Hulu has revealed that The Testaments, the sequel to The Handmaid's Tale, will premiere on April 8, 2026, with three episodes available initially followed by weekly releases. The series, based on Margaret Atwood's 2019 novel, is set 15 years after the original and centers on Aunt Lydia and two young women navigating life in Gilead. Produced by MGM Television, it features returning star Ann Dowd alongside a new ensemble cast.
The announcement comes shortly after The Handmaid's Tale concluded its six-season run in May 2025. Created by showrunner Bruce Miller, who also executive produces alongside Warren Littlefield, Elisabeth Moss, and others, The Testaments explores a coming-of-age story in the dystopian regime of Gilead. According to the official synopsis, it follows 'a new generation of young women in Gilead grappling with the bleak future that awaits them,' as they seek allies to fight for freedom amid indoctrination and servitude.
Ann Dowd reprises her role as the formidable Aunt Lydia, a central figure in the narrative. The young leads include Chase Infiniti as Agnes, a dutiful and pious teen, and Lucy Halliday as Daisy, a newcomer from outside Gilead's borders. Their experiences at Aunt Lydia's elite preparatory school form the core of the plot, where obedience is enforced with 'brutal and always with divine justification.'
The ensemble cast also features Rowan Blanchard as Shunammite, a pampered teen from a prominent family; Mattea Conforti as Becka, from humble origins; Mabel Li as Aunt Vidala; Amy Seimetz as Paula; Brad Alexander as Commander Garth; Zarrin Darnell-Martin as Aunt Gabbana; Eva Foote as Aunt Estee; Isolde Ardies as Hulda; Shechinah Mpumlwana as Jehosheba; Birva Pandya as Miriam; and Kira Guloien as Rosa.
Season 1 consists of 10 episodes, streaming exclusively on Hulu in the US and Disney+ in the UK. No trailer has been released yet, but the series is expected to stand alone while benefiting from familiarity with the original. Mike Barker directs the first three episodes. While some fans express mixed feelings about moving beyond the original characters, the adaptation stays true to Atwood's sequel novel, focusing on new perspectives within the same oppressive world.
