Few roles have left a mark on television the way June Osborne has for Elisabeth Moss, so it’s no shock that the series finale of The Handmaid’s Tale hints at more to come. While June’s arc wraps with a powerful sense of victory, the unanswered question about her daughter’s fate lingers—and it’s set to unfold in the upcoming spin-off The Testaments, now in production. Although casting announcements have trickled out, the creators have remained tight-lipped about whether June will return, be it front and center or in a brief but meaningful cameo. Ignoring her altogether would feel like a lost chance to deliver the emotional payoff fans have long awaited. Given June’s lasting influence, her return—however subtle—seems not only possible, but inevitable.
‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Finishes June’s Story, but It Also Leaves an Opening for Her To Return
By the time The Handmaid’s Tale reaches its finale, June Osborne has achieved what once seemed impossible: a striking, hard-won victory over the oppressive regime of Gilead. Through the sacrifices of resistance allies and the relentless advance of American forces, the local Commanders are eliminated, and Boston is finally liberated. On a personal level, June also finds healing—choosing forgiveness over vengeance and extending grace to women who once contributed to her suffering. Those who survive the chaos are granted peace at last, and June begins to savor her own hard-fought freedom. Her story even becomes the basis for a book, offering reflective narration that ties her arc together—except for one major thread left dangling: the fate of her daughter, Hannah, now known as Agnes, who has been taken to Washington, DC.
June’s choice to keep fighting underscores the show’s core message—that justice must be pursued relentlessly, even in moments of triumph. But it also reminds us to seize joy whenever it dares to appear.
The show’s massive acclaim helped inspire Margaret Atwood to pen a sequel, The Testaments, which takes place fifteen years after that fateful van scene. While the series surpassed that early ending, Atwood’s involvement ensured certain threads remained intact. She reportedly gave producers a shortlist of characters essential to the sequel—including June herself. That, paired with Hannah’s pivotal role in the novel, fuels hope for a long-awaited reunion. The door to June’s story isn’t shut—it’s simply waiting to be reopened.
Which Cast Members Are Returning for ‘The Testaments’ Spin-Off?
At this stage, casting news for The Testaments is just starting to trickle in, so there’s still no definitive lineup of returning faces. One thing we do know: Ann Dowd will reprise her role as Aunt Lydia, one of the central voices in Margaret Atwood’s sequel. When we last saw Lydia, her disillusionment with Gilead’s male leadership was growing, and all signs point to The Testaments delving deeper into her transformation.
But while some characters are expected to evolve, others are confirmed to be stepping away. Samira Wiley made it clear she won’t be back as Moira, closing that chapter of her career with unflinching honesty:
> “I’m not gonna tease and say maybe or nothing. Nope. I am done with it. I am done with the trauma. I am. I mean it. Margaret Atwood, the way she writes these characters, the depth to all of it, I feel like I have played my part and my story is done.”
Likewise, Bruce Miller, creator of the original series, has acknowledged that Yvonne Strahovski’s arc as Serena appears to be finished. In an interview, he shared that Serena’s final moments were crafted as a fitting farewell—marking the conclusion of her character’s deeply complex journey.
So where does that leave Elisabeth Moss and the fate of June? While there’s been no confirmation about her return onscreen, Moss will continue to shape the story as an executive producer, just as she did with The Handmaid’s Tale. That level of behind-the-scenes involvement leaves the door wide open for a surprise cameo or a pivotal presence in the early episodes—though, for now, it remains a mystery.
June Returning for ‘The Testaments’ Would Fit the Spin-off’s Storyline
It’s not hard to see why Elisabeth Moss might hesitate to return as June Osborne. After all, she initially declined the role due to concerns about jumping into another long-term project right after Mad Men. If she does return, it’ll likely be in a limited capacity—perhaps a cameo or a smaller supporting part. Still, considering Hannah (now Agnes) is set to be front and center in The Testaments, it would feel oddly incomplete for her mother not to appear in some way. Flashbacks or memories could be powerful tools to explore Hannah’s internal conflict, as June remains a profound, if unspoken, presence in her life.
More than just a narrative choice, including June reflects a promise—the one she made to her daughter, her family, and the viewers—that she would never stop searching for Hannah. That vow has echoed through every season, and despite the show’s occasional pacing issues, this thread continues to carry emotional weight. The eventual reunion isn’t just desired—it’s necessary for Gilead’s story to feel fully resolved. For now, we wait alongside Hannah, hoping that someday, the circle will close.
