Warning: This article contains spoilers from season 5, episode 7 ofThe Handmaid’s Tale.
She’s taken into custody, and her son is taken away from her.
“At last, she knows what it feels like.
Yvonne Strahovski as Serena Joy Waterford in season 5, episode 7 of ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’.Hulu
Justice,” Luke tells his wife.
YVONNE STRAHOVSKI:My jaw was on the floor.
The whole ending had my jaw on the floor, just the way everything sort of pans out.
I had so many thoughts and feelings about it.
It definitely felt very close to home given that I was very newly postpartum.
I had just given birth to my second son in real life.
So that was very, very, very fresh for me.
I think one of the most exciting things about the episode was talking to Lizzie about the actual birth.
I really wanted it to have a lot of elements that were inspired by my own second birth.
[Laughs] I mean, not entirely, but it’s not a hospital obviously.
And also, what that would spark in an audience that is watching it, too.
There’s so many things.
Were you conflicted about what happens to Serena in this episode?
Especially the ending realization that she’s gonna have her baby be taken away from her.
I mean, that’s just pure baby mama emotion right there.
I don’t think there’s any other way to play it.
That’s absolutely devastating.
But objectively, it does feel a little bit like she is definitely getting what she deserves.
I mean, the show defines it in the dialogue really well.
So it’s obviously the two complete opposite feelings that can’t exist in one, you know?
It’s so complex.
Like maybe some of their animosity has abated?
In terms of their relationship, the ball is in June’s court.
It really is sort of up to June as to how much she involves herself in Serena’s life.
But I mean, it’s so hard because there’s this innocent baby.
And she can’t really see outside of her own sort of narcissistic fault, I guess.
She’s in a barn, it’s freezing cold and there’s nowhere to go.
I think this is more about her than it is about the other person, sadly.
I wish I had better news for everybody, but I don’t, that’s not my belief.
Or were you excited to play that?
I mean, it’s very reminiscent of the actual process because it does take forever.
I’ve done it twice in my real life, but not on camera.
There’s all the things.
It’s Serena’s first time, June is a threat to her.
I mean, there’s so many things that would make a woman panic throughout that process.
Maybe a little older.
[Laughs] And trust us with these precious, precious little babies.
I’ve always wondered where they find these babies.
The baby is only allowed on set for a set amount of minutes.
They’re off in their room until we absolutely need the baby.
And then that’s it.
It’s very sort of protective of the actual baby, as it should be.
What can we expect from Serena in these final episodes of season 5?
I think we’re gonna see Serena hit rock bottom.
I mean, if she hasn’t already, you know.
I think there’s more rock bottom to come for her in a very big way.
Some of my most favorite scenes happen in episode 8.
Again, they’re complicated, they’re complex.
And, just with regards to the ending, I think it’s very unexpected.
This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
