Only a few series ever leave an indelible mark on viewers’ psyches that lasts long after the story ends on screen. One such incredible piece of art is The Handmaid’s Tale, based on Margaret Atwood’s bestselling novel of the same name. Ever since the show debuted in 2017, it has been a burning topic of conversation for the crucial issues it addresses and an unsettling storyline that burns you with rage.
With the show’s end in 2025, fans were sad to bid adieu. However, a sequel series is on its way to expand the world of authoritarian control, resistance, and survival. Based on Margaret Atwood’s 2019 novel, The Testaments is already generating buzz for how it will carry forward the legacy of one of television’s most haunting dystopias.
Here’s everything you need to know about The Testaments, its story, how it connects to The Handmaid’s Tale, and when you can expect it to arrive.
What Is The Testaments About?
The Testaments offers a glimpse into the future of Gilead and the cracks beginning to form within it. The narrative resolves around similar themes of totalitarian control and subjugation of women, the same elements that will anger and enrage you.
The story unfolds through the perspectives of three central women, each positioned very differently within the regime. One of them is Aunt Lydia, a key figure familiar to fans of the original series. The series also introduces two younger women who have grown up under Gilead’s rule, showing what it means to live in a society where oppression is normalized.
The Testaments expands its scope to explore not just survival but also rebellion and the possibility of dismantling Gilead from within. Even without autonomy, women will rise to the occasion and fight for the liberty that is rightfully theirs. The tone remains dark and suspenseful, but resistance and flickering hope for long-term change offer a fresh perspective on the events.
How is The Testaments Connected to The Handmaid’s Tale?
Still from The Testaments | Credits: Hulu
The Testaments and The Handmaid’s Tale are set in the same narrative universe, with the former continuing the story of the latter, set 15 years later. The connection between the two shows is direct, yet deeply layered. The Testaments continues the same narrative universe, building on characters, themes, and unresolved arcs.
The character of Aunt Lydia, played by Ann Dowd in The Handmaid’s Tale, bridges the gap between the two shows and offers a familiar face to lean on. She returns as a central figure in The Testaments. However, her role evolves significantly, offering a more complex portrait of a character who has long been oppressed under Gilead’s authority. (via The New York Times)
The timeline shift also allows the series to explore a new perspective on women who have never experienced a world free of totalitarian rule.
Another key connection is in the thematic continuity. Both series offer a dystopian glimpse into a world where control over women’s bodies, religious extremism, and authoritarian governance are normal. However, The Testaments, however, is set to include themes of resistance and rebellion, signaling an evolution from endurance to defiance.
When Is The Testaments Releasing?
Still from The Testaments | Credits: Hulu
The Testaments was officially greenlit by Hulu, with an April 8, 2026, release date confirmed. The sequel series will premiere with the first three episodes, luring viewers in with a deeply uncomfortable, eerie story.
The Testaments has been confirmed to have 10 episodes in the first season, with weekly releases. The release time may vary by region; see below.
Time ZonePremiere TimePacific Time (PT, USA)12:00 AM – April 8Mountain Time (MT, USA)1:00 AM – April 8Central Time (CT, USA)2:00 AM – April 8Alaskan Time (AKT / AKST)11:00 PM – April 7Hawaiian Time (HST)9:00 PM – April 7Eastern Time (ET, USA)3:00 AM – April 8British Time (UK – BST)8:00 AM – April 8Central European Time (CET/CEST)9:00 AM – April 8India Standard Time (IST)12:30 PM – April 8Singapore Time (SGT)3:00 PM – April 8Philippines Time (PHT)3:00 PM – April 8Japan Standard Time (JST)4:00 PM – April 8China Standard Time (CST)3:00 PM – April 8Australian Western Time (AWST)3:00 PM – April 8Australian Central Time (ACST)4:30 PM – April 8Australian Eastern Time (AEST)5:00 PM – April 8New Zealand Time (NZST)7:00 PM – April 8Brazil Time (BRT)4:00 AM – April 8Argentina Time (ART)5:00 AM – April 8Mexico City Time (CST)2:00 AM – April 8
For fans of The Handmaid’s Tale, the sequel show offers not just a regular continuation of the story but a chance to see how things might finally change for the better.
Stream The Testaments on Hulu on April 8, 2026.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
