The Handmaid’s Tale: Alexis Bledel Leaves Before Season 5

Alexis Bledel will not be returning in Season 5 of The Handmaid’s Tale diversity only learned.

Bledel, who has played the key character of Emily/Ofglen on the Hulu drama since the first season debuted in 2017, said in a statement Friday, “After much thought, I felt like I pulled away from ‘The Handmaid’s Tale.’ had to withdraw 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.”

During her four-year stint on The Handmaid’s Tale, Bledel received four Emmy nominations and one win for her role in the Bruce Miller-created television adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s legendary novel.

Aside from The Handmaid’s Tale, Bledel is best known for her starring role as Rory Gilmore opposite Lauren Graham’s Lorelai Gilmore in Gilmore Girls and the revival of Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, as well as for her roles in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” and “Mad Men”.

Airing in its fourth season from April to June 2021, The Handmaid’s Tale follows June (Elisabeth Moss) as a fierce rebel leader strikes back against Gilead, but the risks she takes bring unexpected and dangerous new challenges. Her quest for justice and revenge threatens to consume her and destroy her most precious relationships.

Bledel’s Emily, an escaped maid and refugee in Canada known as Ofglen while still under Gilead’s rule, was last seen in the season four finale of The Handmaid’s Tale, in which her character mingles with June and others former maids allies themselves to avenge Gilead.

Joining Moss and Bledel in season four of The Handmaid’s Tale are Joseph Fiennes, Yvonne Strahovski, Samira Wiley, Ann Dowd, Max Minghella, Madeline Brewer, OT Fagbenle, Amanda Brugel, Bradley Whitford and Sam Jaeger.

The series is executive produced by Miller, Warren Littlefield, Moss, Daniel Wilson, Fran Sears, Eric Tuchman, John Weber, Frank Siracusa, Sheila Hockin, Kira Snyder and Yahlin Chang.

The Handmaid’s Tale is produced by MGM Television and distributed internationally by MGM.