Alexis Bledel is leaving the hit Hulu series The Handmaid’s Tale.
Bledel has starred as Emily Malek, aka Ofglen, in the award-winning dystopian drama since its launch in 2017. The actress announced her shock departure in a statement to Variety.
“After much thought, I felt like I had to retire from The Handmaid’s Tale at this point,” she told the outlet.
“I am forever grateful [showrunner] Bruce Miller for writing such honest and resonant scenes for Emily, and to Hulu, MGM, the cast and crew for their support.”
Bledel didn’t give a specific reason for her decision to leave the show.
The Post reached out to Hulu and Bledel for further comment.
Based on the 1985 novel by Margaret Atwood, the series is set in a theocratic, totalitarian society battling infertility by hiring maids to bear children.
Bledel as Emily, also known as Ofglen.Hulu
Bledel did not give a specific reason for her departure.Kristina Bumphrey/StarPix
In the series, women are considered far below men and are deprived of basic rights such as reading or spending money.
Bledel garnered four Emmy nominations and landed a win for her performance during her four-year run on the series.
Prior to being cast in the drama opposite Elisabeth Moss, Bledel was best known for her starring role as Rory Gilmore in Gilmore Girls, which ran from 2000-2007.
A release date for season five of The Handmaid’s Tale has not yet been announced.