“She Was Never Meant to Disappear — Why Elisabeth Moss’s Return in The Testaments May Be the Twist Fans Never Saw Coming”
No role has defined Elisabeth Moss more deeply than June Osborne in The Handmaid’s Tale — and as the critically acclaimed series wrapped up its final chapter, the question hanging in the air was this: could June return in the new spin-off, The Testaments?
While the finale gives June a triumphant send-off, it deliberately leaves one major plot thread dangling: her daughter Hannah, now known as Agnes, remains in the grip of Gilead. Though June has seemingly found peace after years of pain, the fire inside her still burns. The decision to keep fighting suggests her story is far from over. And with The Testaments set 15 years after the events of the original show, the chance for June to return — even briefly — feels not just possible, but essential.
Based on Margaret Atwood’s sequel novel, The Testaments, the new spin-off focuses on a new generation in Gilead. One of the book’s three central characters is Agnes, June’s daughter, whose arc practically demands a future reunion. Though producers remain quiet about Elisabeth Moss’s involvement, her behind-the-scenes role as executive producer all but guarantees a creative hand in shaping the series. Whether that manifests as a brief appearance, a flashback, or a crucial turning point is unknown.
The end of The Handmaid’s Tale saw Boston liberated and key Commanders brought down, all while June confronted her deepest traumas and forgave even those who once betrayed her. Writing her memoir became a symbolic full-circle moment, signaling both closure and legacy. But if June’s promise to find Hannah is to mean anything, her return — even in a flashback or cameo — could bring a critical emotional payoff.
Meanwhile, confirmed returning characters for The Testaments are scarce. Ann Dowd’s Aunt Lydia will return as a central figure, her character’s transformation into a rebel insider a major arc in the sequel. However, fan favorites Moira (Samira Wiley) and Serena Joy (Yvonne Strahovski) will not return. Wiley has openly stated she is “done with the trauma,” and Strahovski’s arc concluded definitively in the finale.
So where does that leave June? Showrunner Bruce Miller and Atwood haven’t confirmed anything, but Moss’s production credit, combined with her deep connection to the role, leaves the door slightly ajar. She may not headline the new series, but even a short appearance would offer a powerful bridge between the past and future of Gilead.
Ultimately, The Testaments doesn’t need June to succeed — but her presence, even fleeting, could give the audience a final, cathartic resolution. After all, June’s journey wasn’t just about survival. It was about a promise, a daughter, and a fight that still hasn’t ended.
