‘Handmaid’s Tale’ Season 2 Sets Alexis Bledel’s Return, More 2018 Details

Like some of TV’s best book adaptations, Hulu’s Handmaid’s Tale covered the lion’s share of source material in Season 1, and now eyes a new Tale in Season 2. As such, Alexis Bledel’s already-expanded role will become series regular when The Handmaid’s Tale returns in 2018.

Hulu made the announcement ahead of a fall production date for The Handmaid’s Tale Season 2, which itself will premiere in 2018. Bledel’s role as “Ofglen” (real name: Emily) was announced late into Season 1 promotion, though the character was greatly-expanded from her role in the original Margaret Atwood novel, and ultimately given an ambiguous exit.

Considering Season 1 ended with Offred (Elisabeth Moss) taken to parts unknown over charges of insubordination, it seems likely Season 2 will reveal where wayward handmaids are sent; thus explaining Bledel’s full-fledged return. As The Hollywood Reporter also notes, Bledel’s elevated Handmaid’s Tale role casts further doubt on more Netflix Gilmore Girls, which was already a remote possibility.

We’ll likely hear more before The Handmaid’s Tale Season 2 goes into production this fall, but you might want to stock up on tissues in the meantime. Those Ofglen episodes were a killer.