While June is rebelling against Gilead inThe Handmaid’s Tale, the sequel show has a different idea in mind. After five seasons of suffering, June and the Handmaids are leading a full-scale revolution against the oppressive government inThe Handmaid’s Tale’s final season. The season six premiere has already earned praise from critics, includingScreenRant’s Robert Pitman, who called the upcoming last episodes “just as good as the early seasons”, while complaining that the sequel show,The Testaments, “is the biggest detriment to season 6”, as it spoils the finale.
In an interview withScreenRant’s Tatiana Hullender, creator Bruce Miller and executive producer Warren Littlefield confirm thatThe Testamentsdoes give away something about the ending. Littlefield stated that “Yes, Gilead is still there”, while both producers explained that there will be a difference in perspective from the original show. After all,The Handmaid’s Talefocused on June, who experienced a world prior to Gilead’s existence, while the sequel show will focus on a woman who was raised in Gilead. Check out their quotes below:
ScreenRant:We knowThe Testamentsis coming, so Gilead is not overthrown in a day. How are you approaching that differently from the last six years ofThe Handmaid’s Tale?
Bruce Miller:I think June was at the very bottom of the ladder in Gilead. She was barely considered a woman. But her daughter, Agnes Mackenzie, who’s still stuck in Gilead, is at the very top of the order. So, what you realize is that they’re incredibly valued by Gilead, but it doesn’t matter.Being at the top or being at the bottom is still s–ttyfor a woman in Gilead.
Warren Littlefield:When we do The Testaments, that would befour years later, but we will end this year of The Handmaid’s Tale with a sense of closure and accomplishment. But yes, Gilead is still there, so we’re going to have an entirely different point of view.
It’s about young girls coming of age in that world; having only ever known the world that was Gilead. It’s a completely different point of view, with completely different orientation than The Handmaid’s Tale. I think that’s going be, and it’s going to be exciting. It’s going to be a beautiful place, but we’ll of course pull back the veil and remind people that in fact that they’re still in Gilead.
June’s Rebellion Is Damned
WhileThe Handmaid’s Taleoften focuses on June’s quiet attempts at rebelling against the established social order, theupcoming spin-off,The Testaments, is based on a book in which June never plays a substantial role. The show has already reportedly begun production, but Miller just confirmed that it will diverge substantially from the book. After all, in Margaret Atwood’s original book, the main characters areAunt Lydia (Ann Dowd), Aunt-in-Training Agnes Jemima, and Daisy, a 16-year-old Canadian girl, who is also known as Nichole Osborne. Both Agnes and Daisy will likely be portrayed as June’s children.
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Based on Miller’s comments, Agnes Jemima will also likely be replaced by Hannah Bankole, June’s daughter. The change would fit, asHannah was given the name Agnes MacKenzieby her adopted family, and she has been living in Gilead since she was a little girl. It would help to tie the show closer toThe Handmaid’s Tale, which should satisfy audiences, and it means thatmany existing members of the castcan return for the sequel show. The changes will be significant, but they will likely lead to a similar story overall, even if June’s daughters are more involved.
Image via Hulu
After six seasons in the same general setting, it will be good to see some level of change in Gilead. June’s rebellion may be damned to fail, but it will still be interesting to see a new culture of Handmaids that are fully raised in this extremely oppressive society.The Handmaid’s Taleset itself apart by showcasing a modern-day response to the regime, andThe Testamentscan distinguish itself further by remaining fully embedded in that world. Gilead needed change, and this show could provide the perfect path forward.
