The premiere of the fourth season of “The Handmaid’s Tale” has been pushed to 2021, Hulu revealed Monday during its virtual newfront presentation to advertisers.
Production on Season 4 of the Elisabeth Moss-led drama was just getting underway in Canada back in March when it was shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic. The show’s fourth season was originally expected to launch this fall, but Hulu has now shifted its release to next year. An individual with knowledge of the situation tells TheWrap the streamer will reveal a narrower premiere window when a date is set for filming to resume.
During its newfront, Hulu also said that limited series “Nine Perfect Strangers,” starring Nicole Kidman and Melissa McCarthy, and the Kate McKinnon-led “The Dropout” will debut next year.
“The Handmaid’s Tale” was renewed for Season 4 in July 2019, ahead of its Season 3 finale last Aug. 14. The dystopian drama’s third installment launched in June 2019, which made it ineligible for last year’s Emmys, and Seasons 1 and 2 premiered in April 2017 and April 2018, respectively.
Along with Moss, the series stars Joseph Fiennes, Yvonne Strahovski, Samira Wiley, Alexis Bledel, Ann Dowd, Max Minghella, Madeline Brewer, O-T Fagbenle, Amanda Brugel and Bradley Whitford.
“The Handmaid’s Tale” is executive produced by Bruce Miller, Moss, Warren Littlefield, Daniel Wilson, Fran Sears, Ilene Chaiken, Eric Tuchman, John Weber, Sheila Hockin and Frank Siracusa.
The series hails from MGM Television.
18 New Summer TV Shows Ranked by Premiere Viewers, From 'Tough as Nails' to 'United We Fall' (Photos)
With all due respect to "America's Got Talent," summer is not exactly the time when Nielsen ratings threaten to fall off the charts -- at least, not the top of the charts. And when it comes to new series, a summer slot isn't generally a vote of confidence from the network.
Due to coronavirus-forced production shutdowns, Summer 2020 has been an especially soft season. Click through our gallery to see how 18 freshman broadcast television shows -- some acquisitions -- fared in total viewers for their premieres this summer.
Rank: 9 Show: "Celebrity Watch Party" Net: Fox Total Viewers: 1.785 million
Fox
Rank: 8 Show: "The Bachelor: The Greatest Seasons - Ever!" Net: ABC Total Viewers: 2.412 million
ABC
Rank: 7 Show: "Cannonball"* Net: NBC Total Viewers: 2.655
*Network debut of USA Network series
NBC
Rank: 6 Show: "The Genetic Detective" Net: ABC Total Viewers: 3.264 million
ABC
Rank: 5 Show: "Tough as Nails" Net: CBS Total Viewers: 4.096 million
CBS
Rank: 4 Show: "Don't" Net: ABC Total Viewers: 4.178 million
ABC
Rank: 3 Show: "United We Fall" Net: ABC Total Viewers: 4.235 million
ABC
Rank: 2 Show: "Ultimate Tag" Net: Fox Total Viewers: 4.351 million
Fox
Rank: 1 Show: "Game On!" Net: CBS Total Viewers: 4.437 million
CBS
1 of 19
Nielsen sheets cooled off as the months warmed up
With all due respect to "America's Got Talent," summer is not exactly the time when Nielsen ratings threaten to fall off the charts -- at least, not the top of the charts. And when it comes to new series, a summer slot isn't generally a vote of confidence from the network.
Due to coronavirus-forced production shutdowns, Summer 2020 has been an especially soft season. Click through our gallery to see how 18 freshman broadcast television shows -- some acquisitions -- fared in total viewers for their premieres this summer.