WARNING: This article contains spoilers from The Handmaid's Tale season 6
The Handmaid's Tale enthusiasts are expressing concern for Janine Lindo (portrayed by Madeline Brewer), who was unveiled to be alive and now employed at Jezebel's in the sixth season after departing Commander Lawrence's (Bradley Whitford) residence.
Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd) was taken aback upon discovering Janine coerced into another form of prostitution, vowing to assist her escape the brothel.
However, a sceptical Janine accused Aunt Lydia of being delusional about desiring a better life for former Handmaids.
Despite this, Janine was desperate to reunite with her daughter Angela, who had been separated from her and was residing with the Lawrences in New Bethlehem, reports the Mirror US.
Regrettably, Commander Lawrence dashed Janine's hopes, cautioning her that his new spouse Naomi Putnam (Ever Carradine) was an "old school Gilead wife", who would never permit the ex-handmaid into their household.
Adding another dimension to Janine's storyline, she has become the target of Commander Bell's (Timothy Simons) lascivious desires.
The Commander's obsession with her puts Janine in grave danger should she defy him.
Numerous fans are eager to learn more about Janine, whose role in the Hulu TV series is more prominent than in the original novel.
Since the second season, The Handmaid's Tale has been crafting its own narrative after the initial season covered the source material.
However, fans hoping for Janine's story to continue in Margaret Atwood's sequel novel will be let down. The character does not feature in The Testaments.
Moreover, actress Brewer has confirmed she won't be part of the forthcoming adaptation of The Testaments.
She recently expressed: "I'm just so happy that Ann [Dowd, who stars as Aunt Lydia] gets to continue making some magic with this character."
In a conversation with Elle, she added: "I'm thrilled for the new cast members. For some of them, it's the start of their careers, and I'm so happy for them that they get to work with such an incredible crew and with Ann, who is a master class in what it means to be a person-empathetic, compassionate, generous."
Janine's absence implies her storyline might wrap up in the final season of The Handmaid's Tale.
The Testaments, however, will provide clarity on the destinies of June Osborne (Elisabeth Moss), Nick Blaine (Max Minghella), and Luke Bankole (O-T Fagbenle).
Hannah Bankole (Jordana Blake) will also have a more significant role in The Testaments, with the narrative resuming in Gilead approximately five years post The Handmaid's Tale.
The TV series, anticipated to faithfully adapt the 2019 Booker Prize-winning novel, will also depict the eventual downfall of Gilead.
The Handmaid’s Tale season 6 will be coming to Prime Video and Channel 4 on May 3 in the UK
