The Testaments Creator Reveals If You Need to Watch The Handmaid's Tale First

Showrunner Bruce Miller discusses the new Hulu sequel series and how it stands on its own for new viewers.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 8:08pm

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An extreme close-up of shimmering sequins in dramatic, high-contrast lighting, conveying the luxurious, high-stakes aesthetic of the new Hulu series The Testaments.The bold, glitzy textures of The Testaments sequel series promise to captivate audiences both new and old to the world of Gilead.Los Angeles Today

The Testaments, a sequel series to The Handmaid's Tale, premieres on Hulu on April 8. Showrunner Bruce Miller tells PEOPLE that the new show is designed to be user-friendly for audiences who haven't seen the original Elisabeth Moss-led series. While there are connections for fans, prior knowledge of The Handmaid's Tale is not required to enjoy The Testaments, which focuses on new characters like Agnes, played by Chase Infiniti. Miller says series star Elisabeth Moss was excited about the young cast and their performances.

Why it matters

The Testaments is a highly anticipated follow-up to the acclaimed The Handmaid's Tale series, expanding the world of Gilead and introducing new perspectives. By making the show accessible to new viewers, the creators are broadening the potential audience and allowing more people to engage with Margaret Atwood's dystopian vision.

The details

The Testaments is set 15 years after the events of The Handmaid's Tale and features three new points of view, including Agnes, the daughter of a powerful Gilead Commander, who attends an elite prep school run by the returning character Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd). Showrunner Bruce Miller says the new young cast, which includes actors like Rowan Blanchard and Mattea Conforti, were 'remarkable' to work with, and that series star Elisabeth Moss was excited about their performances and how they made the show their own.

  • The Testaments premieres on Hulu on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.
  • The new series is set 15 years after the events of The Handmaid's Tale.

The players

Bruce Miller

The showrunner of both The Handmaid's Tale and The Testaments, who tells PEOPLE that the new sequel series is designed to be accessible for audiences unfamiliar with the original show.

Elisabeth Moss

The star of The Handmaid's Tale, who is an executive producer on The Testaments and was excited about the new young cast and their performances.

Ann Dowd

The actress who reprises her role as Aunt Lydia from The Handmaid's Tale, with a larger focus on her character in the new sequel series.

Chase Infiniti

The actress who plays the new character of Agnes, the daughter of a powerful Gilead Commander, in The Testaments.

Margaret Atwood

The acclaimed author whose 2019 novel The Testaments serves as the basis for the new Hulu sequel series.

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What they’re saying

“The Testaments is its own show. You don't have to watch The Handmaid's Tale and even if you don't know anything about a Handmaid, I wanted it to be very user-friendly.”

— Bruce Miller, Showrunner

“She loved the way it looked. She loved the performances. She loved how bold these young actors are. They're the next generation behind her. It's amazing to watch.”

— Bruce Miller, Showrunner

“I'm so excited for people to see, especially the young cast, and them working with Ann Dowd. It was remarkable every single day seeing [them]. I love watching them do what they do, but this young group, learning together — they didn't have much experience, but they were so good.”

— Bruce Miller, Showrunner

What’s next

The first three episodes of The Testaments will premiere on Hulu on April 8, 2026, with new episodes released weekly after that.

The takeaway

By making The Testaments accessible to new viewers, the creators are expanding the reach of Margaret Atwood's acclaimed dystopian world and allowing more people to engage with the story and characters, while still providing depth and connections for fans of the original The Handmaid's Tale series.