The Testaments: What to Expect from The Handmaid’s Tale Spinoff!

The thrilling sixth and concluding season has wrapped up, marking a conclusion for June Osborne (Elisabeth Moss) in her struggle to break free from Gilead’s grip, but it’s essential to note that the narrative doesn’t end here. The oppressive regime of Gilead persists, necessitating the battle to carry on.

In the near future, a highly anticipated continuation of a popular series is slated for release – it’s titled “The Testaments“. This new installment is connected to Margaret Atwood’s earlier novel. The plot unfolds in the future with familiar faces joining some fresh characters, though many aspects of the sequel remain shrouded in mystery for now. However, a few crucial elements have been disclosed to give us a sense of what lies ahead and where the narrative is headed, primarily based on Atwood’s own writings, along with casting decisions, confirmed characters, and more.

When Will The Testaments Be Released?

At this point, an exact launch date for “The Testaments” hasn’t been set yet, given that it’s currently in pre-production stages. Nevertheless, there have been reported filming locations across various Canadian towns since the production kicked off in April 2025. It’s speculated that we might get to see this series as early as 2026, possibly even by the end of 2025. However, a more plausible release date seems to be 2026.

What Is The Testaments About?

15 years on from the events of “The Handmaid’s Tale,” I find myself captivated by “The Testaments.” This work is a continuation of Margaret Atwood’s thought-provoking narrative, as hinted in her subsequent novel of the same name published in 2019. The television adaptation of “The Handmaid’s Tale” had already gripped audiences worldwide when this book made its appearance. It was a compelling choice to delve deeper into the story, revealing another facet of Gilead and unfolding events far beyond the conclusion of “The Handmaid’s Tale.

Rotten Tomatoes Critics ScoreRotten Tomatoes Audience ScoreIMDb Score
84%56%8.3/10

As a captivated observer, I’d like to highlight three principal characters who gracefully weave the narrative: Aunt Lydia, portrayed once more by Ann Dowd, plays an essential role. She stands alongside Agnes, who is none other than June’s daughter, Hannah. In Gilead, young Agnes was taken from her parents and raised by a commanding officer and his wife, hence her name change. The third captivating figure introduced is Daisy, played skillfully by Lucy Halliday.

The series revolves around these three women whose lives intertwine after discovering hidden truths about Gilead and a rebellion against its oppressive rule. Agnes and Daisy aim to infiltrate Canada, while Aunt Lydia appears to serve as their informant within the system, maintaining her role as an aunt in Gilead. Her position is convincing since she has shown some dissatisfaction with Gilead but has been a devoted supporter for a long time.

In the upcoming show, segments will be presented as if they are excerpts from a book penned by Aunt Lydia, featuring accounts from two characters, possibly Agnes and Daisy, who carry on the struggle started by their mothers. Aunt Lydia serves as the storyteller, much like June does in “The Handmaid’s Tale,” as we learned in the finale that these scenes are part of a book she was writing about her own experiences.

Does It Cover The Fall of Gilead?

Indeed, the upcoming series will provide a detailed account of Gilead’s downfall, explaining its sequence of events and highlighting the significant part taken by these three women, with Aunt Lydia leading the charge. Furthermore, the series will include other key aspects as well.

Despite being unable to delve further into Offred’s narrative, Atwood expressed during a 2019 gathering that she could indeed expand the story by focusing on three additional characters who were part of those events. She wished to share the tale of Gilead’s downfall because, as seen in “The Handmaid’s Tale”, Gilead no longer exists 200 years later since they are discussing it at a symposium. Her curiosity lay in understanding how such regimes crumble and what led to Gilead’s collapse.

Show Premiere DateShow End DateNumber of SeasonsWhere to Stream
April 26, 2017May 27, 20256Hulu

By the finale of “The Handmaid’s Tale,” Aunt Lydia, who had been harboring doubts about Gilead, started to comprehend that those in power were not acting with righteous intentions. Driven by fury, she took actions contrary to her own beliefs in order to protect the girls she deeply cared for. Additionally, she publicly denounced the “corrupt, godless men,” which represented a significant departure from her usual obedience towards the Commanders.

If the TV show stays true to the novel’s plot (as suggested by Atwood’s comments), Aunt Lydia has been covertly working for the resistance. When Agnes discovers she is biologically related to a handmaid, she seeks answers about her past. She manages to break free from her predestined marriage and could potentially become an aunt figure. Additionally, there might be a surprise element concerning a grown-up baby named Nicole, though it remains uncertain whether this aspect will be featured in the series.

Who Else Has Been Cast in The Testaments?

Alongside Dowd, Infiniti (Presumed Innocent), Halliday (Blue Jean), and Rowan Blanchard is portraying a character named Shunammite. According to the description, she is a privileged teen from a high-status Gilead family, which grants her a certain level of respect and influence among her peers.

The Testaments Based OnWhen Book ReleasedAwards
Novel by Margaret Atwood20192019 Booker Prize, Best Fiction Novel in the 2019 Goodreads Choice Awards

Besides the main actors, there are some lesser-known talents in the cast, such as Mattea Conforti from Broadway’s “Frozen,” Mabel Li from “New Gold Mountain,” Amy Seimetz who has worked on shows like “The Killing” and “Family Tree,” Brad Alexander known for “Clifford the Big Red Dog,” Zarrin Darnell-Martin of “Ginny & Georgia,” Eva Foote from “Murdoch Mysteries,” Isolde Ardies from “Wayward,” Shechinah Mpumlwana in “Lyla in the Loop,” Birva Pandya recognized for “The Love Club” and “The Umbrella Academy,” and Kira Guloien from “Robyn Hood.

Though Moss isn’t explicitly featured in “The Testaments“, she is acknowledged as an executive producer, joining forces with Bruce Miller and Warren Littlefield. To start off the series, Mike Barber will oversee directing the first three episodes.

Where Do All The Main Characters End Up in The Handmaid’s Tale?

At the close of “The Handmaid’s Tale”, Boston has succumbed, and Gilead has vanished entirely from the city. Yet, Gilead persists in other American states, and commanders beyond are tirelessly making efforts to relocate and broaden their stronghold. June finds contentment in her achievements but senses a compulsion to keep resisting.

In the second-to-last episode, Commander Joseph Lawrence (played by Bradley Whitford) executed a fatal plane explosion, ultimately giving his life to further their mission.

Margaret Atwood AgeBorn InWorks
85Ottawa, Ontario, Canada18 Books of Poetry, 18 Novels, 11 Nonfiction Books, 9 Collections of Short Fiction, 8 Children’s Books, 2 Graphic Novels, Various Small Press Editions

In a predicament with no place to call home and no nation granting her a passport, Serena (Yvonne Strahovski) finds herself alone, wandering from one shelter to another, scraping together whatever she needs to survive with her son, Noah. Despite Mark Tuello’s (Sam Jaeger) promises of finding a solution to aid her, she can only wait until he comes up with a plan. She offers a heartfelt apology to June, who eventually forgives her. As she lies on a worn-out bed in a church full of other refugees, Serena understands that Noah is the only thing she ever desired and all she’ll ever require. Her life has undergone a significant transformation, but her future remains uncertain.

In the dead of night, Aunt Lydia brings along Naomi (Ever Carradine), introducing her to June and Tuello. This act signifies Aunt Lydia’s attempt at redemption, particularly for her cherished friend Janine, hinting that she is secretly aligning herself with the resistance from within.

June and Luke (O-T Fagbenle) do not reconnect with Hannah, who June discovers has been relocated with her family to Washington – a location at least more accessible for her. Subsequently, June and Luke part ways, pursuing individual struggles within the resistance. However, they maintain an intention to reunite with Hannah in Washington, thus leaving the state of their relationship uncertain.

It’s made clear that June plans to compose a book detailing her experiences, inspired by the support of both her mother and Luke who urge her to revisit her journalistic background and document not only her struggles and successes, but also her determination to persevere and commitment to never quit.

15 years from now, in “The Testaments”, Hannah becomes a character, but a reunion between her and Moss doesn’t happen. Moss may not appear at all, although there’s a chance they might reunite in the future if she is still alive. For the time being, we can only imagine that her story continues through her book, which seems to be compiled from the narration heard throughout the entire .

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2025-05-28 04:11