Emmy-winning actress Samira Wiley officially closed the book during her time in Gilead! After portraying the fierce and resilient Moira in Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale for six gripping seasons, Wiley has confirmed she will not be returning for the highly anticipated sequel series The Testaments—and the reason is as real as it gets.
“I’m not gonna tease and say ‘maybe’ or nothing. Nope. I am done with it. I am done with the trauma. I am. I mean it,” Wiley told Parade at the Season 6 premiere party, making it crystal clear that her journey in Margaret Atwood’s harrowing world has come to an end.
Based on Atwood’s award-winning novels, The Handmaid’s Tale has never shied away from its dark, dystopian roots, forcing its characters—and viewers—into the emotional trenches of totalitarian Gilead.
Wiley’s character, Moira, escaped that world only to continue fighting from the outside as an advocate, rebel, and moral compass. But for the actress, stepping into that role wasn’t just a matter of memorizing lines—it was an emotional experience that required real-life coping strategies.
“I had to learn some techniques—meditation and mindfulness and all of those things—to consciously take myself out of the world of Gilead,” Wiley shared, candidly acknowledging the toll the show’s intense subject matter took on her. “I often tell people who binge-watch the show, like, please take care of your mental health.”
As for the sixth and final season of The Handmaid’s Tale, which premiered on Hulu today, the stakes remain as high as ever.
The story resumes with June (Elisabeth Moss) and Serena (Yvonne Strahovski) aboard a refugee train bound for the uncertain refuge of Alaska or Hawaii—any place far from the reach of Gilead’s grip.
According to the official synopsis, this closing chapter centers on June’s unrelenting quest to dismantle the oppressive regime. Alongside Luke (O.T. Fagbenle) and Moira, the resistance gains momentum.
Meanwhile, Serena seeks to reform Gilead’s ideology from within, Commander Lawrence (Bradley Whitford) and Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd) wrestle with the consequences of their actions, and Nick (Max Minghella) is pushed to the edge by moral conflict.
“This final chapter of June’s journey highlights the importance of hope, courage, solidarity, and resilience in the pursuit of justice and freedom,” Hulu’s synopsis reads.
While Moira’s arc may be complete, Wiley’s performance has left an indelible mark on the series and its fans. Her portrayal of a survivor-turned-fighter offered a rare kind of hope amid the darkness—something that won’t soon be forgotten.
And as for Samira Wiley? She’s already writing her next chapter—one that’s free of trauma and full of promise.
