AceShowbiz - The Handmaid's Tale, Disney's acclaimed dystopian series, is gaining renewed attention as its sequel was recently released, and now the series might be closer than ever to arriving on Netflix. The streaming landscape continues to evolve, with Netflix expanding its catalog by acquiring popular original content from rival platforms such as HBO Max and AMC+. Now, this Hulu Original could become one of the next major additions to Netflix's lineup.

The gripping saga of June Osborne and her resistance against the oppressive regime of Gilead spans six seasons and 66 episodes. According to What's On Netflix, all six seasons of The Handmaid's Tale are set to begin streaming on Netflix in select regions across Europe and Latin America starting May 5th or 6th. This development follows closely on the heels of the sequel series, The Testaments, which premiered on Hulu just a month earlier.

The show, based on Margaret Atwood's 1985 novel, depicts a dystopian United States dominated by theocratic totalitarianism in the Republic of Gilead. Women have been stripped of their rights, and fertile women, known as "Handmaids," are forced into sexual servitude to bear children for the elite ruling class. The intense narrative chronicles June Osborne’s transformation from a victim into a determined revolutionary leader.

While the series will be available on Netflix internationally, U.S. subscribers will still need Hulu to watch the series for now. However, the arrival of The Handmaid's Tale on Netflix in international markets could hint at a future U.S. release on the platform. This would follow a growing trend where Hulu-branded originals gain a second life on Netflix after their exclusivity windows expire. Shows like Castle Rock, Solar Opposites, and 11.22.63 have already made this transition, supported by Disney's strategy to monetize content across multiple services.

Although The Handmaid's Tale carries the "Hulu Original" label in the United States, MGM Television holds the primary production and distribution rights. This means that after Hulu’s exclusivity period ends—though no exact date has been announced—MGM could license the streaming rights to another platform, with Netflix being a strong candidate. MGM has increasingly licensed other library titles to Netflix in the U.S., suggesting a similar pathway for this series.

Netflix viewers should prepare for a harrowing and compelling story if The Handmaid's Tale eventually arrives stateside. The show’s six seasons trace June Osborne’s harrowing journey through oppression, survival, and ultimately, rebellion. Its critical acclaim and devoted fanbase make it one of Hulu’s flagship offerings and a significant contender for Netflix’s international content expansion.

While fans await confirmation of the series’ U.S. arrival on Netflix, the platform continues to add a variety of other engaging content. April has seen several new additions, including the debut seasons of NBC’s Happy’s Place and St. Denis Medical, along with new seasons of Netflix originals like The Bad Guys: The Series and XO, Kitty. This steady stream of fresh content keeps Netflix competitive as the streaming wars intensify.

With the international rollout of The Handmaid's Tale on Netflix starting in early May, viewers outside the U.S. will have an opportunity to experience this powerful dystopian tale on a new platform. Meanwhile, U.S. viewers will continue to rely on Hulu for access to all six seasons and the latest sequel. The evolving licensing landscape suggests that a Netflix debut in the U.S. could be on the horizon, but for now, fans must remain patient.

What do you think about the possibility of The Handmaid's Tale arriving on Netflix? Will it broaden the show’s audience or change the streaming landscape? Share your thoughts and join the conversation on the ComicBook Forum.