The Handmaid’s Tale has a tantalising new trailer, and it promises that the revolution is well and truly happening.

US streaming service Hulu unveiled the first sneak peek of its third season of the award-winning dystopian series on Wednesday (US time). For the first time, it has a hopeful tone and some fighting words.

“This June, witness the birth of a revolution,” it says.

The new trailer opens with Offred (Elisabeth Moss) seeming like a changed woman with a mission. Underneath the familiar red and white uniform, she’s confident and fighting from the inside.

“Now mum’s got work,” she says simply.

After frustrating fans by deciding not to leave Gilead at the conclusion of the second season, Offred is hunting for people to help rise up against her oppressors.

“If I’m going to change things, I’m going to need allies,” Offred says.

And she’s not just enlisting other handmaids. It looks like the team has an unlikely recruit: the Commander’s wife Serena Joy Waterford (Yvonne Strahovski.)

“You have influence,” Offred tells Serena, who replies, “Up to a point.”

“So move the point,” Offred answers.

Blessed be the fight. ✊

The #HandmaidsTale returns June 5, only on @Hulu.
https://t.co/dTYlp8ZJJO https://t.co/8taUbdewkv

— The Handmaid's Tale (@HandmaidsOnHulu) May 1, 2019

Season two’s tense finale left the fate of multiple characters hanging, but the trailer shows Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd), Nick (Max Minghella) and Luke (O.T. Fagbenle) are all still around.

Nick and Offred aren’t just getting political, by the looks of things. They’re seen gently brushing fingers in the trailer, which suggests their fraught relationship could be on again.

Fans hit up Twitter to share their excitement:

“Did someone say Handmaid’s viewing parties?” tweeted one user. “Queue the hyperventilating,” another said.

Familiar characters aren’t the only thing returning. The new series will revisit a few favourite locations, including the terrifying death camp Colonies, according to showrunner Bruce Miller.

“We will be revisiting the Colonies. It was really a such a stunning achievement in terms of art direction and cinematography and directing,” Miller said after season two.

“It was so beautiful and I would love to continue to dive deeper into how Gilead uses the discarded women.”

The first season was a mostly-faithful adaption of Margaret Atwood’s 1985 novel, but the season departed radically from season two, and it looks like the latest installment will keep expanding on the original story and its sense of uncertainty.

Fans have had to wait longer than expected for the new series’ premiere, with Hulu’s senior VP of originals, Craig Erwich, telling The Hollywood Reporter it was a quality control issue.

“We wanted to give the show as much time as possible to maintain the quality that it has,” Erwich said.

“Maintaining the quality of The Handmaid’s Tale, which is impeccable, takes time.

“We wanted to give the show enough time to maintain the incredibly high standards of storytelling set in seasons one and two.”

The postponed debut means The Handmaid’s Tale will miss the 2020 Emmy rounds.

The Handmaid’s Tale season three premieres in Australia on SBS and SBS On Demand on June 6.