The Testaments: New show is set 15 years after The Handmaid's Tale
The Testaments: Lucy Halliday and Chase Infiniti.
When the dystopian series ended last year, it left a number of unanswered questions and fertile ground for a follow-up. Based on Margaret Atwood’s 1985 novel of the same name, the show ran for six seasons and depicted a version of the United States called Gilead, where a plunging birth rate led to women being treated as state-owned reproductive vessels, forced to help repopulate society.
The series followed June Osborne, played by Elisabeth Moss, a thirtysomething woman who gradually rebelled against her bleak life as a handmaid for the ruling class after being torn away from her husband, Luke, played by O-T Fagbenle, and their daughter, Hannah.
Now, less than a year after ended, sequel series picks up 15 years later and follows the life of Hannah, known as Agnes, as she grows up in Gilead.
The coming-of-age drama tells the story of teenage Agnes, played by Chase Infiniti, and Daisy, portrayed by Lucy Halliday, a new arrival and convert from beyond Gilead’s borders.
As they navigate the gilded halls of Aunt Lydia’s elite preparatory school for future wives, run by Aunt Lydia, played by original series star Ann Dowd, obedience is instilled brutally and always with divine justification. Their bond becomes the catalyst that will upend their past, present and future.
Infiniti, 25, who starred in says she was initially unaware of the series’ connection to when she auditioned for the role.
“The first time I read the scripts, it was kind of hidden that it was sequel. Agnes’s name was Andrea, and Daisy’s name was Danielle,” explains the American actress.
“I kind of had an idea of what it was. But then, as I got further into the auditions and found out that it was Hannah, or Agnes, I was just in awe from that first read, of how much love she has for her friends and her life, and also how much joy she has.
“And I think that, regardless of anything, that was the thing that really captured me in the first read, and it stayed with me throughout all of the episodes.”
Speaking about her character she says: “Agnes has grown up in the perfect Gilead household and has had the ultimate princess life. Everything is working out according to plan. Her whole life is laid out for her. She’s comfortable and knows how to navigate her world. Her education at Aunt Lydia’s Academy is very limited, embroidering, gardening, and entertaining. No cooking or home maintenance. That’s the work of Marthas. She is learning to be a good, obedient Gileadian wife.
“None of the girls are taught reading, mathematics or science. Agnes is missing out on the ability to form her own opinions through exposure to other people’s stories. Her only opinions are the ones she’s had forced on her.”
Speaking about her recent roles, Willa, an ex-revolutionary’s daughter in and now Agnes in Infiniti says: “Honestly, it feels like the best gift. One of the great things is that I believe the things meant for me will find me, and I feel grateful that Willa is one of those things. Willa is someone I got to meet, and Agnes is another. I really admire the strength both of them have, especially at such a young age.
“I feel so grateful that I can bring them to life in that way, to be a face for these stories and show people who either look like me or can relate to me that you can have strength, beautiful friendships, and know that, regardless of anything, you are your own person. I feel very fortunate to play both of them. I hope people love Agnes, but I hope they love Willa too. It’s truly been the best gift.”
Dowd, 70, who returns to her role as Aunt Lydia, says it’s been a privilege to explore her new gentler life in
“At the end of she’s brought straight to her knees in deep remorse," says Dowd. "That period of questioning; ‘What am I going to do with my life? What am I going to focus on?’, leads her to choose the academy for young girls: daughters of Commanders and Pearl Girls.
“It’s a whole new life, revealing a gentler side of Lydia after leaving behind the weight of Gilead. I think it’s a fresh start for her, and it’s quite wonderful to experience.”
Halliday, 21, says she had to balance both sides of Daisy — her life before in Toronto and her introduction to Gilead. “Because I got to experience Daisy in Toronto, it felt very natural to then see her reactions in Gilead,” says the Scottish actress.
“Her reactions in Gilead mirror the same reactions an audience member would have, the same reaction an outsider would have looking into Gilead. In a way, it’s just how any person would view these daily events or interact with these people.
“Those were the thoughts Daisy was having and articulating, and it was definitely a challenge to balance that. You didn’t want to lose the Daisy we saw in Toronto, but of course, she’s also having to assimilate into the harsh, controlled environment of Gilead. The goal was to include pieces of Daisy within her new role there. It was always interesting to maintain that balance, and it was a lot of fun.”
- will be available to stream on Disney+ from Wednesday, April 8
