Ahead of The Handmaid's Tale's season six release in the UK this weekend (the US premiere took place on April 8), fans of the series have taken to social media platforms to guess how the dystopian series will come to an end.
As The Handmaid's Tale is now available to stream weekly in the UK, with episode one setting the scene for the series, people are already speculating on what could happen.
While many theories have been circulating the internet, a common theme that viewers all seem to believe is that the ending of season six will closely tie into the Booker Prize-winning sequel, The Testaments by Margaret Atwood, which will now also become a TV show.
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***This article contains spoilers***
June Osbourne/Offred
As The Handmaid's Tale's main characters, fans of the show have a lot to say about June Osbourne's future, and whether she will return to Gilead or not. One fan took to Reddit to share a theory which many other fans agreed with.
'With June and Luke now separated again, I believe that June's focus will shift back to getting close to Hannah once more. The last scene in season 5 suggests that Serena may play an instrumental role in this/season 6 in general. I have no clue what that role will be though.'
'They may work together, or June may potentially sell out Serena/Noah to Gilead in an attempt to get Hannah back, however I don't think this will work, based on the content of Atwood's The Testaments.Regardless I think that it will be a very explosive season. I also don't think that it's going to be a happy ending, as Gilead isn't set to fall for another 15-20 years based on the books.'
Nick Blaine
According to fans of the show, Nick Blaine may die in season six due to his limited screen time in previous seasons, his risky actions (like punching Commander Lawrence) and increasing vulnerability. Although his character stays alive until the end of The Testaments novel, fans are unsure if producers will keep in line with the book's plot, meaning Nick may be set up as a tragic hero who dies before the end of the season.
Serena Joy
As for Serena Joy, given that her character has been offered many opportunities to follow through on a redemption arc, fans are not sold that doing the right thing in season six.
'If she is seeking to reform Gilead she's already lost her redemption. She can't seek it because she can't reform her way out of fascism. So she acts as a warning for those who think they could do that. Accepting the system as what it is and merely going for reform is still complicity in the atrocities,' says one Reddit user.
As for who Serena will wed now that her husband Commander Fred Waterford is dead, fans think that she will marry a new commander, who will be played by Josh Charles.
Janine Lindo
Following Janine's arrest at the end of season five, fans are up in the air as to where Janine will be sent to as a means of punishment, the first being her potentially being shipped off to New Bethlehem. 'I think Aunt Lydia will get Janine a 'break' and get her moved there because she seems to genuinely care for Janine.'
Or, she will be forced to become a Jezebel. 'She is going to be deemed infertile and sent to Jezebels,' said one fan.
Luke Bankole
Finally, many fans believe that Luke and June will separate for good, seeing it as beyond repair. While they appreciate Nick and June's bond, the love triangle feels increasingly toxic, especially with infidelity. Some feel Luke is now useless, while Nick has consistently risked his safety for June, showing more commitment.
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