Spoilers ahead for The Handmaid’s Tale and its sequel novel The Testaments.
A number of highly anticipated TV projects were delayed as a result of the pandemic. Hulu’s massively popular drama The Handmaid’s Tale was no exception, but Season 4 has finally arrived for all of our anxiety-inducing pleasure. Many fans are wondering if the show will eventually adapt the sequel novel The Testaments, and the showrunner’s recent comments may mean big things for Ann Dowd’s Aunt Lydia.
Author Magaret Atwood released The Testaments in 2019, which served as the first literary sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale. Aunt Lydia is one of three narrators, and gets a redemption of sorts. Showrunner Bruce Miller was asked about the sequel in a recent press event attended by CinemaBlend, saying:
I certainly am fascinated by what happens in The Testaments, and that's going to be part of our future. That's a bigger question.
How delightfully cryptic. It looks like Bruce Miller and company are interested in possibly adapting aspects of The Testaments in future installments of The Handmaid’s Tale. While being careful not to give further details, this information is sure to start countless fan theories about what’s to come.
Bruce Miller’s comments come from a recent press event for The Handmaid’s Tale Season 4, attended by CinemaBlend’s own Nick Venable. Those who have read the follow-up novel will likely be viewing Aunt Lydia differently in the new season. But it remains to be seen if/when her story from the page will make its way to the screen.
Aunt Lydia has always been one of the most fascinating The Handmaid’s Tale, particularly thanks to the outstanding performance given by actress Ann Dowd. Season 4 has already been an interesting arc for Lydia, who is both vindictive and caring of June. We’ll just have to see if she continues developing into the character that readers met in The Testaments.
As one of the narrators of The Handmaid’s Tale sequel, readers finally get a deeper dive into Lydia’s psyche and daily life. She breaks various rules throughout the course of the book, and even goes against Gilead in a major act of defiance. And since Bruce Miller does seem to be looking forward to The Testaments, it’ll be fascinating to see exactly which elements from the novel make their way to the Hulu series.
The first three episodes of The Handmaid’s Tale Season 4 have definitely been harrowing, as we’ve seen June wounded, free, in power, and captured. It’s clear that her actions in last season’s finale have had global repercussions, and the fandom is currently mourning the loss of long-running characters. As for Aunt Lydia, she just keeps kicking… sometimes literally.
The Handmaid’s Tale airs new episodes Wednesdays on Hulu. Be sure to check out the 2021 midseason premiere list to plan your next binge watch.
