What we know about the next season of “The Handmaid’s Tale”
If, after its recent bagful of Emmys this year (Best Supporting Actress, Best Lead Actress, Best Guest Actress, Best Director, Best Drama Series, Outstanding Writing, Outstanding Cinematography, Outstanding Production Design), you still haven’t watched Hulu’s compelling series The Handmaid’s Tale, now is as good a time as any.
Based on Margaret Atwood’s 1985 classic, the series follows the life of Offred, a woman, who, due to her fertility, is conscripted into being a “handmaid” – a woman who lives with one of society’s leaders and is forced into sexual servitude in an effort to become pregnant.
In case you were wondering – yes, it’s dark. The series is heavy, and the dystopian society of Gilead, which stands precariously upon the smouldering ruins of what was recently the USA seems like a chilling preview of what follows a Trump presidency.
But the show is graced by powerhouse performances from lead Elisabeth Moss (Offred), Alexis Bledel (Ofglen/Ofsteven), Ann Dowd (Aunt Lydia), and Samira Wiley (Moira), which ground the story with such moving humanity that it feels like each episode is a special, important message from beyond a veil.
Once you’ve finished with the first season’s ten episodes, you’ll no doubt be hungry for more. Happily, Hulu have commissioned a second season, and here’s everything we know about it so far:
- Production of the second season began in September of this year, which means we shouldn’t expect to see it on screens any earlier than mid-2018, though it could take longer.
- There will be 13 episodes of the next season.
- We don’t know every cast member who will return for the second season, but both Elisabeth Moss and Alexis Bledel are confirmed to be back.
- The first season ended in the same way the book does, so into the unknown we march as the producers and writers work with Atwood to craft brand new story to tell about Gilead.
- According to showrunner Bruce Miller, we will see more of Gilead/the world at large: “The world can get a lot bigger,” he said, when asked about the next season.
- We will meet Offred’s mother. According to Miller, “we’ve been talking about her from day one of Season 1.”
- The season premiere will be completely unexpected. Moss told EW, “There is literally no way that anyone can guess what happens. You can try, but you won’t do it.”
What do you think will happen to Offred in season two? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.