The anticipation surrounding The Testaments—the sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale—is palpable. Fans are eager to uncover the fate of beloved characters and how the series will expand upon the chilling world of Gilead. The curiosity is particularly heightened following the end of The Handmaid’s Tale after six gripping seasons. While not all arcs reached a neat conclusion, we have at least a glimpse of who survived to resist Gilead’s oppressive regime.
With the successful first series behind us, the creators have begun giving us teasers about The Testaments. This new show, which quickly started filming just six weeks after the conclusion of The Handmaid’s Tale, features compelling newcomers alongside familiar faces like Ann Dowd, who reprises her Emmy-winning role as Aunt Lydia.
What Are Fans Asking About The Testaments?
A recent article in Hollywood Reporter offers insights from Margaret Atwood, Bruce Miller, and executive producer Warren Littlefield, yet the mystery surrounding Elisabeth Moss’ June remains. Will she return? Given the storyline’s focus on June’s daughter, Hannah—who is now known as Agnes after being raised in Gilead—the possibility is tantalizing.
Bruce Miller emphasizes June’s unwavering commitment: “She threw herself back and she couldn’t walk away from her daughter, so June is still doing her job.” This reveals that June, alongside Hannah’s father Luke (O-T Fagbenle) and her best friend Moira (Samira Wiley), is still actively trying to reconnect with Hannah, who is lost within Gilead’s twisted society. However, Yvonne Strahovski’s character Serena will not appear in The Testaments.
How Will The Testaments Expand the Story?
Miller envisions a broader perspective: “The beauty of having watched Handmaid’s Tale is that you understand there’s a vast operation of people risking everything to reunite with their children.” This approach will include exploring stories of survivors rebelling against Gilead’s regime. Miller states that June will influence the narrative, and the series will display a larger resistance to Gilead’s oppressive rule, which is thriving with discontent.
Atwood herself casts some intrigue around Moss’ involvement. Although June makes an appearance in Atwood’s sequel, she adds, “If you’re an underground resistance fighter, you’re underground—that is the point.” This uncertainty leaves fans wondering how closely the show will follow the source material, especially since the timeline shifts from a 15-year gap in the book to just four years in the series.
What’s New for Aunt Lydia in The Testaments?
While Aunt Lydia remains as a bridge between the two series, the new focus on younger characters sets the stage for a fresh dynamic. “Aunt Lydia has a school for girls to prepare them for womanhood and life in a Gilead world,” explains Littlefield. This group of young women has only known a life under Gilead, offering a different viewpoint than June’s. These teenagers bring a rebellious spirit that will undoubtedly drive the new stories forward.
Although there’s no official release date for The Testaments, 2024 is shaping up to be a likely target. Are you ready to journey back to Gilead when it premieres?
Is it possible that The Testaments will revisit established characters? Given the expanding narrative, we may encounter familiar faces, albeit in broader tales of rebellion and survival.
What elements from The Handmaid’s Tale will influence the new series? The underpinning themes of resistance, survival, and the fight for freedom will continue to resonate through the new story arcs.
How closely will the show follow Atwood’s original work? While The Testaments will take liberties, it will aim to honor the depth and complexity of the source material.
What themes can fans expect in The Testaments? Expect a focus on rebellion, empowerment, and the unyielding spirit of those resisting oppression in Gilead.
As we await more updates, it’s a good time to catch up on all things Gilead and reflect on the themes of resilience and justice explored in both series. For more engaging content, explore Moyens I/O.