The Testaments: A Fresh Look at Gilead in The Handmaid’s Tale Sequel

Gilead isn’t finished yet. Though The Handmaid’s Tale closed its final chapter on May 27 after a gripping six-season run, its legacy lives on — through the eyes of a new generation.

Hulu’s next installment, The Testaments, is not just a continuation, but a bold reimagination of Margaret Atwood’s dystopia, diving deeper into the cracks of a crumbling empire.

Brief Details About ‘The Testaments’

If The Handmaid’s Tale was June Osborne’s story, The Testaments belong to the daughters — and the formidable Aunt who’s still standing.

“It’s about Mean Girls growing up Gilead,” says showrunner Bruce Miller, giving a stark and biting preview to Entertainment Weekly.

“It really is about what it’s like to be young and full of energy when the country is trying to turn you into something awful… When all of a sudden they’ve been telling you, ‘you are wonderful, you’re perfect, and now do these terrible things.’”

The upcoming series isn’t just picking up the pieces — it’s reshaping the narrative from a youthful, restless perspective. And yes, The Testaments is already in production.

Where Did The Handmaid’s Tale Leave Off?

In true dystopian fashion, the finale titled Execution ignited a rebellion. June (Elisabeth Moss) and Serena (Yvonne Strahovski) joined forces with Commander Lawrence (Bradley Whitford) to smuggle a bomb aboard a Gilead military aircraft.

The explosion that followed wasn’t just literal — it shattered the regime’s upper ranks, catalyzing liberation movements across the United States.

As the smoke cleared, Boston emerged free. June reunited with familiar faces, including Emily (Alexis Bledel), her mother Holly (Cherry Jones), and young Nichole. But her mission wasn’t done.

Hannah — renamed Agnes and still trapped within Gilead’s grip — remained out of reach. So June set her sights westward, heading for Colorado in search of her eldest daughter.

In a poetic full circle, the series ended where it all began — at the ruins of the Waterford residence. Sitting quietly in her former room, June pressed “record” on a tape recorder, echoing the narration from season one.

“My name is Offred,” she declared, smirking into the lens as the screen faded to black.

What The Testaments Will Explore

Drawing inspiration from Atwood’s 2019 novel of the same name, The Testaments fast-forwards roughly 15 years after the original book — or “somewhere around three or four years” post-Handmaid’s Tale timeline, according to Miller in an interview with Variety.

The spinoff centers on Gilead’s next generation — girls like Hannah, now Agnes, who are being groomed for roles they never chose.

“Facing the prospect of being married off and living a life of servitude, they will be forced to search for allies, both new and old, to help in their fight for freedom and the life they deserve,” the show’s official synopsis reveals.

But don’t expect a carbon copy of the original.

“We tried not to make the same show — it’s got younger voices, it’s got a completely different feel and a completely different vibe but it’s still Gilead,” Miller told The Hollywood Reporter. “So I hope that the continuing threads continue to interest people while the new stuff is exciting.”

Executive producer Warren Littlefield added his take, noting how the aesthetic itself reflects the shift:

“It’s pastoral, it’s beautiful, it’s a different architecture, different color palette and a young wonderful cast. But make no mistake, there’s still a Gilead there, so that will reveal itself as well.”

Who’s Returning — and Who’s New?

One familiar face anchors the new era: Ann Dowd is back as Aunt Lydia, a character both feared and fascinating — and whose arc was crucial in Atwood’s sequel novel.

She’s joined by a fresh ensemble, including Chase Infiniti, Lucy Halliday, Rowan Blanchard, Mattea Conforti, Mabel Li, Amy Seimetz, Brad Alexander, Eva Foote, Zarrin Darnell-Martin, Isolde Ardies, Shechinah Mpumlwana, Birva Pandya, and Kira Guloien.

While Elisabeth Moss won’t appear — at least officially — she remains on board as executive producer. But her absence may not be as certain as it seems.

“I mean, ‘No,’” Moss said with a grin when asked by TV Insider if she’d return. “[But] I would totally lie to you if I was!”

And she didn’t rule out a surprise cameo either:

“You’re just going to have to watch the show,” she teased in a chat with The Hollywood Reporter.

When and Where to Watch

Filming for The Testaments began in April 2025, and while a premiere date hasn’t been set, fans can rest assured that it won’t be a long wait.

“It’s coming much sooner than I think the next season of Handmaid’s would have come, but we’re well into it, and it’s coming along just splendidly,” Miller shared with Variety. “I think it’ll be a lot of — in the way my show is a lot of fun, I think it’ll be a lot of fun.”

Once released, The Testaments will stream exclusively on Hulu, joining all six seasons of The Handmaid’s Tale.

Be sure to catch up on everything happening on The Testaments right now. Come back here often for all The Testaments spoilers, news, and updates.

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