“The Handmaid’s Story” has gotten a sequel within the type of “The Testaments,” a brand new Hulu collection starring Chase Infiniti. So, what does Margaret Atwood, who authored the supply novels for each reveals, take into consideration this new collection? Not solely does she prefer it, however she apparently already shot a top-secret cameo.
On Atwood’s official web site, the Canadian speculative fiction creator revealed, months earlier than the collection debuted on Hulu on April 8, 2026, that she filmed a cameo. She really addressed it twice, writing, “I’ve a cameo in [‘The Testaments’], although I am unable to say as what, besides that it is scowly.” Elsewhere, she wrote, “I am unable to inform you what half I’m taking part in — secret! — nevertheless it was a pleasure to work with the wonderful crew, and to observe the [marvelous] Ann Dowd in motion as Aunt Lydia, alongside the very proficient actresses taking part in the 2 younger feminine leads. Cannot wait to see the completed episodes!”
“The Testaments,” when you’re not but acquainted, picks up about 4 years after the conclusion of “The Handmaid’s Story.” The latter present tailored Atwood’s well-known novel about Gilead, a dystopian model of the U.S. the place cisgender ladies are subjugated and “used,” primarily, for house responsibilities and breeding. Infiniti stars in “The Testaments” as Agnes, though we noticed a youthful model of the character, often known as Hannah, in “The Handmaid’s Story.” Agnes/Hannah is the daughter of June Osborne (Elisabeth Moss) however was taken from her when the U.S. grew to become Gilead. In “The Testaments,” nevertheless, Agnes would not know her mom was a Handmaid turned revolutionary, neither is she conscious that Gilead newcomer Daisy (Lucy Halliday), offered as a convert to Gilead’s strict life-style, encountered June in Canada earlier than being dropped at Gilead.
So, how trustworthy is “The Testaments” to Atwood’s novel? It is fairly shut, apart from one factor.
The Handmaid’s Story showrunner Bruce Miller made one huge change for The Testaments
Whereas “The Handmaid’s Story” and “The Testaments” showrunner Bruce Miller labored very intently with Margaret Atwood and used her phrase as gospel when adapting “The Handmaid’s Story” for the small display, he made an essential change to Daisy’s character for “The Testaments.” Within the present’s supply materials, Daisy is additionally June’s daughter, aka. Nichole/Holly, and was born again when June was a Handmaid, a lady used for childbirth by highly effective Commanders in Gilead. So, why did Miller determine to as an alternative make Daisy a younger Canadian woman whose mother and father are slaughtered for his or her involvement in Mayday, the anti-Gilead resistance, for his TV adaptation?
“When making ‘Handmaid’s,’ I adopted the ‘when doubtful, observe Margaret’ coverage. And it labored very, very nicely,” as he defined to The Hollywood Reporter. “Not simply out of fealty to her or to the e book, however virtually, she’s an excellent storyteller.” For “The Testaments,” although, he wished Daisy and Agnes to really work together … and truthfully? As a viewer and fan of each Atwood’s novels and these reveals, I feel this can be a shrewd selection on Miller’s half. Letting Daisy and Agnes play off one another is improbable (Chase Infiniti and Lucy Halliday are nice collectively), however there was a timeline concern for Miller.
“I did not need to make any modifications in any respect, however I felt like I wished to have Daisy and Agnes bodily collectively, and never inform their tales 15 years aside like they do within the e book,” Miller continued. As for Nichole/Holly, he famous “she exists within the collection and he or she’s a baby” and notes that “there are little hints that she’s on the market,” so possibly we’ll see her ultimately in “The Testaments.”
The Testaments hyperlinks itself to The Handmaid’s Story with Margaret Atwood’s blessing and assist
Individuals who have cherished “The Handmaid’s Story” — and by that I imply Margaret Atwood’s e book — because it was initially revealed in 1985 are most likely glad to listen to that not solely does Atwood seem to approve of Bruce Miller’s changes to her story, however that she additionally works intently with Miller to assist understand her imaginative and prescient.
“I am not a kind of authors who stated, ‘The necktie is incorrect. I am taking my title off the challenge.’ I do know the compromises it’s a must to make, and also you need anyone who’s going to make one of the best ones,” Atwood informed The Hollywood Reporter in a Could 2025 oral historical past of “The Handmaid’s Story” that ran earlier than “The Testaments” premiered. “Bruce and I may discuss frankly. He is so crammed with enthusiasm and vitality. It wasn’t only a job to him. It was achievement of his lifetime dream.”
That is apparently why Miller was so glad when Atwood launched her long-awaited sequel novel. “After I revealed ‘The Testaments,’ Bruce stated, ‘Thanks, thanks, thanks,'” Atwood recalled. “He was very glad to have one thing later in time that follows up on the people who find themselves youngsters or infants through the authentic.”
It’s genuinely fascinating to reconnect with the characters in “The Testaments” that we noticed in “The Handmaid’s Story,” like June Osborne and Ann Dowd’s Aunt Lydia, and meet women like Agnes, who would not know there’s even a free world outdoors of the oppressively lovely Gilead. Not solely that, however we additionally get to see them join, that means that we would even see June and Agnes reunite … and it is good to know that Atwood approves of all of it.
“The Testaments” is streaming on Hulu now.
