WARNING: This text comprises SPOILERS for Margaret Atwood’s Testomony novel. Readers discretion is suggested!After it was introduced {that a} spinoff to The Handmaid’s Story was within the works, there have been a number of updates surrounding The Testaments’ forged and story particulars. Set 15 years after The Handmaid’s Story, The Testaments is the second ebook within the franchise that follows the angle of three ladies, (Aunt Lydia, Agnes Jemima, and Daisy), whose accounts inform readers as to what occurred to Gilead after June Osborne was taken by “the Eyes”. After it was revealed that Aunt Lydia has secretly been a mole for Mayday, these three ladies quickly band collectively and attempt to deliver the regime down from the within.
Written by Margaret Atwood, the second novel in The Handmaid’s Story franchise is stuffed with thought-provoking subplots and continues to interact with matters, such because the repression of girls, the lack of company, and the abuse of energy. Nevertheless, provided that Hulu’s adaptation of The Handmaid’s Story has modified the destiny of a number of characters and added its personal creative liberties, viewers ought to count on The Testaments to do the identical because the writers attempt to preserve the story constant.
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The Testaments Newest Information
On March 28, 2023, it was reported that The Handmaid’s Story head showrunner, Bruce Miller, will probably be stepping down for season 6 so he can focus all his consideration on growing the spinoff collection, The Testaments (through Selection). Though he’s passing on the duties to Eric Tuchman and Yahlin Chang, Miller will proceed to function a author and govt producer on the primary present so he’ll know the place precisely he ought to begin and what characters will probably be obtainable to him as soon as The Handmaid’s Story ends.
The Testaments Confirmed
As reported by Deadline in September 2019, there have been rumors that Hulu and MGM TV had been engaged on getting The Testaments developed into its personal collection. Whereas there was not a number of particulars launched about it then (significantly for the reason that novel had but to be launched and The Handmaid’s Story had simply been renewed for season 4), consideration turned again to the spinoff in March 2023 when Miller introduced that he was stepping down as The Handmaid’s Story head showrunner to focus extra on the venture.
The Testaments Launch Date Information
With Madeline Brewer (who performs Janine) revealing on The Graham Norton Present’s 2022 New Yr’s Eve Particular that season 6 of The Handmaid’s Story will possible be launched someday in 2024 and Miller hinting that he hadn’t even began writing the story for the spinoff simply but, it’ll be some time earlier than The Testaments arrives. Nevertheless, given that every season of The Handmaid’s Story has been launched inside a yr of one another, it is possible that the spinoff will seem someday in 2025.
The Testaments Forged
Unsurprisingly, Ann Dowd is the one forged member of The Handmaid’s Story confirmed to be showing in The Testaments as she is ready to reprise her position as Aunt Lydia. Whereas Dowd has stated she is aware of nothing about what the writers have deliberate for her or the tv adaptation of the story, she is happy in regards to the venture since she did do “the audiobook of The Testaments” and believes the novel is “brilliantly written” and “extraordinary” (through EW).
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Which Handmaid’s Story Characters May Return
With the spinoff supposedly set 15 years after the occasions of the primary novel, it is extremely possible that many characters in The Handmaid’s Story will seem in The Testaments. Whereas Ann Dowd is already confirmed to be returning as Aunt Lydia within the spinoff, followers also needs to count on to see June’s youngsters, Nichole and Hannah (Daisy and Agnes within the ebook), return too as they’re additionally the protagonists of The Testaments. Nevertheless, count on them to be performed by totally different and older actors. The minor character, Aunt Elizabeth, may seem in The Testaments as nicely since she has a big position within the sequel ebook.
There is a risk that Elisabeth Moss’ June may make a quick look too for the reason that finish of the sequel novel sees “Daisy/Nicole” and “Agnes” reunited with their mom. Even when the writers determine to go kill off June in season 6, there’s nonetheless an opportunity that she may return in flashbacks scenes or report a message for them (identical to she did for Luke in season 3, episode 5 “Unknown Caller”).
The Testaments Story Particulars
Whereas it is unclear if the tv adaptation of The Testaments will observe the identical timeline, the story is supposed to happen 15 years after the occasions of The Handmaid’s Story, which noticed June being taken by the Eyes. As a substitute of following June Osborne (in any other case often known as Offred), the story is instructed from the angle of three ladies: the notorious Aunt Lydia, who’s revealed to be a spy for Mayday, Agnes Jemima, and Daisy (whose actual title is Nicole). Though their tales start elsewhere, they’re enlisted by Mayday and tasked with serving to the rebellious group deliver down Gilead from the within.
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Contemplating that season 3 of The Handmaid’s Story had simply completed by the point Atwood’s sequel novel was launched in 2019, the writers have needed to give you new methods for The Handmaid’s Story to arrange The Testaments. It is taken longer than anticipated however the season 5 finale did trace that Aunt Lydia’s loyalty in direction of Gilead is waning after witnessing the horrific remedy Esther Keyes (Mckenna Grace) and Janine skilled by the hands of the Commanders and their guidelines. With The Handmaid’s Story about to enter the ultimate season, it is possible viewers will see Aunt Lydia change into the rebellious determine they know in The Testaments.
Supply: Selection, Deadline, BBC, EW