Alexis Bledel Opens Up About Heart-Wrenching Handmaid’s Tale Storyline in Exclusive Interview
After stepping back from acting, Alexis Bledel participated in a rare interview where she reflected on her final role before her hiatus.
Bledel, now 43, opened up about her experience on The Handmaid’s Tale with The Hollywood Reporter on Thursday, May 22, just before the series finale. She stated, “I was offered the role [of Emily], and upon reading the pilot script, I immediately accepted. It seemed that [creator] Bruce [Miller] recognized I had Ofglen within me.”
Bledel elaborated on the challenging storylines crafted for her character, who endured sexual abuse amidst the turmoil in Gilead. “It was profoundly distressing to even conceive of Emily experiencing such horrors,” she shared. “Being captured and powerless, stripped of autonomy over her body.”
Miller contributed his thoughts on how The Handmaid’s Tale tackled contentious subjects, remarking, “Every time I imagined Hulu would hesitate over a provocative storyline, they did not. This is a narrative rooted in a society built on rape. To be authentic, we have to depict sexual assault as that is integral to the story.”
He further expressed: “I aim to minimize what we see while maximizing what we feel. You don’t need to witness all that happened to poor Emily, but the impact should resonate so profoundly that you feel you’ve seen it.”
Bledel’s insights follow her decision to step away from Hollywood. She previously surprised The Handmaid’s Tale audience when she announced her departure after season 4.
“After much reflection, I realized I needed to step back from The Handmaid’s Tale at this time,” she shared with Variety in a 2022 statement. “I am eternally thankful to [executive producer] Bruce Miller for crafting such genuine and resonant scenes for Emily, and to Hulu, MGM, the cast, and crew for their unwavering support.”
Even though Bledel’s character is no longer on the show, fans are still curious about the possibility of her return before the series finale. Miller touched on this during an interview with Us Weekly in April, joking, “I don’t know who that is… Just kidding.”
Miller sidestepped the direct question but hinted at some surprises. “There are numerous individuals I wish could return,” he added. “We’ve been fortunate with our guest stars, both as individuals and for their wonderful performances. However, I don’t want to spoil anything.”
In addition to her rare interview, Bledel has recently signed on to narrate the audiobook for the 50th anniversary edition of Natalie Babbitt’s novel Tuck Everlasting.
“Revisiting this world has been an incredible experience,” Bledel noted in a statement earlier this month. “Tuck Everlasting holds a cherished place in my heart, having portrayed Winnie Foster in the film years ago. Narrating this beloved tale for its 50th anniversary edition is a fantastic journey back into a story that encourages us to reflect on what it truly means to lead a meaningful life.”
