As a dedicated gamer, I’ve just finished the epic six-season journey of “The Handmaid’s Tale.” The ending was far from tidy, and it seems that was the creators’ intention. Instead of providing June Osborne with a clear-cut conclusion, the finale left several plotlines unresolved, hinting at the upcoming series, “The Testaments.
Does The Handmaid’s Tale set the stage for its spin-off, The Testaments?
Instead of providing a resolution, the finale of The Handmaid’s Tale left June struggling once again, this time trying to save Hannah, who is now known as Agnes within Gilead. This decision wasn’t haphazard; Margaret Atwood’s 2019 sequel novel, The Testaments, primarily focuses on Agnes and a new generation of girls ensnared in Gilead’s corrupt system. By ending the show this way, it sets up these two narratives to intersect in the future.
Bruce Miller, the producer responsible for both series, has revealed in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter that The Testaments will take place “four years” after The Handmaid’s Tale. Aunt Lydia, portrayed by Ann Dowd, will serve as a connection between the two narratives. In contrast to previous seasons, which depicted Gilead from the perspective of a woman who had experienced freedom, viewers will now follow girls who have only known a life within the boundaries of a Gilead society.
To better understand how The Handmaid’s Tale prepares for its spin-off, The Testaments, the link is primarily established through narrative elements. For instance, June’s determination to keep fighting for Hannah ensures her impact continues, even if actress Elisabeth Moss does not appear on screen. Additionally, Aunt Lydia’s covert alliance with Mayday in the final episode changes her from an antagonist to a wildcard character. In The Testaments, she operates a school for prospective wives, but her true allegiances still remain obscure.
In regards to the cast, it’s confirmed that Ann Dowd will reappear in the series, which may hint at a connection between The Handmaid’s Tale and The Testaments. Bruce Miller hasn’t completely ruled out surprise appearances from other surviving characters, but he firmly believes that Serena Joy’s story has reached its conclusion. For those who have watched The Handmaid’s Tale, there will be deeper connections to explore in The Testaments.
Read More
2025-06-10 07:40