'The Handmaid's Tale' season 5 air date confirmed for Channel 4

The Handmaid's Tale season five is confirmed to be airing on Channel 4 later this month.

It is already airing on Hulu in the US, but this will be UK viewers' first chance to catch up with the latest developments for June and the other current and former residents of Gilead.

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The hit adaptation of Margaret Atwood's acclaimed novel has now overtaken events in the book, although it is not clear whether it will eventually tie in with sequel The Testaments.

Season five's 10 episodes will begin on Channel 4 on Sunday, 23 October at 9pm, with All 4 also making seasons one to four available to stream ahead of its release.

In a new arrangement, Amazon Prime Video will also share the season premiere by streaming it at the same time.

June, played by Elisabeth Moss, will be seen this series facing the consequences of killing her Gilead tormentor Commander Waterford, played by Joseph Fiennes.

Of course, she also still faces the menace of Waterford's wife Serena (Yvonne Strahovski), expecting a baby of her own and struggling to claw back some power in her exile in Toronto.

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Back in Gilead, Commander Lawrence (Bradley Whitford) will work with Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd) and Nick (Max Minghella) as he tries to reform Gilead and rise in power in the dangerous atmosphere of betrayal and accusations.

June is still struggling to adapt to her reclaimed freedom in Canada as she, Luke (O-T Fagbenle) and Moira (Samira Wiley) continue to battle Gilead from a distance and desperately search for daughter Hannah.

As with every season of The Handmaid's Tale, plenty of shock twists are expected, with one spoiler recently coming out of the US about an unexpected character death.

Nick Lee, head of acquisitions at Channel 4, said: “Over the series The Handmaid’s Tale has remained reflective, high quality and hard hitting. We’re thrilled Channel 4 and All 4 audiences will be returning to Gilead to see further justice dispensed in the next riveting instalment.”

The Handmaid's Tale returns on Sunday, 23 October at 9pm.

Watch: The Handmaid's Tale season 5 trailer