Alexis Bledel quits The Handmaid's Tale beforehand of Season 5

Alexis Bledel has played Emily / Ofglen since The Handmaid's Tale debuted on Hulu in 2017.

The 40-year-old actress announced that she would be stepping down from the hit dystopian series Hulu before the show's fifth season.

"After much thought, I felt at that point I should retire from The Maid's Tale," Bledel told Variety.

"I am forever grateful to Bruce Miller for writing such a true and resonant scene for Emily and Hulu, MGM, the cast, and crew for their support," he added. A representative from Bledel and one from Hulu did not immediately respond to news request for comment.

Bledel has played Emily/Ofglen since The Handmaid's Tale debuted on Hulu in 2017. In addition to her role in The Handmaid's Tale, Bledel is best known for her role as Rory Gilmore on Gilmore Girls, which aired from 2000 to 2007, followed by 2016. A Year in Life and her role as Lena Caligaris in the 2005 film The Sisterhood of Traveling Pants.

The release date for Hulu's fifth season of The Handmaid's Tale has yet to be announced.