Why June and Hannah’s Reunification Was Hidden in The Handmaid’s Tale Finale

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In conclusion to “The Handmaid’s Tale” series on Hulu, its creator clarified the fate of June’s daughter Hannah, portrayed by Jordana Blake. In the gripping final episode, Elizabeth Moss’ character June was prominently featured one last time. A key aspect of this closing chapter for the long-running television character involved flashbacks to her interactions with her estranged daughter (currently residing in Colorado with Jason Butler Harner’s Commander Mackenzie), before the emergence of Gilead. However, it remained ambiguous in the current timeline if June and Hannah ever had another reunion.

Following the final episode of “The Handmaid’s Tale” series, its creator Yahlin Chang shared insights on why June and Hannah didn’t meet up by the show’s end. One major factor, according to Chang, was the adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s follow-up novel, “The Testaments,” which played a significant role in this narrative decision.

According to reports from The Hollywood Reporter, it’s been confirmed that although Hannah didn’t meet her mother in the original series, she will reappear in the new Testaments series on Hulu.

As per Chang’s explanation, the progression of the series significantly impacted why Hannah and June couldn’t reunite in the main storyline of “The Handmaid’s Tale.

As a movie enthusiast, I recently learned something fascinating. In a chat with The Los Angeles Times, creator Chang revealed that the scene where June records a monologue about all the recent events was actually intended to be the second-to-last scene, not the last one. This has led some viewers to speculate that the mother-daughter reunion was initially envisioned as the show’s grand finale, but things changed along the way.

As a movie enthusiast, I’d rephrase it as follows: “Initially, Bruce intended the climactic scene to be second-to-last, but it transformed into the final showdown. This was because, in my mind, June was narrating the tale not only to herself but primarily for Hannah, and that the entire series we’ve been following has essentially been Hannah’s story unfolding.

Yet, she pointed out that they were unable to reunite June and Hannah due to the constraints posed by “The Testaments.”

She mentioned that the circumstances imposed by “The Testaments” left them powerless to join June and Hannah.

Since we were constrained by circumstances due to ‘The Testaments,’ a challenge we grappled with deeply – me in particular – in not delivering what both the public and I desired, the concept of June sharing her story with Hannah became incredibly moving emotionally.

Chang explained that there’s another installment centered around Hannah, which means her story doesn’t necessarily need to be wrapped up in the primary series.

It seems that Bruce might not have been as concerned about not meeting Hannah, given that there’s an upcoming sequel primarily centered around her. Moreover, Lizzie played a significant role in shaping the script, particularly the scene between June and Holly (played by Cherry Jones), which eventually developed into a scene where Holly expresses, “This story is for those who have lost their children and haven’t been reunited; it’s dedicated to them.

Emphasizing further exploration of the storyline in “The Testaments”, Chang explained to The Hollywood Reporter that while we wished for June to be reunited with Hannah, “Margaret Atwood wrote a sequel” and there was another television series already underway.

As a devoted cinephile, I yearned for June and Hannah’s reunion more than words can express. The story I envisioned had to lead them there, but life, as it often does, threw us a curveball. Margaret penned a sequel, and another TV production began simultaneously. With those unforeseen circumstances, our creative freedom was limited, leaving us unable to fulfill the heartfelt desire of reuniting June and Hannah on screen. That challenge, more than any other, tested our resolve.

Besides those on-camera, many others have been conversing off-screen about Hannah and June’s inability to reconnect in the primary series.

Star Elizabeth Moss has mentioned this topic frequently after the show concluded. In an interview with Variety, she suggested that fans who are disappointed about their characters not meeting one last time in “The Handmaid’s Tale” should consider reaching out to Margaret Atwood since it was the publication of her sequel novel in 2019 that postponed their reunion.

Discuss with Margaret Atwood about the continuation of her story after ‘The Testaments’. Since the book’s release, we’ve been aware that it wasn’t an ending, which was a decision made by Margaret that we adhered to. I can’t say for certain if we would have proceeded without ‘The Testaments’, but it’s hard for me to imagine it any other way. In my opinion, the absence of ‘The Testaments’ would have resulted in a significantly different experience for me.

She mentioned that it was crucial for them to remain faithful to Margaret’s actions, yet at the same time, find a way to acknowledge Hannah’s influence in the finale.

Our predicament involved staying faithful to Margaret’s actions while also acknowledging Hannah’s presence. There isn’t anyone more cognizant of the audience’s yearning for June to reunite with Hannah than me; it’s the most frequent request I receive. It’s not just a desire, but a demand. For years, I’ve carried this question with me, and I understand the emotions behind it when someone asks, ‘When will she get her daughter back?’ However, it’s important to note that such an event does not occur in Margaret’s sequel.

In a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, both Moss and Bruce Miller, the showrunner from the initial five seasons, revealed their intention to bring Hannah back for the final episode. However, they lamented that we did not get to witness the interaction between Hannah and June during this climactic scene.

Miller admitted, “I hope June does get Hannah back,” but knew this was not the time to do it:

Wow, indeed! Yes, it’s true. One thing I’ve consistently felt is that the little girl resembles her so much. From the start, our discussions revolved around developing Naomi and Janine to this point. We wanted to get to a stage where Naomi recognizes one key trait about Janine: her toughness, which is crucial when she returns her daughter. Now, I truly wish June gets Hannah back. However, I’m also hoping that viewers see this as a fitting conclusion for Janine’s story – one she deserves. It’s hard to imagine not being able to collaborate with or see Maddie Brewer daily anymore.

He also noted that he expects June to appear in “The Testaments” and continues with her activities as depicted in “The Handmaid’s Tale.

It’s nice to have such a hopeful thought. I’m hoping she will join us as well. She’s continuing her role in ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’, just like before. Luke and Moira are somewhere out there, keeping the bell ringing for Hannah’s return. Watching ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ gives you a sense of a vast network of people who care deeply and risk everything to be reunited with their loved ones. This is something the characters in ‘The Testaments’ don’t fully grasp, but if you’ve watched ‘Handmaid’s’, you know that such an operation exists. So, is June shaping ‘The Testaments’? Most definitely.

Following six seasons (spanning approximately eight years), the acclaimed series “The Handmaid’s Tale” has concluded, making all episodes available on Hulu for streaming. In this final season, Elizabeth Moss reprised her role as June, a fierce revolutionary who battles against a system that forces fertile women into slavery for reproduction purposes under the control of a totalitarian regime.

It’s great news! Although the primary series has concluded, there’s more to look forward to as a new sequel titled The Testaments, inspired by Margaret Atwood’s 2019 book with the same name, is in development by MGM and Hulu.

Does June Get Hannah Back in the Book?

For those eagerly waiting to find out how the relationship between Hannah and June unfolds, there are several sources available that could potentially shed light on their future interactions.

In the original “Handmaid’s Tale” novel, much like in the TV series, June’s story concludes with a similar outcome. The character Hannah is only briefly mentioned towards the end of the book, and unfortunately, June doesn’t get to meet Hannah again. Instead, she chooses to persist in her ongoing resistance movement, aiming to create a better future for her eldest daughter.

Yet, in “The Testaments,” there’s a shift. This time, the narrative focuses on June’s daughter, Hannah, one of the younger females residing in Gilead during the novel’s 2019 setting.

15 years on from the initial story, we find ourselves delving into the life of Hannah, who has adopted the name Agnes. She finds herself drawn into the resistance movement that her mother was deeply connected with, striving persistently to overthrow the oppressive regime they faced.

In the storyline, it’s revealed that Hannah eventually reunites with her mother, June, after a damaging scandal involving Gilead’s ruling class, exposed by sources across the border, leads to their downfall.

In America, as Gilead collapses and liberty resurfaces, June and Hannah share another heartfelt moment, savoring the rewards of their tireless revolutionary efforts.

If the TV series adaptation of the sequel book closely mirrors its events, it is likely that a reunion scene between characters may be portrayed on screen. This could provide Offred, played by Elisabeth Moss in “The Handmaid’s Tale,” with the long-awaited mother-daughter moment (for more information about “The Testaments”, click here).

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2025-05-28 20:37