As ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ enters its final chapter, actor O-T Fagbenle—who has played Luke Bankole since the very beginning — is taking it all in with a deep sense of appreciation. Speaking with Hollywood Melanin, Fagbenle opened up about his experience on the groundbreaking series, what it meant to him, and how his character evolves as the story comes to a close.

“My overall feeling is one of gratitude,” he shared. “So few people get to be part of a big show, let alone one that means so much to so many people. And you know, everything ends—that’s the ephemeral nature of the universe. The fact that we’re ending it in style, the way we want to, and in a way I think the audience will find really satisfying, makes me happy.”

Filming the final scenes was both emotional and physically demanding, especially in the freezing Toronto weather, where the show is filmed.

“I’ll never forget how cold it was—my goodness, Toronto can get freezing!” he recalled. “But what really stood out was having Lizzie [Elisabeth Moss] direct the final episode. Watching her blossom into this powerhouse artist—acting, producing, directing—she does it all so brilliantly. Everything started with her. The very first scene of the show was her, Hannah, and me in the car. So this final season feels like a full-circle moment.”

Throughout the series, Luke has faced intense emotional and moral challenges. His journey mirrors the reality of many displaced people around the world—those caught in the chaos of war and political upheaval, struggling with a lack of power and control.

“One of Luke’s biggest challenges has always been his sense of helplessness—his inability to act,” Fagbenle explained. “He can’t get his daughter back, he can’t get his wife back. That reflects the reality of so many refugees today who have no power over the machinery of big governments. But what’s satisfying in this final season is that you finally get to see Luke take some chances—he starts to make a bit of a difference.”

As ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ enters its sixth and final season, Fagbenle’s reflections serve as a powerful reminder of the emotional depth and cultural relevance the series has carried since its debut. With new episodes dropping weekly from April 8 through May 27 on HULU, fans can expect a poignant and gripping conclusion to the story of June Osborn and those around her. For Fagbenle and viewers who’ve followed Luke’s journey from the beginning, this season promises a payoff that’s both meaningful and hard-earned.

Viola Davis made a grand entrance at the world premiere of her new Prime Video movie, G20, which will be available for streaming on April 10. Watch the exclusive video below.

The official logline reads, “When the G20 summit comes under siege, U.S. President Danielle Sutton (Davis) becomes the number one target. After evading capture by the attackers, she must outsmart the enemy to protect her family, defend her country, and safeguard world leaders in this action-packed thrill ride.”

Directed by Patricia Riggen (The School For Good and Evil), the high-stakes action thriller also stars Anthony Anderson, Marsai Martin, Ramón Rodríguez, Douglas Hodge, Elizabeth Marvel, Sabrina Impacciatore, Christopher Farrar, and Antony Starr.

After five seasons, Garcelle Beauvais announced her departure from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (RHOBH). The 58-year-old actress, who made history as the franchise’s first Black Housewife in 2020, shared the news via an emotional Instagram video. Her exit was announced just hours before the Season 14 finale aired. But why is she leaving, and what’s next for this Hollywood veteran?

Garcelle Beauvais’ RHOBH Journey

Beauvais joined the Bravo series in Season 10, instantly becoming a fan favorite with her authenticity, sharp wit, and unapologetic voice. As the first Black cast member in the show’s history, she brought much-needed diversity to the 90210 zip code, navigating high-stakes drama gracefully and resiliently. Over five seasons, Beauvais clashed with heavyweights like Kyle Richards, Dorit Kemsley, and Erika Jayne, championed underdogs like Sutton Stracke, and shared heartfelt moments about her life as a single working mother to sons Oliver, Jax, and Jaid.

Her tenure wasn’t without challenges. In Season 12, Beauvais faced a harrowing ordeal when her then-14-year-old son Jax was targeted by racist online bots, prompting her to defend her family fiercely. Despite the hardships, she remained a beacon of strength, earning praise for rising above the fray. “It’s been a wild ride,” Beauvais said in her farewell video. “Some amazing things have happened, and some hard things have also happened, but it’s been a ride nevertheless.”

Why Is Garcelle Beauvais Leaving RHOBH?

Beauvais cited two primary reasons for leaving her diamond behind: family and career. “One of the reasons why I’m leaving is my family, my boys,” she explained. Her twin sons, Jax and Jaid, are entering their final year of high school in 2026, a milestone she’s determined to be present for. Additionally, Jaid is launching a modeling career—highlighted by his runway debut in Season 14 at Sutton Stracke’s fashion show—and Beauvais wants to support his journey. As a devoted mom and grandmother of two (via son Oliver), family has always been her anchor.

The second driving force behind her departure is her thriving career. “I have the most exciting projects that I am developing, producing, and acting in,” Beauvais teased, keeping details under wraps but promising fans will “know soon.” Since joining RHOBH, she’s leveraged her platform to secure a first-look deal with NBCUniversal in 2022 and has been a powerhouse at Lifetime, starring in and executive producing films like Black Girl Missing and Caught in His Web.