‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Season 4: How Long Is Each Episode?

'The Handmaid's Tale' Season 4 is finally here with 10 new episodes. Here, we break down every title, its runtime, and what fans can expect to see from new characters. Don't worry, not too many spoilers here.

by Kelli Boyle

Published on May 1, 2021

2 min read

Praise be, there are finally new episodes of The Handmaid’s Tale. The Elisabeth Moss-led Hulu original debuted its first three episodes of season 4 early on April 27, much to the delight of fans. This season consists of 10 episodes. But how long will each of them be? Here, we break down each episode’s runtime so you have a glimpse of what to expect this season.

[Minor spoilers for The Handmaid’s Tale Season 4 ahead.]

Elisabeth Moss as June Osborne and Madeline Brewer as Janine in red Handmaids robes and white bonnets in 'The Handmaid's Tale' Season 4 Episode 4, 'Milk' — Elisabeth Moss as June Osborne and Madeline Brewer as Janine in ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Season 4 Episode 4, ‘Milk’ | Hulu

When do new episodes of ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ come out?

The last time fans had new episodes of the Emmy-winning drama, it was 2019. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic made the show halt production for six months. Moss, who directed three episodes of season 4, had just started working on her directorial debut (episode 3, “The Crossing”) when production shut down.

“I chose to direct episode 3 — that was going to be my directorial debut before COVID-19 and started it,” she told Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show. “Then we shut down for six months, went back, and then, all of a sudden, I did that episode. I did two more. I did episodes 8 and 9.”

Hulu announced the show was renewed through season 5 in December 2020, and season 4 finally debuted on April 27. New episodes will debut every Wednesday on the streaming service through June 16, barring any delays in post-production.

Yvonne Strahovski as Serena Joy Waterford in ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Season 4 Episode 2, “Nightshade.” — Yvonne Strahovski as Serena Joy Waterford | Sophie Giraud/Hulu

How long is each episode of ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Season 4?

Screeners of the new season provided to Showbiz Cheat Sheet reveal the length of the first eight episodes. The average length of each episode is about 48 minutes. While every episode of The Handmaid’s Tale is a doozy, the most pivotal ones this season are the longest. It’s safe to assume the last two episodes will err on the longer side.

Here’s the length of the first eight episodes of The Handmaid’s Tale Season 4:

“Pigs”: 54 minutes

“Nightshade”: 46 minutes

“The Crossing”: 61 minutes

“Milk”: 46 minutes

“Chicago”: 42 minutes

“Vows”: 37 minutes

“Home”: 44 minutes

“Testimony”: 54 minutes

The titles of the last two episodes of season four are “Progress” and “The Wilderness.”

Two of the handmaids running along train tracks in 'The Handmaid's Tale' Season 4 — ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Season 4 | Hulu

New characters in ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Season 4

Fans can expect to see some captivating new characters this season. Mckenna Grace plays Mrs. Esther Keyes, a 14-year-old wife of a commander in Gilead. Her character is meant to shock fans with yet another atrocity committed by Gilead’s oppressive regime.

Sam Jaeger’s Mark Tuello has been bumped up to a series regular. While he showed a soft spot for Serena Joy in season 3, he has run out of slack for her in season 4. This is the result of him learning of the crimes against humanity she committed in Gilead of her own volition.

Trailers for season 4 also revealed Serena Joy is pregnant. That will complicate everyone’s lives moving forward, as it proves Gilead’s attempts to improve fertility are working.

Overall, fans can expect the most action-packed season of The Handmaid’s Tale yet.