The Testaments showrunner Bruce Miller discusses the spinoff of The Handmaid's Tale.

      In The Testaments, the Hulu spinoff of the acclaimed series The Handmaid’s Tale, you won't be spending time with Handmaids—a choice made intentionally by showrunner Bruce Miller.

      Margaret Atwood penned The Handmaid’s Tale novel in 1985 and was inspired to write the sequel in 2019 during her time on the Toronto set of the series.

      Set 15 years after the original, the new narrative centers around Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd), Agnes (Chase Infiniti), and Daisy (Lucy Halliday), taking place at Aunt Lydia’s exclusive school for prospective wives.

      "I wanted it to embody Gilead both in its beautiful and terrifying aspects, but the beauty shapes the world these characters inhabit,” Miller explains. “For these girls at the pinnacle of society, there's a desire for everything to appear serene and attractive.”

      Although Handmaids still exist in this universe, the young women at Aunt Lydia’s institution find them peculiar: They travel in groups, their faces are always obscured, and they remain silent.

      Miller clarifies, “What disturbs them isn’t merely the Handmaids' fertility; it's the bizarre clothing Gilead has imposed on them and their enforced separation." He laments, “It’s tragic, as they are on the same trajectory toward becoming sexual slaves.”

      Viewers know that Agnes is the daughter of Handmaid June (Elisabeth Moss), while Daisy views June as a maternal figure. The first four episodes shift perspectives between characters, with narration that highlights their differing perceptions of the world around them.

      Miller notes, “Agnes wouldn’t look at a camera directly.” Raised in Gilead, she would gaze downward. In contrast, Daisy confronts the camera, akin to a bulldog trying to remain subdued, yet struggling to stay silent in Gilead.

      Miller discusses the pervasive fears women experience, emphasizing the importance of featuring Moss, an executive producer, as June again—though it was a complex task due to her busy schedule. To facilitate June's return to the narrative, Miller aimed for maximum flexibility in production.

      Another hurdle was understanding the mindset of a 15-year-old girl. Acknowledging this gap, Miller avoided making assumptions about experiences like having a first period. Instead, he concentrated on how the male characters overlook crucial details and collaborated closely with the actors, female writers, and Atwood to present authentic experiences.

      “I continually find it astounding what women endure daily,” he shares, pointing out his upbringing with three sisters and his efforts to avoid making broad generalizations.

      “It’s challenging to comprehend the dangers women face. It has been an eye-opening experience for me,” he adds. “I hope that my naivety enables me to rely on factual details and remain true to the characters. My aim is to ensure I’m not overstepping my boundaries or making sweeping statements about all women in this context.”

      The Testaments will also explore Aunt Lydia’s character more deeply, giving fans the opportunity to see more of the Emmy-winning Dowd.

      “Aunt Lydia serves as the bridge between the two worlds, and Ann is not only a powerful actress but also a strong leader among the cast,” Miller remarks. “We didn’t need to reintroduce her; the audience was already familiar with her. Moreover, she’s more unsettling when she’s absent.”

      The Testaments is now available for streaming on Hulu.

      Main image: Chase Infiniti as Agnes, left, and Lucy Halliday as Daisy in The Testaments. Courtesy of Hulu.