Here’s why Alexis Bledel left The Handmaid’s Tale

The Handmaid
The Handmaid's Tale (Image via YouTube/@hulu)

The Handmaid's Tale is Margaret Atwood's work and is a dystopian television series. It takes place in the totalitarian nation of Gilead, which controls women. Fertile women, referred to as "Handmaids," are compelled to bear children for affluent households in this world as per the storyline.

The story of The Handmaid’s Tale follows Handmaid June Osborne as she fights to live in this harsh environment, and since its 2017 Hulu debut, the unique series has won several awards. The list of numerous awards also includes the Emmy and Golden Globes.

After giving it some thought, Alexis Bledel announced her departure from The Handmaid's Tale in May 2022, and June benefited greatly from the support of her character, Emily, who was admired for her courage and commitment to justice. Bledel's departure meant that Emily's story would conclude in the latter seasons without her in The Handmaid’s Tale.


More about Alexis Bledel’s role in The Handmaid’s Tale

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Emily Malek, portrayed by Alexis Bledel, is an important character in The Handmaid's Tale, and before Gilead's ascent, she was a college lecturer who lived with her wife, Sylvia, and their son, Oliver.

When Gilead seizes authority as per the show’s storyline, Emily is taken from her family, and as per the main plot, she is forced to become a Handmaid known as Ofglen. With this, she is subjected to severe treatment, including a forced clitoridectomy, due to her sexual orientation. Despite the tragedy, Emily develops a deep relationship with June and becomes a valuable ally throughout the series.

Emily struggles with Gilead's harsh regime during her tenure as a Handmaid. Her character's journey is propelled by her desire for vengeance against those who have harmed her, particularly Aunt Lydia. Emily's resolve to pursue justice for the assault she endured demonstrates her fortitude and need for vengeance, giving her plot more emotional depth. Her quest symbolizes her struggle for existence as well as her quest for retribution.

In May 2022, Alexis Bledel announced her departure from The Handmaid's Tale. After considerable thought, she realized it was time to move on from the series.

Emily's plotline in The Handmaid’s Tale was wound up in the following seasons when Bledel was not present, and in The Handmaid’s Tale Season 5, Emily's return to Gilead was most likely a means for the writers to wrap up her tale. It's unclear if Emily dies off-screen or whether her tale just ends, but her departure signaled a shift in the series.

Despite her departure from the unique series, Alexis Bledel's portrayal of Emily is still a noteworthy and important aspect of The Handmaid's Tale. Viewers are still moved by her strong portrayal of a heroine who battles for justice.

Edited by Sroban Ghosh