Hulu's 'The Testaments' Explores Gilead Through a New Generation

Showrunner and EPs discuss the power of teenage girls in the chilling world of the 'Handmaid's Tale' sequel

Apr. 2, 2026 at 7:18am

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Hulu's new series 'The Testaments,' based on Margaret Atwood's sequel novel, shifts the focus from adult women to a generation of young women who have never known life outside Gilead's totalitarian regime. Showrunner Bruce Miller and executive producers Warren Littlefield and Steve Stark discuss how this change in perspective drives the show's narrative and themes, highlighting the unique tension and power of teenage girls navigating Gilead's oppressive society.

Why it matters

As 'The Handmaid's Tale' explored the experiences of adult women under Gilead's rule, 'The Testaments' provides a fresh look at the next generation coming of age in the totalitarian world. The showrunner and EPs emphasize the inherent power and resilience of teenage girls, who they see as the key to challenging and ultimately transforming the patriarchal system.

The details

The series centers on two young women - Agnes, a dutiful and pious Gilead native, and Daisy, a new arrival from beyond Gilead's borders. As they navigate the elite preparatory school run by Aunt Lydia, their bond becomes the catalyst for upending the past, present, and future of Gilead. The show's creators note that the teenage characters' normal adolescent experiences, like flirting or rebelling, take on heightened stakes in the repressive society, creating constant conflict and drama.

  • The Testaments premieres on Hulu on April 8, 2026, launching with its first three episodes.
  • New episodes will be released weekly following the premiere.

The players

Bruce Miller

The creator and showrunner of The Testaments, who previously developed The Handmaid's Tale for television.

Warren Littlefield

An executive producer on The Testaments, known for his work on acclaimed series like Fargo and The Handmaid's Tale.

Steve Stark

An executive producer on The Testaments, with a background in producing high-profile television dramas.

Chase Infiniti

The actress starring as Agnes, one of the two young protagonists at the center of The Testaments.

Daisy

The other young protagonist in The Testaments, a new arrival to Gilead's borders.

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What they’re saying

“We had conversations about lots of different worlds that were interesting, but this one in particular with young women who grew up in Gilead and didn't know anything else, that is a real, completely different kind of person.”

— Bruce Miller, Creator and Showrunner

“Nothing's more powerful than a teenage girl. When you're dealing with young women who grew up in a world where they think this is normal, they just start to discover the cracks of that and their own sort of sense of self and self-worth, and they start to tear it down. It's really, really powerful. Young women are very, very powerful, and very influential, and I certainly live that every day.”

— Steve Stark, Executive Producer

“The idea that we could do it again and actually do it a whole different way with young people that actually provide a level of hope. Nothing's more powerful than a teenage girl.”

— Steve Stark, Executive Producer

What’s next

The Testaments will continue to explore the experiences of young women in Gilead, with new episodes premiering weekly on Hulu following the initial three-episode launch.

The takeaway

By shifting the focus to a new generation of women in Gilead, The Testaments taps into the inherent power and resilience of teenage girls, who the showrunner and producers see as the key to challenging and transforming the oppressive patriarchal society depicted in the Handmaid's Tale universe.