Taylor Swift Soundtracks Rebellion in The Handmaid’s Tale
Picture this: The Handmaid’s Tale kicking off an episode not with its usual chilling soundscape, but with Taylor Swift’s unmistakable voice. That’s exactly what happened when Swift’s re-recorded 'Look What You Made Me Do (Taylor’s Version)' thundered through the opening scene of season 6, episode 9 on May 20, 2025. In the background, June—played by Elisabeth Moss—is mounting a bold attack against Gilead’s top brass. The song, sharp and biting, fits the mood of resistance like a glove. It’s Swift in her full vengeful, dramatic mode—perfect for a show built on fighting back.
Elisabeth Moss has been angling for a Swift song in the show for years. She spilled the beans that she and other cast members—yes, even Yvonne Strahovski—are die-hard Swifties. But landing the right song and the right moment was tricky. It took some creative matchmaking from the series’ editor Wendy Hallam Martin, who suggested the now-iconic track for this particular episode. Moss was quick to praise both Swift’s influence as an artist and the thrill it gave the cast to finally bring her music into the narrative.
Why This TV Moment Matters for Swift (and Fans)
This isn’t just a footnote in TV music syncs—it’s a big deal for Swift fans. While a few sly snippets of Reputation (Taylor’s Version) may have slipped into other projects—like the show Wilderness and Tom Brady’s documentary—never before have we gotten this long a taste of any song from the much-anticipated re-recorded album. The release of the series' penultimate episode with Swift’s song has left Swifties buzzing, especially with the American Music Awards right around the corner on May 26, 2025. Fan theories are running wild that the full album drop could come as early as the awards show weekend.
For The Handmaid’s Tale, this music choice isn’t just fan service. It’s a statement—using pop’s biggest rebel to underscore a fictional rebellion. As the show heads to its finale on May 27, 2025, using this powerful new version of Swift’s song amps up excitement both for the show’s end and for whatever Taylor might unveil next. The overlap between this cult TV audience and Swift’s own loyal base just cranked expectations up another notch. And if you spotted The Handmaid’s Tale’s cast humming along, well, you’re not imagining things—they really are that pumped about Swift too.