What does the showrunner of The Handmaid’s Tale think about fans being angry with Season 3? Well, Bruce Miller has quite a few thoughts on the reaction. Many fans have voiced their frustration with the third season of the dystopian drama. Most of the ire is seemingly focused on June’s turn from all-out hero to a more morally complicated one.
Whenever a character undergoes that kind of transition, viewers often aren't thrilled. Discussing the fan reaction that Season 3 has received, The Handmaid’s Tale’s showrunner, Bruce Miller, told EW:
The fan reaction always surprises me. Mostly in its breadth; it’s so varied — and not unlike the writers’ room. We have a big writers’ room of mostly women; we’re often fighting about what June will do, with two people absolutely convinced on either side. Some people are adamantly furious because June does X, and some people are adamantly furious that she didn’t do X.
How do you settle an argument among the writers? I do not know, but this is an interesting insight into the behind-the-scenes process. Fans are not the only ones invested in where Elisabeth Moss’ June is headed.
What I find compelling about what Bruce Miller says here is how fans’ reactions mirrors those of the writers. That should give him and The Handmaid’s Tale’s writers a sense of how the show’s twists will play with the audience.
Any frustration fans currently feel will eventually get a chance to manifest in another season. The Hulu drama has been renewed for a fourth season, which will undoubtedly bring its share of responses.
The Handmaid’s Tale has arrived at the height of the Internet age, when fans can give their hot takes on social media within a second of an episode being made available. As Stranger Things’ David Harbour can attest, fans’ reactions can lead to surprising results.
As some showrunners will likely tell you, there is a whole other audience whose opinions are not publicly shared online. So, there could be quite a few more satisfied or disgruntled fans who aren't heard from. Not everybody vents their feelings on Twitter, after all!
Ahead of Season 3’s premiere, The Handmaid’s Tale released a Super Bowl promo to get fans pumped. The third season welcomed Law & Order vet Christopher Meloni and saw the return of a previously introduced character.
While some fans are frustrated with Season 3, they have some time to let those feelings calm down. The Handmaid’s Tale just concluded its third season, meaning it will probably be a while before its next one arrives.
The Handmaid’s Tale is undoubtedly not alone in drawing strong reactions. Just look at the recent outcry surrounding Game of Thrones’ final season. After it aired, George R.R. Martin had some strong words for the Internet. Thankfully for fans of the Hulu series, the end is not near for the drama.
The first three seasons of The Handmaid’s Tale are streaming on Hulu. If you are angry about the twists and turns of Season 3, let the anticipation for this fall’s premieres help focus your thoughts elsewhere.
