As The Handmaid’s Tale prepares to conclude with its sixth and final season, star Elisabeth Moss is opening up about how becoming a mother has transformed her understanding of her iconic character, June Osborne. The 42-year-old actress, who quietly welcomed her first child last year, revealed at the show’s Los Angeles premiere on April 2 that motherhood has made her emotional connection to June’s fight for her children even more profound.
“It’s impossible not to identify more with it,” Moss told reporters. “It’s definitely a more emotional experience as opposed to maybe a little bit more intellectual.” The Emmy-winning actress, who announced her pregnancy during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! last year, admitted that her personal journey into parenthood has given her a visceral reaction to June’s struggles. “Yeah, it’s impossible to not feel a more visceral reaction,” she added.
Moss also shared her pride in how the dystopian drama, based on Margaret Atwood’s bestselling novel, wraps up its story. “I really am [proud]. Everybody really, honestly, everybody left everything on the dance floor,” she said, praising the cast and crew for bringing their “A-game” to the final episodes. She highlighted the last two installments in particular, noting the team’s dedication to making them as powerful as possible. “It was so important to [everyone] to make those last two episodes the best they could possibly be. And you can feel it. I think you can see it on the screen.”
Beyond the narrative itself, Moss hopes the series—which has resonated deeply in today’s political climate—leaves audiences with a sense of hope. “I hope it gives some inspiration. I think June is a very inspiring character. She’s so brave. She inspires me,” Moss reflected. “So, I just hope that someone somewhere takes that home with them, and it helps them in any way.”
As The Handmaid’s Tale comes to an end, Moss’s personal and professional journeys have intertwined, offering her a new lens through which to view June’s resilience—and leaving fans eager to see how the story concludes.
