The Testaments
The long-awaited conclusion to one of the most influential dystopias of modern times. Ann Dowd shines in the role of a complex antagonist with a human face, and the scale of the story extends beyond Gilead to the international arena.
Premiere on Hulu is scheduled for April 8, 2026 — a spin-off of the cult classic "The Handmaid's Tale" based on the novel by Margaret Atwood. The action takes place 15 years after the finale of the original series (and 4 years after the events of the book). Three narrative lines: Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd), revealing her backstory and secret opposition to the regime; Agnes — June's daughter, raised in Gilead and unaware of the truth about her mother; and Daisy (Nicole), rescued by June and raised in Canada. The tone is a drawn-out thriller with elements of a spy detective story: less claustrophobia of the "red center," more political intrigue and international operations. The mini-series format (10 episodes) concludes the story of Gilead. For fans of "The Handmaid's Tale" waiting for a continuation and those interested in post-apocalyptic dystopias from a female perspective.
Absolutely — key characters return (June is constantly mentioned, Serena Waterford appears in flashbacks), and the plot is tied to the consequences of the original's finale.
The events of "The Testaments" take place 15 years later — June has become a legend of the resistance, but her personal fate is gradually revealed through her daughters' memories.
Biological daughter of June and Nick, smuggled to Canada as a baby — she grew up in the free world, but is drawn to uncover the truth about her origins.
No, "The Testaments" closes the arc of "The Handmaid's Tale" — 10 episodes cover the entire Atwood book and provide a conclusion to the story of Gilead.
The series "The Handmaid's Tale" already deviated from the canon, "The Testaments" continues this trend, but the finale is agreed upon with Atwood and is considered canonical.