The Testaments: Sequel Series to The Handmaid’s Tale Begins Production

TORONTO, Canada — The sequel series to the acclaimed TV show The Handmaid’s Tale, titled The Testaments, has officially begun production. Filming started on April 7, 2025, as fans eagerly await the continuation of this dystopian narrative.

Executive producers Bruce Miller and Warren Littlefield confirm that The Testaments will take place 15 years after the events of The Handmaid’s Tale. The series is also based on Margaret Atwood’s novel of the same name, which serves as a sequel to her original 1985 work.

The cast includes notable actors such as Ann Dowd, who will reprise her role as Aunt Lydia. Newcomers to the series, including Chase Infiniti and Lucy Halliday, will take on key roles as Agnes and Daisy, respectively. Their characters will navigate the complex social landscape of Gilead, and their stories will intertwine as they uncover the resistance against the regime.

Dowd described her character’s evolution, noting that Aunt Lydia’s views on Gilead have changed significantly. Now part of a new social class known as the Pearl Girls, Lydia is depicted as more protective, contrasting her earlier portrayal among the Handmaids.

Production on The Testaments has been in preparation since 2022, with the final season of The Handmaid’s Tale airing concurrently. The anticipation builds as the show aims to deliver a fresh perspective on Gilead.

While a release date for The Testaments has not yet been announced, speculation points to a potential 2026 premiere. Amidst discussions of character arcs and plotlines, the production team is keen to maintain a sense of continuity with the original series while exploring new themes.

Viewers can expect to see more on Aunt Lydia and her relationship with the Pearl Girls, as Dowd emphasizes the importance of their choices within the rigid confines of Gilead’s society.