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

      In The Testaments, Hulu’s spinoff of the acclaimed The Handmaid’s Tale, viewers do not interact with Handmaids; this was a conscious choice made by showrunner Bruce Miller.

      Margaret Atwood penned the original novel The Handmaid’s Tale in 1985, followed by its sequel in 2019, inspired by her experiences on the Toronto set of the series.

      Set 15 years after the first story, the new narrative centers on Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd), Agnes (Chase Infiniti), and Daisy (Lucy Halliday), taking place at Aunt Lydia’s prestigious school for future wives.

      “I aimed to capture Gilead’s beauty and its horrors, with the beauty shaping the world of these characters,” Miller explains. “For girls at the pinnacle of society, everything must appear serene and lovely.”

      While Handmaids still exist in this society, the students at Aunt Lydia’s institution find them peculiar: They travel in groups, their faces are concealed, and they remain silent.

      “It’s not just their fertility that unsettles them; it’s Gilead’s enforced clothing and the isolation imposed on them,” Miller clarifies. “It’s tragic because they are on the same trajectory, destined to become sexual slaves.”

      As audiences know, Agnes is the daughter of Handmaid June (Elisabeth Moss), and Daisy regards June as a maternal figure. The initial four episodes alternate perspectives, showcasing how each character perceives their world.

      “Agnes wouldn’t look directly at the camera,” Miller notes. “She’s been raised in Gilead, so she would look down. However, Daisy looks straight at the camera. She’s like a bulldog trying to stay quiet in Gilead, but it’s incredibly difficult for her.”

      Miller discusses the risks women encounter:

      Chase Infiniti plays Agnes in The Testaments. Image courtesy of Hulu.

      Bringing Moss, an executive producer on the series, back as June was crucial but proved challenging because of her busy schedule. Miller aimed to maintain flexible production to integrate June into the storyline.

      Another hurdle involved portraying the mindset of a 15-year-old girl. Miller acknowledges this was an area he needed to address and wanted to avoid making assumptions about experiences like a first period. Instead, he concentrated on how the male characters overlook significant issues and collaborated closely with actresses, female writers, and Atwood to provide the most authentic experiences.

      “I’m consistently amazed by what women endure daily,” he states, noting his upbringing with three sisters and the many women in his life, which encourages him to avoid generalizations.

      “It’s difficult to grasp the dangers women face. This has truly opened my eyes,” he admits. “I hope my naïve perspective enables me to rely on real facts and specifics for the characters. I aim to avoid overstepping or making sweeping statements about all women in this universe.”

      The Testaments will also delve deeper into Aunt Lydia’s character, promising more screen time for the Emmy-winning Dowd.

      “Aunt Lydia serves as the connection between the two worlds, and Ann is a commanding performer and leader for the cast,” Miller remarks. “There was no need to reintroduce her; you already know her well. Plus, she’s more frightening when she’s absent.”

      The Testaments is currently available to stream on Hulu.

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