The sixth season of The Handmaid's Tale is nearly upon us, with Hulu and Disney+ set to release the first three episodes all at once tomorrow (April 8), while the remaining seven will be aired weekly in the USA.

The final season, consisting of 10 parts, will arrive in the UK later, with Prime Video and Channel 4 serving as the show's platforms.

Viewers are buzzing with anticipation as they speculate about the fate of various characters, including the controversial Serena Joy, portrayed by Yvonne Strahovski, reports the Mirror US.

The relationship between June Osborne (Elisabeth Moss) and Serena has been intricate from the beginning, with Serena often oscillating between being a villainous figure and a character deserving of sympathy.

As we approach the final season, numerous fans have already attempted to predict her fate after the synopsis for season six hinted: "In the final season of The Handmaid's Tale, June's unyielding spirit and determination pull her back into the fight to take down Gilead. Luke and Moira join the resistance.

"Serena tries to reform Gilead while Commander Lawrence and Aunt Lydia reckon with what they have wrought, and Nick faces challenging tests of character.

"This final chapter of June's journey highlights the importance of hope, courage, solidarity, and resilience in the pursuit of justice and freedom."

Audience members have taken to Reddit to share their thoughts on what this could all mean, with one person posting: "I am absolutely going to snap if Serena is allowed redemption."

Viewers of the intense drama have launched a scathing critique of Serena's character, with one stating: "She is totally unworthy. The only things she deserves are irrelevance and death."

Another fan agreed vehemently, saying: "Serena deserves a long, slow burn. Literally burn," while a third viewer shared the same idea: "Burn the witch!".

Discussing Serena’s potential arc, a fourth viewer suggested: "If she is seeking to reform Gilead she's already lost her redemption. She can't seek it because she can't reform her way out of fascism."

Some emphasized the futility of Serena's situation, remarking: "So she acts as a warning for those who think they could do that, reform their way out of fascism, showing that they can't."

Moral complicity was highlighted by another comment: "Accepting the system as what it is and merely going for reform is still complicity in the atrocities."

Elaborating on Serena’s future, someone speculated: "New Bethlehem will prob be a chance I imagine. And will not be like make Gilead a democracy but allow women to read government-approved books, wear a greater variety of clothes. And to have provisions for widows with young children like herself maybe."

They continued with insight into Serena's psyche: "Basically the kind of thing that gives Serena the most freedom while also not moving away from a society where she can gloat about how she's morally superior. Kind of like an extension of her pushing for them to lift the reading ban back in S2 [sic]."

Another viewer criticized Serena’s fleeting moments of apparent conscience: "Serena has had many many moments of seeming like she feels clarity, remorse, empathy, and every single time she has pivoted back to evil so fast we all had whiplash."

As speculation continues, some fans are looking forward to The Handmaid's Tale sequel The Testaments, where author Margaret Atwood provides insights into the fate of the characters.

However, fans may be left feeling let down as Serena's role is less prominent and her destiny remains uncertain.

The Handmaid’s Tale season 6 will be coming to Prime Video on May 3 in the UK and to Channel 4 in 2025