Elisabeth Moss Breaks Down 'Handmaid's Tale' Season 3 Premiere and June's Plan for Serena

(Warning: This post contains spoilers for the first three episodes of “The Handmaid’s Tale” Season 3)

“The Handmaid’s Tale” launched its third season with a trio of new episodes Wednesday, each of which destroyed several things we thought we knew about Hulu’s adaptation of the Margaret Atwood novel — one quite literally.

In the closing moments of the series premiere, “Night,” Serena Joy (Yvonne Strahovski) sets fire to the bed she shares with her husband Commander Fred Waterford (Joseph Fiennes), prompting June (Elisabeth Moss) to run in and pull Serena outside to safety before the Waterfords’ home goes up in flames.

Moss told TheWrap this act was a pivotal moment for Season 3, but just par for the course on the Bruce Miller-created drama.

Also Read: Summer TV Premiere Dates: Here's Every New and Returning Show (Photos)

“One of the cool things we can do on the show that is really bold is wipe out everything you know,” Moss said. “Like, it is highly unusual for a show to burn down a house that you’re used to for the first two seasons and switch the location of the main character. So I really love that we were able to do that. I think it’s important for the show.”

Following the destruction of the Waterfords’ house, June is transferred to become Commander Joseph Lawrence’s (Bradley Whitford) new handmaid. You’ll remember Lawrence as the man who helped Emily (Alexis Bledel) and June’s infant daughter Nicole escape Gilead on the Season 2 premiere. He tried to get June out, too, last night, but she wasn’t having it, as she decided to stay in hopes of rescuing her other daughter Hannah.

While this act makes Lawrence — one of the architects of Gilead — seem like he might actually be a good guy, things aren’t that cut and dry. This becomes clear when he forces June to dispose of the dead body of a Martha she tried to help escape against his wishes, showing his harsh side. And yet he does not choose to treat her like a traditional Handmaid, as he and his wife forgo the ceremony to try and impregnate her. This is unusual for a commander in Gilead, and poses an unusual situation for June.

Also Read: 'The Handmaid's Tale' Producers Say Season 3's Washington, DC Is Like 'Gilead on Steroids'

“Commander Lawrence is a really interesting foil for June,” Moss said. “He is an enigma. You don’t know if he’s on the good side or the bad side. He’s very confusing to June and he really challenges her. He challenges her expectations for what a commander can be. He challenges her ideas of Gilead and how it started and overgrew the intentions of the people who started it.”

Moss says Lawrence is “hugely instrumental in getting [June] to be the person she needs to be in order to lead this resistance.”

“He’s the main relationship on the show that she has right now,” she said. “And it is a really interesting plot that goes through many changes and, in a weird way, him aggravating her and challenging her brings out something in her she really needs and vice versa.”

At the end of the third episode of Season 3, titled “Useful,” June begins to sow the seeds of revolution utilizing the other major relationship she has in Gilead, her confusing (sometimes) partnership with Serena.

Also Read: 'Handmaid's Tale' Creator Is Fascinated by How Protesters Have 'Latched Onto' Handmaid Costume

“June has this idea of how this is going to go down, how this resistance is going to work,” Moss said. “She’s going to involve Serena, she’s gonna get Commander Lawrence and this is all going to go very smoothly, and I don’t know if it’s necessarily gonna turn out that easily for her.”

Per the Handmaid laws of Gilead, June was forced to give Nicole to Serena and Fred when she was born for them to raise as their own. But Serena made it possible for June to send her to Canada with Emily on the Season 2 finale because she realized the little girl would be better off growing up outside of the totalitarian regime. However, Moss says Serena may not be as strong as June in this respect.

“I think with Serena, she really believes that she’s a good person and that she’s going to do the best thing for her daughter. She really believes that she’s going to be a good mother,” Moss said. “But I don’t think it’s going to be that simple — nothing is that simple on our show. And June has a quality that nobody else has, which is being able to put her daughter before herself and her own needs, and I’m not sure if Serena can do that.”

New episodes of “The Handmaid’s Tale” drop Wednesdays on Hulu.

Summer TV Premiere Dates: Here's Every New and Returning Show (Photos)

Though summer doesn't officially begin until June 21, Summer TV premieres are just about ready to start airing. We've rounded up the premiere dates for every show returning for a new season, as well as every new show slated to make its debut this summer. From Hulu's "Veronica Mars" revival to the highly-anticipated third season of "Stranger Things," here's everything to keep on your radar and look out for ahead of the Summer 2019 TV season.
Hulu, HBO, Netflix, ABC, Getty Images
“iZombie” (The CW), May 2, 8 p.m.
The CW
"Dead to Me" (Netflix), May 3
Netflix
"Tuca & Bertie" (Netflix), May 3
Netflix
"The Spanish Princess" (Starz), May 5, 8 p.m.
Starz
"The Real Housewives of Potomac" (Bravo), May 5, 9 p.m.
Bravo
"When Calls the Heart" (Hallmark), May 6, 8 p.m.
Hallmark
"Chernobyl" (HBO), May 6, 9 p.m.
HBO
"State of the Union" (Sundance), May 6, 10 p.m.
Sundance
"Lucifer" (Netflix), May 8
Netflix
"Paradise Hotel” (Fox), May 9, 8 p.m.
Fox
"Klepper " (Comedy Central), May 9, 10:30 p.m.
Comedy Central
"Easy" (Netflix), May 10
Netflix
"Sneaky Pete" (Amazon Prime Video), May 10
Amazon
"The Society" (Netflix), May 10
Netflix
“Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” (ABC), May 10, 8 p.m.

ABC
“What Would You Do?” (ABC), May 10, 9 p.m.
ABC
"Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men" (Showtime), May 10, 9 p.m.
Showtime
"Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj" (Netflix), May 12
Netflix
"Our Cartoon President" (Showtime), May 12 at 8 p.m.
Showtime
"Beach Hunters" (HGTV), May 12, 9 p.m.
HGTV
“The Bachelorette” (ABC), May 13, 8 p.m.

ABC
"L.A.’s Finest" (Spectrum), May 13, TBD
Spectrum
"Southern Charm" (Bravo), May 15, 8 p.m.
Bravo
"Wahlburgers" (A&E), May 15, 9 p.m.
A&E
"Catch-22" (Hulu), May 17
Hulu
"Fleabag" (Amazon Prime Video), May 17
Amazon
"Nailed It!" (Netflix), May 17
Netflix
“Beat Shazam” (Fox), May 20, 8 p.m.
Fox
"Pawn Stars" (History), May 20, 10 p.m.
History Channel
“Blood & Treasure” (CBS), May 21, 9 p.m.
CBS
"Vida" (Starz), May 23, TBD
Starz
“Elementary” (CBS), May 23, 10 p.m.
CBS
"She’s Gotta Have It" (Netflix), May 24
Netflix
"What/If" (Netflix), May 24
Netflix
"The Hot Zone" (Nat Geo), May 27, 9 p.m.
National Geographic
“America’s Got Talent” (NBC), May 28, 8 p.m.

NBC
"Animal Kingdom" (TNT), May 28, 9 p.m.
TNT
“Songland” (NBC), May 28, 10 p.m.

NBC
"Chrisley Knows Best" (USA), May 28, 10 p.m.
USA
“American Ninja Warrior” (NBC), May 29, 8 p.m.

NBC
“MasterChef” (Fox), May 29, 8 p.m.
Fox
"Property Brothers: Forever Home" (HGTV), May 29, 9 p.m.
HGTV
"Archer: 1999" (FX), May 29, 10 p.m.
FX
“The InBetween” (NBC), May 29, 10 p.m.
NBC
"Lip Sync Battle" (Paramount), May 30, 9 p.m.
Paramount
"When They See Us" (Netflix), May 31
Netflix
"Good Omens" (Amazon Prime Video), May 31
Amazon
"Swamp Thing" (DC Universe), May 31
DC Universe
"Deadwood: The Movie" (HBO), May 31, 8 p.m.
HBO
“Burden of Truth” (The CW), June 2, 8 p.m.

The CW
"Luther" (BBC America), June 2, 8 p.m.
BBC America
"American Princess" (Lifetime), June 2, 9 p.m.
Lifetime
"Fear the Walking Dead" (AMC), June 2, 9 p.m.
AMC
"NOS4A2" (AMC), June 2, 10 p.m.
AMC
"The Weekly" (FX), June 2, 10 p.m.
FX
"Perpetual Grace, LTD" (Epix), June 2, TBD
Epix
"Below Deck Mediterranean" (Bravo), June 3, 9 p.m.
Bravo
“So You Think You Can Dance” (Fox), June 3, 9 p.m.

Fox
"Dance Moms" (Lifetime), June 4, 8 p.m.
Lifetime
"The Handmaid’s Tale" (Hulu), June 5
Hulu
"Grown-ish" (Freeform), June 5, 8 p.m.
Freeform
"Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City" (Netflix), June 7
Netflix
"Designated Survivor" (Netflix), June 7
Netflix
“The Masters of Illusion” (The CW), June 7, 8 p.m.

The CW
“Celebrity Family Feud” (ABC), June 9, 8 p.m.

ABC
"Good Witch" (Hallmark), June 9, 8 p.m.
Hallmark
“The $100,000 Pyramid” (ABC), June 9, 9 p.m.

ABC
"Big Little Lies" (HBO), June 9, 9 p.m.
HBO
"Claws" (TNT), June 9, 9 p.m.
TNT
"Ripley’s Believe It or Not!" (Travel), June 9, 9 p.m.
Getty Images
“To Tell the Truth” (ABC), June 9, 10 p.m.
ABC
"To Tell the Truth" (ABC), June 9, 10 p.m.
ABC
"Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader" (Nickelodeon), June 10, 7 p.m.
Getty Images
“Dateline NBC” (NBC), June 10, 10 p.m.
NBC
"Pose" (FX), June 11, 10 p.m.
FX
“Press Your Luck” (ABC), June 12, 8 p.m.

ABC
"Deal or No Deal" (CNBC), June 12, 9 p.m.
CNBC
"Queen Sugar" (OWN), June 12, 9 p.m.
OWN
“Card Sharks" (ABC), June 12, 9 p.m.

ABC
"Krypton" (Syfy), June 12, 10 p.m.
Syfy
"Younger" (TV Land), June 12, 10 p.m.
TV Land
“Match Game” (ABC), June 12, 10 p.m.
ABC
"Strange Angel" (CBS All Access), June 13
CBS All Access
"Baskets" (FX), June 13, 10 p.m.
FX
"Los Espookys" (HBO), June 14, 11 p.m.
HBO
"Jessica Jones" (Netflix), June 14
Netflix
“Instinct” (CBS), June 16, 9 p.m.
CBS
"City on a Hill" (Showtime), June 16, 9 p.m.
Showtime
"City on a Hill" (Showtime), June 16
Showtime
"Euphoria" (HBO), June 16, 9 p.m.
HBO
“Penn & Teller: Fool Us” (The CW), June 17, 8 p.m.

The CW
“Whose Line Is It Anyway?” (The CW), June 17, 9 p.m.

The CW
“Grand Hotel” (ABC), June 17, 10 p.m.
ABC
"Good Trouble" (Freeform), June 18, 8 p.m.
Freeform
"Drunk History" (Comedy Central), June 18, 10 p.m.
Comedy Central
"The Detour" (TBS), June 18, 10:30 p.m.
TBS
"Yellowstone" (Paramount), June 19, 10 p.m.
Paramount
"Riviera" (Sundance Now), June 20
Sundance Now
“Holey Moley” (ABC), June 20, 8 p.m.
Getty Images
“The Wall” (NBC), June 20, 8 p.m.
NBC
“Spin the Wheel” (Fox), June 20, 9 p.m.

Fox
“Family Food Fight” (ABC), June 20, 9 p.m.

ABC
“Reef Break” (ABC), June 20, 10 p.m.
Getty Images
"Dark" (Netflix), June 21
Netflix
"Andi Mack" (Disney Channel), June 21, 8 p.m.
Disney Channel
"Legion" (FX), June 24 at 10 p.m.
FX
"The Hills: New Beginnings" (MTV), June 24, TBD
MTV
"Big Brother" (CBS), June 25 and 26, 8 p.m.
CBS
"What Just Happened" (Fox), June 30, 9:30 p.m.
Fox
"The Rook" (Starz), June 30
Starz
"The Loudest Voice" (Showtime), June 30, TBD
Showtime
"Young Justice: Outsiders" (DC Universe), July 2
DC Universe
"Stranger Things" (Netflix), July 4
Stranger Things
“Bring the Funny” (NBC), July 9, 10 p.m.
NBC
"Harlots" (Hulu), July 10
Harlots
"Snowfall" (FX), July 10, 10 p.m.

FX
"Siren" (Freeform), July 11, 8 p.m.
Freeform
“Hollywood Game Night” (NBC), July 11, 9 p.m.

NBC
“The Outpost” (The CW), July 11, 9 p.m.

The CW
"Sweetbitter" (Starz), July 14
Starz
"Suits" (USA), July 17, 9 p.m.
USA
"Pearson" (USA) July 17 at 10 p.m.
USA
"Listing Impossible" (CNBC), July 25, 10 p.m.
CNBC
Cash Pad (CNBC) July 25, 9 p.m.
CNBC
"Orange Is the New Black" (Netflix), July 26
Netflix
"The Boys" (Amazon Prime Video), July 26
Amazon Prime Video
"Light as a Feather" (Hulu), July 26
Hulu
"Veronica Mars" (Hulu), July 26
Hulu
"Pennyworth" (Epix), July 28, 9 p.m.
Epix
"Bachelor in Paradise” (ABC), July 29, 8 p.m.
ABC
"Four Weddings and a Funeral" miniseries (Hulu), July 31
MGM
"Preacher" (AMC), August 4, TBD
AMC
"BH90210" (Fox), August 7, 9 p.m.
Fox
"GLOW" (Netflix), August 9
Netflix
"The Terror: Infamy" (AMC), August 12, 9 p.m.
AMC
"Lodge 49" (AMC), August 12, 10 p.m.
AMC
"Power" (Starz), August 25
Starz
"Jay Leno’s Garage" (CNBC), August 28, 10 p.m.
CNBC

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From Hulu’s ”Veronica Mars“ revival to ”Stranger Things“ season 3

Though summer doesn't officially begin until June 21, Summer TV premieres are just about ready to start airing. We've rounded up the premiere dates for every show returning for a new season, as well as every new show slated to make its debut this summer. From Hulu's "Veronica Mars" revival to the highly-anticipated third season of "Stranger Things," here's everything to keep on your radar and look out for ahead of the Summer 2019 TV season.

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Summer TV Premiere Dates: Here's Every New and Returning Show (Photos)

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