Series Page

Season 2 – The Handmaid's Tale

Play trailer

1:38

Apr 2018

Drama

Sci-Fi

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

90%

Tomatometer

339 Reviews

83%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

Based on the best-selling novel by Margaret Atwood, this series is set in Gilead, a totalitarian society in what used to be part of the United States. Gilead is ruled by a fundamentalist regime that treats women as property of the state, and is faced with environmental disasters and a plummeting birth rate. In a desperate attempt to repopulate a devastated world, the few remaining fertile women are forced into sexual servitude. One of these women, Offred, is determined to survive the terrifying world she lives in, and find the daughter that was taken from her.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Beautifully shot but dishearteningly relevant, The Handmaid's Tale centers its sophomore season tightly around its compelling cast of characters, making room for broader social commentary through more intimate lenses.

Read Critics Reviews

Andi Zeisler

Bitch Media

03/05/2021

Far more urgent is its reminder that failing to acknowledge a coming storm is a privilege only for those who know they have the power and resources to weather it. If you need to chase each episode with something cheerier, I'm right there with you.

Go to Full Review

Judy Berman

TIME Magazine

12/20/2018

It was mostly an excruciating slog, opening with too many gratuitous scenes of violence against women and culminating in an absurd finale.

Go to Full Review

Emily Yahr

Washington Post

12/19/2018

[It was] a disturbing, gory and riveting second season.

Go to Full Review

Brian T. Carney

Washington Blade

12/07/2022

The strong ensemble cast continues their flawless work. The writing is outstanding and the cinematography is stunning.

Go to Full Review

Poulomi Das

Arré

03/11/2019

The Handmaid's Tale has returned with a searing second season that dwells on how the spirit of Gilead, where women have no control over their bodies, has always been alive in the real world.

Go to Full Review

Cate Young

Nylon

03/10/2019

Once again, The Handmaid's Tale ignores the realities of racial history to tell a colourblind story of struggle that erases the contributions of black and brown women.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Craig B

@Boundsy Jun 17

A very solid series - intriguing storylines and a great cast.

Benjamin H

@RT54005248 Nov 23

Hard-hitting and grim, The Handmaid's Tale continues to provide absorbing and thought-provoking television that looks beautiful, has brilliant performances and develops its rich story and interesting characters in great new ways, even though it does have some issues with flow and certain plot threads.

A.L.Jude P

@judebd Jul 27

No doubt, the story sends shivers down the spine, imagining what might happen if religion delves too deeply into life.

Andrei D

@RT74856639 06/11/2025

The novelty of the setting dissipates and the narrative sometime doesn't really work, moving either too fast or too slow, never giving characters quite enough space

Lane M

@RT31121284 06/03/2025

EXCELLENT SERIES- Gets better and better

Sam G

@RT88876806 05/29/2025

Another wonderful season that follows the themes of Margaret Atwood's work. The only reason why I didn't give a perfect score is because of June deciding to stay in Gilead at the end of the season, but the rest is just incredible.

Read all reviews

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Bruce Miller

Creator

Elisabeth Moss

Offred

Joseph Fiennes

Commander Waterford

Yvonne Strahovski

Serena Joy

Ann Dowd

Aunt Lydia

Samira Wiley

Moira

Episode 1

Aired Apr 25, 2018

June

Offred reckons with the consequences of a dangerous decision while haunted by memories from her past and the violent beginnings of Gilead.

Details

Episode 2

Aired Apr 25, 2018

Unwomen

Offred adjusts to a new way of life; the arrival of an unexpected person disrupts the colonies; a family is torn apart by the rise of Gilead.

Details

Episode 3

Aired May 2, 2018

Baggage

Offred reflects on her relationship with her mother as she navigates her way through Gilead; in Little America, Moira tries to cope with the trauma she endured.

Details

Episode 4

Aired May 9, 2018

Other Women

A baby shower provokes a troubling shift in Offred's relationship with Serena Joy; Offred reckons with the choice she made that led her to become a Handmaid.

Details

Episode 5

Aired May 16, 2018

Seeds

Offred spirals as a Gilead ceremony disrupts her relationship with Nick; Janine tries to adjust to life in the colonies, jeopardizing her friendship with Emily.

Details

Episode 6

Aired May 23, 2018

First Blood

Offred finds unexpected allies and obstacles in her search for a way to protect Hannah; the commander prepares for the dedication of a new Red Center. Nick struggles with his new assignment.

Details

Episode 7

Aired May 30, 2018

After

In order to protect her family, Serena Joy makes a dangerous choice; Moira searches for someone from her past.

Details

Episode 8

Aired Jun 6, 2018

Women's Work

A sick baby tests Offred and Serena; Janine finally faces Naomi.

Details

Episode 9

Aired Jun 13, 2018

Smart Power

The Waterfords embark on a diplomatic trip abroad; Serena faces the temptation of life outside Gilead; Luke and Moira grapple with survivor's guilt; Offred seeks support from allies.

Details

Episode 10

Aired Jun 20, 2018

The Last Ceremony

A frustrated Serena becomes desperate; the Commander tries to make amends with Offred; Nick pushes Eden farther away; Offred is faced with an unexpected reunion.

Details

Episode 11

Aired Jun 27, 2018

Holly

Offred faces a grueling challenge alone as she recalls her life as a mother; Serena Joy and the Commander deal with the fallout of their actions toward Offred.

Details

Episode 12

Aired Jul 4, 2018

Postpartum

Offred is sent to a familiar place; Emily is assigned to a mysterious new house.

Details

Episode 13

Aired Jul 11, 2018

The Word

Serena and the other wives strive to make change; Emily learns more about her new Commander; Offred faces a difficult decision.

Details

Nine Perfect Strangers

52%

50%

Nine Perfect Strangers

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Nine Perfect Strangers

The First

66%

74%

The First

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The First

The Path

77%

79%

The Path

Watchlist

Chance

75%

87%

Chance

Watchlist

Reprisal

53%

80%

Reprisal

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Reprisal

Discover more movies and TV shows.

8 TV Shows You Should Binge-Watch This April

13 TV Shows You Should Binge-Watch This June

2019 Directors Guild Awards Nominations Announced

The Handmaid's Tale: Season 2 Featurette - Score Recording