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Hulu’s dystopian series, The Handmaid’s Tale, tells the story of June Osborne and her experience as a handmaid in Gilead. Season 4 showed June’s journey out of Gilead to freedom — and what it meant for Serena Joy and Fred Waterford. Now, new photos for The Handmaid’s Tale Season 5 have officially been released. And one of the photos might give a major clue about Serena Joy moving forward.

‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Season 5 photos show June Osborne and Serena Joy Waterford

Serena Joy Waterford from 'The Handmaid's Tale' Season 5 looking at her pregnant and clothed belly in 'The Handmaid's Tale' Season 4
Serena Waterford, played by Yvonne Strahovski | Sophie Giraud/Hulu

The Handmaid’s Tale Season 5 will show the aftermath of June (played by Elisabeth Moss) and the other Gilead escapees killing Commander Fred Waterford. Season 4 showed the women viciously attacking Fred after letting him run into the woods at night. A new synopsis from Hulu for the next season now shows there may be consequences for those actions.

“June faces consequences for killing Commander Waterford while struggling to redefine her identity and purpose,” TV Insider notes the Hulu synopsis reads. “The widowed Serena attempts to raise her profile in Toronto as Gilead’s influence creeps into Canada.” Additional plot points include Commander Lawrence working with Aunt Lydia to reform Gilead, and Luke and Moira attempting to reunite with Hannah.

As for the new photos, two of them show June and Serena’s mental states. The photo of June is a close-up of her looking angrily and bitterly into the camera. As for Serena, the photo shows her wearing a colored outfit with a dark veil over her face. Beneath the veil, she is seen smiling.

Fans have theories about Serena Joy after the photos released

Some fans think they know what’s happening with Serena Joy Waterford in The Handmaid’s Tale Season 5 photo. Serena and Fred had a power struggle before Fred’s death, and it likely greatly benefits Serena to have Fred die. Fred’s vicious death might help her earn public favor despite the PR disaster that Gilead has been. Serena might get to have her own comeuppance with Fred out of the way, which could be why she’s smiling beneath the black veil in the new photos.

“I saw one article speculating that Serena may be at a funeral in this picture,” a fan on Reddit noted. “If that’s true, maybe she’s not taking Fred’s death so hard … or, at the very least, has mixed feelings about it.”

Others believe the photo of Serena’s garb proves she returned to Gilead.

“The picture with Serena and her style of clothing makes me think she’s back in Gilead,” another Reddit user noted.

“I think that Serena is back in Gilead, and she is getting married again,” yet another fan guessed. “Probably to a very high-ranking Commander.”

When does ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ return in 2022?

June Osborne standing outside in a red jacket in 'The Handmaid's Tale' Season 4
June Osborne, played by Elisabeth Moss | Sophie Giraud/Hulu
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The Handmaid’s Tale Season 5 premieres Sept. 14, 2022. The premiere debuts two episodes, and the remainder of the episodes will air weekly until the finale.

Serena Joy Waterford actor Yvonne Strahovski spoke to TVLine after the season 4 finale. She gave a few hints about what she believes may happen now that Serena’s on her own without Fred Waterford.

“I can see her becoming a political figure and having success with her fan club in Canada, or something, you know?” Strahovski said of her character in season 5. “[She could] keep preaching what she used to preach, pre-Gilead. I can see her totally taking control and being that person. But then again, I really think the fear of God is going to be put into her when she finds out what’s happened.”

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