‘The Handmaid’s Tale’: Elisabeth Moss Thinks June’s ‘Connection’ With Nick Is More Unique Than Her Relationship With Luke

The love triangle trope can often be overused or cliché in fiction. However, the romantic storylines in The Handmaid’s Tale on Hulu serve a larger purpose. In The Handmaid’s Tale, June Osborne (Elisabeth Moss) finds herself in a love triangle between her lover in Gilead, Nick Blaine (Max Minghella), and her husband, Luke Bankole (O-T Fagbenle).

Not only do the romantic scenes in The Handmaid’s Tale give a much-needed reprieve to viewers, but they also present fans with an interesting dichotomy of June’s evolution as a character. Luke represents June’s past life as a traditional woman and mother, while Nick is a reflection of June’s transformation into a soldier and rebellion leader.

As season 4 of The Handmaid’s Tale heats up, it seems June might be in the position to make a definitive choice between Nick and Luke. While Moss refuses to give away what happens, she did admit that there is something special about June and Nick’s relationship.

[Spoiler Alert: This article contains spoilers for season 4 episode 6 of The Handmaid’s Tale.]

Elisabeth Moss once refused to pick between her two ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ co-stars

After season 4 of The Handmaid’s Tale premiered on Hulu, some cast members sat down for an interview with Rotten Tomatoes. During the interview, the actors were asked if they are Team Luke or Team Nick. 

In addition to playing the lead character, Moss is a producer and director on the show. Speaking with Rotten Tomatoes, she disclosed that she has an idea of how the love triangle might end.

“I mean, look. I do have an idea as a producer of where I think it has to go, but that is no reflection upon either of these gentlemen,” Moss shared.

Because of her involvement with The Handmaid’s Tale, Moss refused to pick between Nick and Luke.

“… as their friend, co-worker, and sometimes boss, I’m not at liberty to choose,” she said.

Elisabeth Moss thinks Nick and June have a special ‘connection’ in ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’

Because June is so different with each man, it is hard to compare the relationships Nick and Luke have with June. Both men are fathers to June’s two daughters, and both have shown that they will never give up on their love for June.

While some might assume that Nick and June’s relationship would not survive outside of Gilead, the show has demonstrated that Nick and June’s love for one another runs deeper than a temporary affair.

In an interview with Forbes, Moss shared that she thinks Nick and June have a unique “connection” because of their time in Gilead.

“I mean, I don’t want to spoil anything but I do think that she and Nick have a connection from what they’ve been through in Gilead that is very difficult to replicate,” Moss said.

What Elisabeth Moss thinks of June and Luke’s relationship

In the series, June and Luke have been separated for over half a decade. At the end of season 4 episode 6 of The Handmaid’s Tale, June finally escapes to Canada, and the two reunite.

As much as fans might want a happy ending between Luke and June, Moss hinted that this might not be possible, at least not without a lot of work.

“She loves Luke very much but she’s not the same woman she was when she married him and it’s going to be very hard to go back to that,” she told Forbes. “I think the only thing that she’s truly focusing on now is the safety of her children and getting Hannah back to her father.”

New episodes of The Handmaid’s Tale premiere every Wednesday on Hulu.