‘The Handmaid's Tale’ Actor Yvonne Strahovski Confesses It's Hard Saying Bye to Serena Joy

“I thought I was going to be okay letting Serena Joy go, but as we neared the end, I realized how much grief I truly had to let her go,” The Handmaid’s Tale actor Yvonne Strahovski tells L’OFFICIEL. After nearly 10 years of portraying Serena Joy—a complex and villainous character (more on that later)—she's grown attached to her in a unique way.

With the Australian actor serving as a vessel for the character, she says she feels an undeniable link to Serena that is what brings out this complicated response as Season 6 (the final one) has started airing on Hulu. The series is based on the titular novel written by Margaret Atwood, originally published in 1985. The story is set in New England under a patriarchal, totalitarian, theonomic state called the Republic of Gilead as a result of overthrowing the government. Atwood’s dystopian work was adapted to the screen under the direction of Mike Barker and Bruce Miller’s writing, and the series debuted in 2017. Eight years later, it has continued to resonate with audiences thanks to its radical storyline, striking performances by every actor, and its eerie correlation to the real-world political landscape. 

“I feel so lucky to have been trusted with such an incredible character,” the Handmaid’s Tale continues, reflecting on her time as the character who is stuck living as a vessel of the fictional world's oppressive side. “She saw me through so much personal change and growth, and I think we learned a lot from each other. I’ll miss her deeply," alluding to the way this role required her to transcended entertainment and explore relationships of complicity and capitulation through her performance.

Few other characters have left fans with internal struggles like Strahovski’s character has. Serena Joy is the wife and widow of Commander Fred Waterford, portrayed by Joseph Fiennes, and June Osborne’s former master, portrayed by the incomparable Elisabeth Moss, with whom Strahovski has electrifying chemistry. Osborne is the Waterfords’ handmaid who was assigned to them to help them conceive a child, as Serena is supposedly unable to conceive herself.

“I never thought the novel slash show would become so very relevant in the USA,” Strahovski says. “It is unnerving, and I’m proud to be part of something that will remain very meaningful to people around the world.” 

The The Handmaid’s Tale initially premiered during President Donald Trump’s first term, and at the time, the nature of Atwood’s work and the show’s storyline felt aligned with what was going on in the present day. Fast forward to 2025, as the series reaches an ending, a similar harrowing reality looms over the country during his second presidential term as reproductive rights, among many others, are attacked in unprecedented ways.

The actor has been vocal about her personal struggle with Serena, saying that sometimes playing a character that makes inhumane decisions is baffling to her. Coming home after a long day of having to grapple with Serena, she told L’OFFICIEL that spending extra time on her skincare is one way she likes to unwind. 

“I don’t get much time to myself with three boys at home (and a boy husband), but what I do get to do after [leaving] set is use my Sahajan products to clean my face after a long day,” Strahovski says. “Starting with the Essential Cleansing Oil which is amazing for removing makeup, followed by the Balance Toner which is great for further cleansing and evening tone, and the Radiance Facial Serum, my very favorite product from the line, as well as the Nourish Crème Riche moisturizer, both are the absolute best for renewing my skin for the next and making it look amazing.”

Strahovski may have believed she was ready to let Serena go, but as the series wrapped, she found herself struggling to say goodbye. Irregardless of the character she plays, bidding adieu to the cast and TV show that's marked such a significant time in her life comes with its challenges.

The first three episodes of The Handmaid’s Tale Season 6 premiered Tuesday, April 8 on Hulu. New episodes will follow every Tuesday until the May 27 finale.