Advertisement
The final season of The Handmaid’s Tale marked an emotional and nostalgic close to a series that has captivated audiences for years. A standout moment of the final chapter was the unexpected return of Alexis Bledel as Dr. Emily Malek, also known as Ofglen, a character beloved for her complexity and resilience. Her reappearance, long hoped for by fans, became one of the most talked-about moments of the season. Bledel’s brief but powerful performance gave a fitting conclusion to Emily’s arc, delivering emotional weight and symbolic resonance to the Hulu drama’s concluding storyline.
However, what was initially set to become a major awards moment for Bledel has now taken a surprising turn. The actress had applied for consideration in the Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series category at the 2025 Emmy Awards, a move that excited viewers eager to see her recognized. But due to newly revised Emmy rules, she has now withdrawn from the guest actress category entirely. According to Variety, the Television Academy informed Bledel that she was ineligible for the guest slot due to her character’s historical significance and recurring status in the show. The updated rules prevent performers previously nominated in lead or supporting categories for the same show from competing as guest actors.
Instead of transitioning into the supporting actress category this year, Bledel chose to remove herself from the ballot altogether, stepping away from the awards race as a gesture of respect for the integrity of the voting process. This isn’t the first time she’s faced such a situation—back in 2018, she was similarly disqualified from the guest actress category for appearing in a significant portion of the season.
This change in Emmy eligibility has also impacted other high-profile names like Meryl Streep and Paul Rudd, who were similarly barred from guest consideration for their roles in Only Murders in the Building. Meanwhile, The Handmaid’s Tale continues its legacy with an impressive awards season ahead. With around 35 total nominations expected across the Primetime and Creative Arts Emmy categories, the series reaffirms its status as a cornerstone of streaming-era television. Having already secured 15 Emmy wins over its historic run, the show’s final season is set to add even more accolades to its name, even if Alexis Bledel will not be among this year’s individual nominees.