The Handmaid's Tale fans in tears as June reveal finally confirms fate of Holly

WARNING: This article contains major spoilers from The Handmaid's Tale season 6

The highly anticipated season six of The Handmaid's Tale has finally dropped on Hulu, with fans treated to an initial three episodes.

The 10-part final season follows June Osborne, played by Elisabeth Moss, as she embarks on another perilous bid to bring down the oppressive Gilead regime.

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The first episode concluded with a shocking revelation, as June was reunited with her mother, Holly Maddox, portrayed by Cherry Jones, who had been presumed dead but was actually alive in an Alaskan refugee camp for those fleeing Gilead.

Until now, Holly's fate had been shrouded in mystery, but it transpired that her skills as a doctor had been instrumental in her survival, reports .

On social media, fans were quick to share their reactions to the emotional reunion between June and Holly. One viewer exclaimed on X (formerly ): "OMG June's Mother is alive. It was assumed she had been murdered by #Gilead #TheHandmaidsTale #spoileralert [sic]."

Another fan posted: "No way! ! ! ! No Way! ! ! ! ! It's June.......OMG! ! ! ! 601 ending #TheHandmaidsTale [sic]," accompanied by a GIF of someone crying.

A third enthusiast echoed the sentiment, saying: "Omg the ending of the new episode had me tears #TheHandmaidsTale [sic]" along with another GIF of a tearful person.

A fourth person commented on the platform: "OH MY GOD HOLLY! ! ! ! ! ! ! #thehandmaidstale [sic]," with a crying GIF.

Meanwhile, another viewer simply stated: "June finding her mom in Alaska #TheHandMaidsTale."

What happened to June's mother Holly and how did she survive?

Up until season six, Holly was a minor character in The Handmaid's Tale with June believing her mother had died in the Colonies.

However, this changed in season six when it was confirmed Holly had survived due to being a doctor with her medical expertise keeping her alive.

She was working in the Colonies, where she would have to treat her enemies and watch her friends die.

Eventually, they were liberated by the army and Holly went to the Alaskan refugee camp to find June.

Holly had contacted many NGOs and aid agencies as she was firm in her belief that June had survived Gilead.

A poignant scene saw June reveal that baby Nichole's real name was Holly after her mother.

While June and Holly's reunion sparked joy, fans were less than pleased with Serena Joy (Yvonne Strahovski), who stirred up animosity among the Gilead refugees on their journey to Alaska, putting both her and June's lives at risk.

Serena attempted to build a bond with June, claiming they were both victims of Gilead and now allies.

Adding insult to injury, Serena took it upon herself to care for June's toddler, Nichole, while the weary freedom fighter slept off a severe infection in her broken arm.

Upon waking, a frantic June found Nichole with Serena, who assured her, without a trace of irony, that she wasn't a "Disney villain" planning to steal her child.

Further stoking the flames, once Serena's true identity was revealed, she began to double down on her beliefs and downplay her part in the horrors of Gilead.

Ultimately, Serena was forced to leap from the train with baby Noah.

Viewers were seething with anger towards Serena. One vented: "Idc what "soft sentimental" moment you give Serena, f*** that b****! I feel zero remorse for her.

"They should have beat her a*** and June should have taken her baby so she knows what it's like! #TheHandmaidsTale [sic]."

Another chimed in: "It's Serena asking June some damn "what do you think I'm just gonna steal your daughter?" like this ain't the whole plot of this series for me lmao #TheHandmaidsTale [sic]."

One viewer expressed their strong feelings, writing: "Serena better put that baby down because if I was on the train that b**** would get jumped until she stopped breathing.

"She participated in genocide and literally created Gilead. She deserves the worst death imaginable #TheHandmaidsTale [sic]."

Another fan shared their thoughts, posting: ""Do you think im going to steal your daughter?

"Well Serena past performance does indicate future behavior.... #TheHandmaidsTale [sic]."

Adding to the conversation, another viewer commented: "After all that Serena has done in this series I would be apprehensive as well to let her hold my kid. #TheHandmaidsTale."

The Handmaid’s Tale season 6 airs on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ on Tuesdays in the USA and will be coming to Prime Video on May 3 and later in 2025 in the UK