth Moss (who also serves as one of the show's executive producers), is driven throughout the show by love for her children — but she is often powered by love in different forms.

But while the fans fight over whether June belongs with her long-suffering husband Luke or her Gileadean lover Nick, her most important and complex relationships are with other women. Moira is her best friend, who has gone through fire and back with her, but her ex-mistress Serena Joy (Yvonne Strahovski) makes for the most fascinating puzzle. As an architect of Gilead, Serena relished treating June like property and even helped her husband rape the Handmaid, but in recent seasons they have grown to understand and help one another, respecting each other's intellect and fearing for each other's lives.

ScreenRant attended the premiere screening event for The Handmaid's Tale season 6, where we interviewed Elisabeth Moss about June and Serena and chatted with stars Madeline Brewer, Samira Wiley, Timothy Simons, Jordana Blake, Nina Kiri, and Kristen Gutoskie. The cast members reflected on their favorite moments from the last 5 seasons and teased what to expect in the final outing. We also spoke to creator Bruce Miller and EP Warren Littlefield, who gave valuable insight into how The Testaments will carry on the legacy.

Watch the full interviews in the video above, and read some of the most intriguing responses below:

June & Serena Joy Will Continue Their Parallel Stories In The Handmaid's Tale Season 6

Elisabeth Moss Has Always Been A Vocal Proponent Of The Complex Dynamic Between The Women

While The Handmaid's Tale star and EP was tight-lipped about the events that will transpire in the remaining 7 episodes of the series, she was quick to acknowledge the complexities of June and Serena Joy's relationship. "They're intertwined, for sure," Moss agreed when ScreenRant asked about the way their dynamic would be highlighted in the final season. "They continue to have these parallel stories."

Elizabeth Moss as June Osborne and Yvonne Strahovski as Serena Joy in The Handmaid's Tale season 6 episode 1

Why June Does That For Serena Joy In The Handmaid's Tale Season 6, Episode 1

June's reunion with Serena quickly turned into something far more dangerous, leading the Handmaid's Tale protagonist to make a surprising choice.

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She then proceeded to wax poetic about the two women, whose bond has been the subject of much debate on and off-screen as it has gone from pure hatred to reluctant love and everywhere in between. "One is light, and one is dark, but sometimes they go back and forth as to which is which," the actor continued, which was certainly proven after June ripped Commander Waterford to shreds and Serena Joy almost lost custody of her son. But at the end of the day? "There's no June without Serena, and there's no Serena without June."

How Aunt Lydia & Janine's Dynamic Is Irrevocably Changed After The Handmaid's Tale Season 5

"I Don't Think That Aunt Lydia's Prepared For The Way Janine Has Changed"

Aunt Lydia & Janine at a Jezebel's in The Handmaid's Tale 603 — Still from The Handmaid's Tale season 6

ScreenRant: I've always been fascinated by the soft spot Aunt Lydia and Janine have for each other. Where do you think it stems from, and how will it change after the betrayal in season 5?

Madeline Brewer: I think that bond comes from a very, very genuine love that Ann [Dowd] and I have. We have a great relationship, and I genuinely think of doing anything but excluding pure and honest love and respect for everybody. I know I'm not unique in how I feel for her, but we have a great time. I think that we've watched each other's characters grow. We did a movie together a year before we did a movie called Hedgehog, and I think it laid the groundwork for that genuine love.
In season 6, there is still a lot of love there, but I think that is manifesting in new ways for them. I don't think Aunt Lydia's prepared for the way Janine has changed.

ScreenRant: We've been promised revolution, but Gilead is not torn down in a day. With The Testaments coming, how do you feel Janine's personal story ends?

Madeline Brewer: Janine's personal story ends in a very quiet way. She doesn't go out with a bang, and I think that that's exactly right. No fanfare; just with a quiet, beautiful nature.

The Handmaid's Tale Creator & EP Preview How The Testaments Will Continue The Story

"We'll Pull Back The Veil And Remind People That, In Fact, They're Still In Gilead"

ScreenRant: We know The Testaments is coming, so Gilead is not overthrown in a day. How are you approaching that differently from the last six years of The Handmaid's Tale?

Bruce Miller: I think June was at the very bottom of the ladder in Gilead. She was barely considered a woman. But her daughter, Agnes Mackenzie, who's still stuck in Gilead, is at the very top of the order. So, what you realize is that they're incredibly valued by Gilead, but it doesn't matter. Being at the top or being at the bottom is still s--tty for a woman in Gilead.
Warren Littlefield: When we do The Testaments, that would be four years later, but we will end this year of The Handmaid's Tale with a sense of closure and accomplishment. But yes, Gilead is still there, so we're going to have an entirely different point of view.
It's about young girls coming of age in that world; having only ever known the world that was Gilead. It's a completely different point of view, with completely different orientation than The Handmaid's Tale. I think that's going be exciting. It's going to be a beautiful place, but we'll of course pull back the veil and remind people that, in fact, they're still in Gilead.

Check out the rest of our The Handmaid's Tale season 6 interviews here.

The first 3 episodes of The Handmaid's Tale season 6 are now streaming on Hulu, with new episodes dropping every Tuesday.

Source: Screen Rant Plus

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