‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Season 4: What’s Next for Rita? Amanda Brugel Teases Her Character’s New Journey

The Handmaid’s Tale Season 4 has officially begun, and fans are itching to find out what’s next for Rita (Amanda Brugel). Here’s what happened to the character in the first four episodes and what Brugel says about Rita moving forward.

[Spoiler alert: This article contains spoilers from The Handmaid’s Tale Season 4 Episodes 1-4.]

What happened to Rita in ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Season 4 (so far)?

Rita was the Waterfords’ Martha for the first three seasons of The Handmaid’s Tale. Then in the third season finale, Rita escaped from Gilead to Canada alongside 86 children.

At the start of The Handmaid’s Tale Season 4, Rita began exploring her new life and freedom. But subtle moments showed the character was still adjusting. In the second episode, “Nightshade,” Moira (Samira Wiley) reminded Rita that she could say “no” to Luke’s (O. T. Fagbenle) requests if she wanted to. 

“Free means you’re free to say no,” Moira said.

Then in The Handmaids’ Tale Season 4 Episode 4, “Milk,” Moira told Rita there was no record of her family in any refugee camp databases. So for now, Rita is alone. 

Meanwhile, Rita reunited with Serena Joy (Yvonne Strahovski) and Fred (Joseph Fiennes) separately. During their conversation, Serena revealed she was pregnant with a baby boy, and it was a secret kept from Fred. Then when Rita expressed some joy, Serena seemingly thought Rita would be willing to defend her in court against Fred. But in response, Rita visited Fred and told him about the pregnancy, thoroughly telling the Waterfords she didn’t want to be in their mess.

“You deal with your family,” Rita told Fred. “It’s not my job anymore, and I thank god for that every day. I’ll pray for your son.”

Amanda Brugel says Rita will ‘struggle’ in ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Season 4

When speaking with Entertainment Tonight Canada about The Handmaid’s Tale Season 4, Brugel opened up about what’s next for Rita. The actor promised viewers will get the chance to see a lot more from her character. 

“From Rita, we see a softer side of her underbelly. She’s usually quite stoic and very quiet,” Brugel said. “You get to hear her voice a lot more this season, which I love.”

That said, The Handmaid’s Tale star revealed Rita will struggle as she adjusts to her new life in Canada.

“She’s struggling with the idea that she’s free and is supposed to be happy. But at the same time, she’s lost purpose,” Brugel explained. “In Gilead, she had structure, she had a home. Now, she’s alone in Canada. Free, but void of any of the familiarities that she had, void of her job. So there’s a struggle this season with her.”

Amanda Brugel teases ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Season 4

For now, The Handmaid’s Tale fans will have to watch how Rita moves forward in season 4. But given her ability to say “no” to Fred and Serena, many fans are hoping the character will grow more than struggle. 

Meanwhile, it seems Rita’s storyline isn’t the only one making progress in The Handmaid’s Tale Season 4. Still speaking with Entertainment Tonight Canada, Brugel teased what fans can expect next.

“They can expect a faster, higher, more aggressive pace this season,” Brugel said. “It moves. She moves, and she moves quick. I think that fans can finally expect a payoff for some of the people in Gilead to face punishment or to face what they’ve done to all these women.”

The Handmaid’s Tale Season 4 is on Hulu.