Although Alexis left the series three years ago, she still recalls the heartbreaking trauma her character—who was forced to undergo genital mutilation and live in the radioactive wasteland of the Colonies as punishment for murder—suffered.
“It was deeply upsetting to even imagine Emily going through something like that,” the Gilmore Girls alum reflected to the outlet, “being captured, powerless, with no say over her body.”
After Alexis won an Emmy in 2017 and earned three nominations for the role, she announced her departure from the series in 2022, writing in a statement, “After much thought, I felt I had to step away from The Handmaid’s Tale at this time.”
Although she didn’t elaborate further, she thanks Bruce for “writing such truthful and resonant scenes for Emily” and the cast and crew “for their support.”
For more shocking TV show exits, keep reading.
