The Handmaid's Tale was one of the highest-profile new series of 2017, and it was clear from the previews alone that it would be unlike anything else on television. Starring the wonderful Elisabeth Moss, Handmaid's Tale is based on a 1985 novel by Margaret Atwood of the same name, and it paints a picture of a dystopian future that is as compelling as it is disturbing. The Hulu show did quite well for itself at the 2017 Emmys, and we have some brand new reasons why you should really give The Handmaid's Tale a try.
The series received an incredible 13 nominations at the 2017 Emmys, including Elisabeth Moss in the running for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama, Samira Wiley and Ann Dowd both in the running for Outstanding Supporting Actress, Alexis Bledel up for Outstanding Guest Actress, the show itself for Outstanding Drama Series, a writer, and directors for two episodes. The nominations alone were enough to boost Hulu's profile as a place to be for original television, and rightfully so.
Even better, the show scored some significant wins. The Handmaid's Tale officially won for Best Drama in the very last award of the night. The entire evening had built to the Best Drama award, and Handmaid's Tale definitely deserved it. Elisabeth Moss won for Outstanding Lead Actress in the second-to-last category of the entire Emmys, and it was worth waiting the three hours to see her receive her well-deserved trophy. Additionally, Alexis Bledel took home the trophy for Guest Actress and Ann Dowd accepted the Emmy for Supporting Actress with a tearful speech. It was a big night for The Handmaid's Tale, and we can bet that it will be the show everybody is talking about when all things Emmy are said and done.
Of course, the subject matter for The Handmaid's Tale is pretty heavy. The show is set in a world in which the rate of childbirth is dangerously low, with a small percentage of women capable of bearing healthy children. An oppressively conservative regime takes hold in the United States after a civil war, and the women who have proven their fertility by having children of their own are forced into become handmaids, who are forced to submit to rape with the goal of producing more children. There's subjugation, violence, sexual assault, and a whole lot of darkness to go around.
That said, Elisabeth Moss shines as a handmaid who finds ways to resist the subjugation. There's hope underneath all of the oppression due to the strength of the characters, and episodes aren't just hours of misery from start to finish. Suffice it to say that few could argue that Handmaid's Tale didn't deserve all the Emmy nominations and wins it scored in 2017.
All 10 installments are currently available streaming on Hulu, and the show has been renewed for a Season 2 with certain cast members already signed on for the next batch of episodes. The time is now to catch up on The Handmaid's Tale and see what all the buzz is about, if you haven't already. If you're still not sure if Hulu is worth an investment, take a listen to our Hulu-centric episode of The Cord-Cutter Podcast. For all the other winners at the 2017 Emmys, check out our list as we update live. Our fall TV premiere schedule can help you plan your viewing in the coming weeks as well.
