The Handmaids Tale Showbiz Cheat Sheet

The Handmaids Tale
Elisabeth Moss as June in 'The Handmaid's Tale' Season 4 Episode 10, 'The Wilderness' | Sophie Giraud/Hulu
The Handmaids Tale
The Handmaid's Tale is a Hulu original series adapted from Canadian author Margaret Atwood's novel The Handmaid's Tale: The Graphic Novel. The dystopian series is set in the totalitarian society of Gilead, which used to be a part of the United States. It focuses on June/Offred (Elisabeth Moss) who is among the fertile minority of women. The Republic of Gilead, along with much of the world, struggles with reproduction. In Gilead, the fertile women serve as non-consenting reproductive surrogates for the powerful. The four seasons follow June trying to find her daughter, Hannah, while sharing the stories of the women and people of Gilead and their past.
- TV Genres: Drama, science fiction
- Platform: Hulu
- Where to Watch: Fans can watch the series on Hulu.
- Cast: Elisabeth Moss, Yvonne Strahovski, Samira Wiley, O-T Fagbenle, Alexis Bledel, Amanda Brugel, Max Minghella, Joseph Fiennes, and Bradley Whitford
- First Episode: April 26, 2017
- Adapted From: The Handmaid's Tale: The Graphic Novel
- Spinoffs: The Testaments is a spinoff series currently in development.
Visit Hulu's page for The Handmaid's Tale.
Read the latest articles about The Handmaid's Tale.
Entertainment
3 years ago
‘The Handmaid’s Tale’: June’s Future Could Be a ‘Long, Violent’ Road, Showrunner Says
Entertainment
3 years ago
‘The Handmaid’s Tale’: Will Nick Ever Leave Gilead and Join June in Canada?
Entertainment
3 years ago
Where Is ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Filmed?
Entertainment
3 years ago
‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Season 4: Elisabeth Moss’ Hardest Scene to Film Didn’t Involve Acting
Entertainment
2 years ago
‘The Handmaid’s Tale’: A New Teaser Shows Season 5 Is About June Facing Off Against Serena Joy

hulu

Judging the 'Dancing with the Stars' semifinals are Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli.

‘Dancing With the Stars’: These Fan-Favorite Celebrities in Danger of Elimination After Heartbreaking Semi-Finals Performances

'Dancing with the Stars' has five remaining celebrities, but only four will make it to the finals.

by Lucille Barilla

Published on November 19, 2024

3 min read

‘Dancing with the Stars’ Most Awkward Moments as the Show Celebrates Episode 500

'Dancing with the Stars' celebrates episode 500, but during a live show anything can happen. Here are the most awkward moments in the series' history.

by Lucille Barilla

'DWTS' judges and hosts Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, Bruno Tonioli, Alfonso Ribeiro, and Julianne Hough.

Beloved ‘DWTS’ Pros Confirmed, Rumored to Return to the Ballroom For the Series Milestone 500th Episode

'DWTS' celebrates its 500th episode with the return of some of the show's most beloved pros. Who's coming back?

by Lucille Barilla

‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Viewers Are Skipping Season 5 Over ‘Angry’ Elisabeth Moss Close-Ups

Some Hulu users are passing on 'The Handmaid's Tale' Season 5 to avoid having to see Elisabeth Moss' 'angry face' in the upcoming season.

by Jeff Nelson

Published on June 13, 2022

2 min read

‘Shining Girls’ Season 1 Episode 7 Recap: ‘Offset’

'Shining Girls' episode recap: In the May 26 episode, 'Offset,' Kirby and Dan learn the details on Clara's death as the time travel element becomes hard to ignore.

by Mandi Kerr

‘Shining Girls’ Season 1 Episode 6 Recap: ‘Bright’

'Shining Girls' episode recap: In the May 20 episode, 'Bright,' Kirby's attacker is revealed to be a man named Harper. Details about his past are explained, plus he encounters Kirby for the first time.

by Mandi Kerr

‘The Handmaid’s Tale’: Why Is Janine Missing an Eye?

The commanders of Gilead have some pretty strict rules when people disobey them. Here's what we know about Janine from Hulu's 'The Handmaid's Tale.'

by Julia Dzurillay

‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Season 5: Yvonne Strahovski Hopes This Serena Joy Fan Theory Comes True

Yvonne Strahovski is hoping a popular fan theory about Serena Joy Waterford comes true in 'The Handmaid's Tale' Season 5, mainly because it would be so much fun to play. Here, read the Serena Joy actor's theories on the character's future.

by Kelli Boyle

‘The Handmaid’s Tale’: In What Year Does the Show Take Place?

'The Handmaid's Tale' features a dystopian society, but there are moments that suggest this series takes place close to present day. Here's what we know about Hulu's original series.

by Julia Dzurillay

‘The Handmaid’s Tale’: The Meaning Behind June’s Name as a Handmaid — Offred

Before she lived in Gilead as a handmaid, this main character was named June Osborne. Here's what we know about the main character from Hulu's original series, 'The Handmaid's Tale.'

by Julia Dzurillay

Books / TV

‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Author Revealed Why Aunt Lydia Is ‘So Controlling’

The Handmaid's Tale author Margaret Atwood revealed why she wrote Aunt Lydia the way she did. Here's what she had to say.

by Matthew Trzcinski

‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Season 4: 1 Aunt Lydia Scene Set up Her ‘Testaments’ Plot, EP Says

'The Handmaid's Tale' is starting to connect itself to Margaret Atwood's 'The Testaments.' The sequel to the original 'Handmaid's Tale' novel is being developed into a spin-off series by 'The Handmaid's Tale' team, and showrunner Bruce Miller says Aunt Lydia's 'Testaments' plot was set up in season 4.

by Kelli Boyle

‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Season 4: 1 Line Made June Choose Revenge Over Family, Elisabeth Moss Says

June will never return to the way she was before Gilead. Elisabeth Moss says one line in 'The Handmaid's Tale' Season 4 made sure of this. Read about how Moss and director Liz Garbus' research into the lives of survivors of abuse informed June's decision to kill Fred in 'The Handmaid's Tale' Season 4 finale here.

by Kelli Boyle

‘The Handmaid’s Tale’: Ann Dowd Says Aunt Lydia Feels Like ‘She Made a Mistake With Janine’

In 'The Handmaid's Tale,' Ann Dowd plays Aunt Lydia and Madeline Brewer plays a Handmaid named Janine. The two characters have a complicated mother-daughter relationship. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter,' Dowd shared that Aunt Lydia regrets removing Janine's eye as punishment, and this is one of the reasons she is so attached to Janine.

by Eryn Murphy

‘The Handmaid’s Tale’: Ann Dowd Thinks Aunt Lydia Will Have a Complicated Reaction to June Killing Fred

In 'The Handmaid's Tale,' Ann Dowd plays Aunt Lydia, a compelling antagonist. While Aunt Lydia is frequently at odds with June Osborne in the show, Dowd told The Hollywood Reporter that Aunt Lydia would approve of June's decision to kill Commander Fred Waterford in the season 4 finale of 'The Handmaid's Tale.' However, Dowd does not think Aunt Lydia would ever admit this approval.

by Eryn Murphy

‘The Handmaid’s Tale’: 1 Violent Scene Was Cut From Season 2 After Joseph Fiennes Refused to Film It

The Handmaid's Tale is a series that has been in the headlines a lot over the past few years.

by Christina Nunn

Entertainment

‘The Handmaid’s Tale’: Elisabeth Moss on Whether She’ll Appear in ‘The Testaments’

June Osborne is mentioned in Margaret Atwood's 'The Testaments,' but she's not a main character. Hulu is developing the novel into a 'Handmaid's Tale' spin-off series. Elisabeth Moss commented on the possibility of her appearing in 'The Testaments' in a recent interview.

by Kelli Boyle

‘The Handmaid’s Tale’: Will Mckenna Grace Be in Season 5?

Mckenna Grace was added to the cast for 'The Handmaid's Tale' Season 4, but will she be in 'The Handmaid's Tale' Season 5? Here, we break down Esther Keyes' character arc and how she could fit into season 5.

by Kelli Boyle

‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Season 5: Showrunner Reveals Serena Joy’s Reaction to Fred’s Demise

Serena Joy's reaction to Fred Waterford's death in 'The Handmaid's Tale' Season 4 finale is yet to be seen. But showrunner Bruce Miller promises eager fans will see her reaction in season 5, saying she'll be filled with 'white-hot' rage and seeking revenge. But not for the reason you'd think.

by Kelli Boyle

‘The Handmaid’s Tale’: An Episode in Season 2 Foreshadowed Why Nick and June Kissed in Front of Fred

The season 4 finale of 'The Handmaid's Tale,' titled 'The Wilderness,' premiered on Hulu on June 16. In the episode, June Osborne and Nick Blaine kiss in front of Commander Fred Waterford. While some might think the kiss was out of place or unnecessary, an episode from season 2 foreshadowed that Nick and June kissed in front of Fred as a power move to show they aren't loyal to him.

by Eryn Murphy

‘The Handmaid’s Tale’: Elisabeth Moss Reveals Nick Is ‘the Only Thing’ She Cares About in Season 5

In 'The Handmaid's Tale,' there is a complicated love triangle between June Osborne, Nick Blaine, and Luke Bankole. June seemingly picked Nick in the season 4 finale of the series, but the show is renewed for a fifth season, meaning her choice might not be final. In an interview with Elle, Elisabeth Moss, who plays June, shared that Nick is 'the only thing' she cares about for the fifth season.

by Eryn Murphy

‘The Handmaid’s Tale’: What Is Serena Joy’s Real Name?

'The Handmaid's Tale' includes a few new names for its characters. Here's what we know about the commander's wife, named Serena Joy Waterford.

by Julia Dzurillay

‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Season 4 Finale Script Reveals Nick Knew How June Planned to Kill Fred

The season 4 finale of 'The Handmaid's Tale' premiered on June 16. In the episode, Commander Lawrence and Commander Nick Blaine help June and her friends murder Commander Fred Waterford. An early version of the script reveals that Nick actually knew exactly how June planned to kill Fred, showing just how much June and Nick shared with one another.

by Eryn Murphy

‘The Handmaid’s Tale’: Joseph Fiennes Will Be in Season 5, Showrunner Confirms

Joseph Fiennes' Fred Waterford will be part of 'The Handmaid's Tale' Season 5, according to showrunner Bruce Miller. Fred met his brutal end in 'The Handmaid's Tale' Season 4 finale, and it was incredibly cathartic for viewers. Here, Miller explains how Fred will come back, and Joseph Fiennes explains why he's happy about Fred's death.

by Kelli Boyle

‘Blessed Be the Fruit’: A Guide to the Phrases Used in ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’

It's a different world in Gilead, complete with new sayings and words used by the citizens. Here's our guide to the terminology used in 'The Handmaid's Tale.'

by Julia Dzurillay

‘The Handmaid’s Tale’: Why the Actors Relied Heavily on Sound Instead of Sight

Costumes and colors are an important aspect of Gilead in 'The Handmaid's Tale.' Here's what made the handmaid costumes so restricting for the actors.

by Julia Dzurillay

The Handmaids Tale

Read the latest articles about The Handmaid's Tale.