Fans of The Handmaid’s Tale have just received shocking news. Alexis Bledel, who has played Emily/Ofglen since season 1, is leaving the show before Season 5. Although parts of Season 5 have already filmed, the show is still in production.
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Bledel Said She’s Stepping Away ‘At This Time’
According to Variety, Bledel said in a statement, “After much thought, I felt I had to step away from ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ at this time. I am forever grateful to Bruce Miller for writing such truthful and resonant scenes for Emily, and to Hulu, MGM, the cast and crew for their support.”
It’s not clear if we won’t see Bledel at any point in Season 5. Variety reported that she “will not return for The Handmaid’s Tale Season 5,” but her statement simply said she is stepping away. Her statement was released partway through filming Season 5, and some photos from filming locations seemed to indicate that at least one scene was already filmed at Emily’s house.
The series last aired in the spring and early summer of 2021. Her character was seen in the season 4 finale.
Bledel won an Emmy for her role on “The Handmaid’s Tale,” along with four Emmy nominations, Variety reported.
According to IMDb, Bledel already has a new project she’s working on. She will be reviving her role as Lena for “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 3.” The movie was announced a while back, however, and filming hasn’t yet started. Bledel confirmed the movie back in 2020.
Fans Are Sad, But Some Believe Her Storyline Has Been Completed
Fans are sad about Bledel’s departure, but they’re trying to find silver linings now that she’s gone.
On Reddit, NightingaleFlower wrote, “I do love Emily, but she seemed left on the sidelines of the very large roster of Gilead refugees-in-Canada characters that they probably want to trim down. Her own personal life has mostly been resolved and with the end of last season her story was mostly complete (the only thing would be going after the one Commander she had after getting arrested for her affair and before getting arrested for murder).”
Other fans are just sad. Alauren2 wrote, “Damn she’s my favorite character. Her story killed me at first. When she got to Canada I felt all the feels.”
Atelierjoh wrote, “Yeah, I’ve been mostly engrossed in Emily’s story out of everyone so this is a bummer. But I like the actor and wish nothing but the best for her.”
Blueydoc wrote, “I just spotted this on Google and then came here to see if it was posted. I’ll be bummed not to have Emily next season but I hope they don’t do anything drastic. I’d like there to be an opening for her to return.”
Other fans expressed confusion, because the show has been filming since January and they thought that Emily was in some of the scenes. We’ll have to wait and see what happens, it appears.
There have already been rumors, as Post Apocalyptic Media previously reported, that season 5 might be the show’s last season. The good news is that a spinoff is already being planned based on Atwood’s sequel “The Testaments,” so if the main series ends, it won’t be the last story from this universe.
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