Growing Up Gilead: How ‘The Testaments’ Brings a “Beautiful Darkness” to ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Universe (Exclusive)

Growing Up Gilead: How ‘The Testaments’ Brings a “Beautiful Darkness” to ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Universe In a dramatic departure from its predecessor, Hulu and MGM's coming-of-age next Margaret Atwood adaptation feels significantly lighter, even bordering on whimsical — before the cracks of resistance emerge: "There’s nothing in the world as powerful as a 14-year-old girl," says creator Bruce Miller. By Max Gao Plus Icon Max Gao @MaxJGao Follow Sign Up View All March 5, 2026 Share on Facebook Share on X Google Preferred Share to Flipboard Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Send an Email Print the Article Post a Comment Logo text Bruce Miller has no interest in retreading old The Handmaid’s Tale ground. Over the course of six seasons, the veteran showrunner transformed Canadian author Margaret Atwood ’s 1985 novel — a near-future dystopian tale about a theocratic, totalitarian regime known as the Republic of Gilead, which overthrew the U.S. government and stripped women of their rights amid a global fertility crisis — into a terrifyingly timely Emmy-winning series. But after spending the better part of a decade charting the quiet revolution of Elisabeth Moss ’ starring protagonist June Osborne — a 30-something woman gradually rebelling against her bleak life of servitude as a fertile surrogate for the ruling class after being torn apart from her husband Luke (O-T Fagbenle) and daughter Hannah — Miller knew that he needed a different entry point for his return to Gilead. Related Stories TV 'The Testaments': Trailer for 'The Handmaid's Tale' Sequel Series Reveals a Coming-of-Age Thriller Lifestyle 2026 Actor Awards: Demi Moore, Chase Infiniti and Jacob Elordi Among the Night's Best-Dressed Stars Thankfully, Atwood was already one step ahead of him , publishing The Testaments , a sequel set 15 years after the events of her most seminal novel, in 2019, which was six years before The Handmai...