Los Angeles: Elisabeth Moss revealed that she only accepted the iconic role of June Osbourne in The Handmaid’s Tale after learning another actor was about to be offered the part. The Emmy-winning actress shared the surprising backstory during her appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show.
Moss said she had initially turned down the role twice, unsure about making such a significant commitment. However, producers deliberately leaked the name of her potential replacement, prompting Moss to react strongly, saying, “Over my dead body.”
That revelation made her realize how deeply connected she felt to the character. Based on Margaret Atwood’s novel, The Handmaid’s Tale premiered in 2017 and is now in its sixth and final season. Moss plays June, a woman enslaved as a Handmaid in a dystopian society, who transforms into a symbol of resistance.
Known for portraying women who rise from victimhood to empowerment, Moss has played similar roles, such as Peggy Olson in Mad Men. In an interview with The Times, she explained that she strives to portray women authentically, flawed yet powerful.
Moss emphasized that her characters, like real women, don’t need to be perfect or possess superpowers to be strong. Her decision to reclaim the role stemmed from a desire to protect a character she believed needed to be told in her voice.
