This time last year, we were getting ready for the third season of The Handmaid’s Tale. When will the fourth season premiere on Hulu?

This time last year, we were all getting ready for The Handmaid’s Tale Season 3. That’s not the case for Season 4. Hulu’s June releases made it clear that the fourth season isn’t premiering.

When can we expect the fourth season of the dystopian tale? Is there hope for it by the end of the year?

The Handmaid’s Tale Season 4 hasn’t filmed

The initial plan was for The Handmaid’s Tale Season 4 to premiere in the fall, according to Collider. That’s not the case now. Filming was set to begin in March 2020 and run throughout the spring and summer. I’m sure you can all guess what has happened.

Filming had to be put on hold after just two weeks of starting. Yes, you can thank the coronavirus for that. The whole of Ontario is in an emergency state, although the province is slowly opening. Toronto is the hardest area hit, so filming might be off for a little while longer.

Once filming can happen, we can expect the cast and crew to get back to work. With it taking about six months at the very least to film, we’re not looking at the fourth season premiering any time soon.

The Handmaid’s Tale

Expect a 2021 date on Hulu

By the time the show can film, we’re getting towards the summer of 2020. That means we shouldn’t expect the season to air until January 2021 at the earliest. It could be later.

It’s a shame, but it’s better that everyone remains healthy and safe.

One thing to keep in mind for The Handmaid’s Tale Season 4 is that Elisabeth Moss is directing. She’s directing the third episode, which is going to be the first to film to make sure she has plenty of time to prepare. This is her directorial debut, so it will be exciting to see how it all plays out.

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What do you hope to see on The Handmaid’s Tale Season 4? What questions do you have after the third season finale? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

The Handmaid’s Tale Seasons 1 to 3 are available on Hulu in the United States and Crave in Canada.