The Handmaid’s Tale packed one last surprise in its series finale by bringing back a major character.
“It was an immediate yes,” Alexis Bledel, who played Emily in seasons 1 to 4, told The Hollywood Reporter of her cameo in the Hulu drama’s final episode on Tuesday, May 27.
“It felt right to bring closure to Emily’s journey and offer the audience a sense of completion. Bruce [Miller, creator] put together such a kind and talented group, and so many of the original crew were still there in season six. The production runs like a well-oiled machine — everyone brings their best,” Bledel, 43, added.
The Gilmore Girls alum also shared that she’s “excited to see what they create” in the upcoming Handmaid’s Tale spinoff series, The Testaments.
During Tuesday’s conclusion to the hit Hulu series, June (Elisabeth Moss) reunited with Emily after the rebellion in Gilead. The finale featured a parallel to the show’s first episode, where June and Emily walked along the water. Instead of seeing bodies hanging in the area, June and Emily now saw effigies of dead commanders and freedom graffiti.
Emily’s return was a welcome twist after Bledel previously left ahead of season 5.
“After much thought, I felt I had to step away from The Handmaid’s Tale at this time,” she told Variety in a 2022 statement. “I am forever grateful to [executive producer] Bruce Miller for writing such truthful and resonant scenes for Emily, and to Hulu, MGM, the cast and crew for their support.”
In her interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Bledel reiterated that the show is ultimately one of hope and perseverance in the face of adversity.
“I hope viewers take away to keep hope alive when things seem impossible. Even if it seems like seeds you plant couldn’t possibly grow, plant seeds of hope anyway. You never know; they might find a way,” she said.
Bledel’s scene partner in the finale, lead actress Elisabeth Moss, told the outlet that once creator Bruce Miller floated the idea of bringing Emily back, she was set on making it happen.
“I said to him at the time, ‘You realize now that you’ve told me that, we have to do it,’” Moss shared. “It’s not the easiest thing in the world to call an actor and be like, ‘Can you come back for this one episode?’ They’re busy. … And she wanted to do it from the beginning. She didn’t need convincing at all. My first official scene on day one [on set] was with Alexis. So it meant a lot to get to work with her again.”
Miller, meanwhile, said that Bledel’s return to the Handmaid’s Tale set was an emotional one.
“She cried and hugged people every four feet,” the executive producer noted. He added that “it was wonderful to see her and Lizzie get right back into it after all that time. It’s like watching the f***ing Yankees bullpen every day with these guys. They’re so good.”
