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Warning: Contains SPOILERS for The Handmaid’s Tale series finale and The Testaments!

Hulu has revealed that they are transforming “The Testaments” into a television series, and this is how the finale of season 6 of “The Handmaid’s Tale” lays the groundwork. After running for eight years, “The Handmaid’s Tale” has concluded with the storylines of June, Luke, and their companions reaching an end. However, Hulu will carry on the tales of several characters from “The Handmaid’s Tale” in “The Testaments”, as the final seasons of the original show have already set the stage for the sequel series.

In 2019, Margaret Atwood released “The Testaments,” a sequel novel to her earlier work, “The Handmaid’s Tale.” Set more than a decade after the original story, this book delves into the lives of characters from “The Handmaid’s Tale” such as June’s offspring. It explores how the society of Gilead has transformed over time. Even though the main character arcs were concluded in the series finale of “The Handmaid’s Tale,” the story of Gilead remains unresolved, providing an opportunity for “The Testaments” to further explore life within this oppressive nation.

Aunt Lydia Remaining In Gilead Sets Up Her Testaments Story

She Acts As A Mole For Mayday

One of the significant characters in “The Testaments” is Aunt Lydia, who was once a ruthless enforcer in the totalitarian state of Gilead depicted in “The Handmaid’s Tale.” Over the course of the show’s later seasons, Aunt Lydia undergoes a transformation, becoming sympathetic to the plight of the Handmaids and falling in love with Janine. This realization leads her to acknowledge the cruelty of Gilead. In the sixth season, episode 9 of “The Handmaid’s Tale,” Aunt Lydia is sentenced to execution, signifying that her rebellion against Gilead has reached its culmination. However, at the end of the series, Aunt Lydia continues to reside within Gilead, using her position to aid Janine and her daughter in fleeing to the United States.

In “The Testaments”, Aunt Lydia plays a crucial role as she remains in Gilead throughout the narrative. Unlike before, she is covertly against the Gileadean system and pens a memoir detailing her dissent. Additionally, she functions as an informant to the US and Mayday, providing vital information about Gilead’s inner workings. Aunt Lydia significantly impacts Hannah and Nicole’s stories in “The Testaments” and is among the central characters in Hulu’s adaptation of the sequel series.

Hannah Had To Remain In Gilead For The Testaments

Until She Is Much Older

In the gripping world of “The Handmaid’s Tale,” my unwavering drive throughout the series has been to save Hannah, making numerous daring attempts over six captivating seasons. Yet, in the bittersweet finale, June and Hannah did not find each other again. Instead, Hannah, now known as Agnes, continued her life with her Gileadean family. Some viewers might have felt a sense of disappointment by this unresolved ending, but it was crucial for the narrative of “The Testaments” to unfold effectively. For Hannah, remaining in Gilead was essential, providing the backdrop for the powerful story that followed.

In the continuation of events, Agnes, formerly known as Hannah, has been dwelling in Gilead for quite some time now. She’s managed to detach herself from her previous life with June, and is now preparing for an arranged marriage. To escape this impending union, she disguises herself as Aunt Victoria and flees. Later on, Aunt Victoria discovers that she is the offspring of a Handmaid and thus the half-sibling of renowned Baby Nicole. This realization prompts her to learn that the same Nicole (using an alias) is under her supervision. Eventually, Aunt Victoria joins forces with Aunt Lydia to secretly transmit information about Gilead beyond its borders.

Does Gilead Eventually Fall?

Eventually, Although It Takes A While

Despite taking a long time, ultimately, “The Testaments” shows that the oppressive regime of Gilead collapses. The clandestine evidence uncovered by Hannah and Nicole about Gilead’s leaders proves to be damning. This information eventually becomes public knowledge, triggering a coup within Gilead, which brings down their government. Seizing this chance, the United States launches an offensive, reclaiming Gilead’s territory and restoring the nation. As a result, the narrative of “The Handmaid’s Tale” reaches its conclusion, with the characters managing to bring about the demise of Gilead.

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2025-05-28 16:27