Handmaid’s Tale boss compares sequel series to Mean Girls

The Handmaid’s Tale creator Bruce Miller has compared the upcoming sequel series to Mean Girls.

According to Margaret Atwood’s 1985 novel, “The Handmaid’s Tale” is now in its sixth and final season in the US. In this season, June is leading a powerful rebellion against the repressive regime of Gilead. Although the original show is nearing its conclusion, a spin-off series titled “The Testaments” (based on Atwood’s 2019 novel) will soon take center stage.

15 years following the original tale, the story in The Testaments unfolds primarily through a collection of diary entries penned by Aunt Lydia, who has now turned rebellious. Simultaneously, Hannah (later known as Agnes) and Nichole (also called Daisy), daughters of June, contribute to the narrative via sections written in the style of “witness transcripts.

What to Read Next

In a chat with Entertainment Weekly, the creator Miller hinted at the upcoming events in the sequel series, which he referred to as an entirely new realm.

The Handmaid’s Tale revolves around a handmaid’s existence. This woman, snatched from her former life and relegated to the very depths in Gilead, was made to believe she had no value. She wasn’t seen as a woman but merely a vessel for reproduction. Yet, this character persists in asserting her humanity and resisting her circumstances.” (He elaborated)

[Testaments] revolves around a woman at the pinnacle of power in Gilead. This could be Hannah or Agnes, the daughter of a high-ranking commander who holds the highest status among women in this oppressive society. What we discover is that even when you’re on top of the hierarchy in a misogynistic regime, it doesn’t make life any easier; instead, it makes you more vulnerable.

The show will center around the younger females in Gilead, exploring their vitality, as well as those individuals who are given a sense of power, yet find it subsequently taken from them.

You’re at the peak, excelling in most areas, but there’s an exception – you submit to your husband. It’s incredibly intriguing, Miller commented.

As a gaming enthusiast, I can’t help but draw parallels between my life in the virtual world and the story unfolding in Gilead from Mean Girls. It feels like navigating through a game where youth and vitality meet oppressive forces, striving to be unique while being molded into something conformist. Suddenly, I’m told that I’m extraordinary, exceptional – almost too good to be true – only for them to expect me to perform actions that are far from admirable or ethical.

The originator clarified that the Testaments will highlight the capabilities of young females. He emphasized, “It’s not about adding another voice to discourage, saying ‘You can’t accomplish this task. You can’t engage in that activity.’ Instead, it’s all about encouragement and empowerment.

There’s no shaking off the essence of a 14-year-old girl, not even in the farthest realms of imagination. It’s just plain foolish, Gilead, to think you can manage teenage girls. What a brilliant plan!” (First person: “I can’t shake off the spirit of a 14-year-old girl, not even in the most distant universes. It’s just silly, Gilead, to believe that managing teenage girls is possible. What a fantastic idea!”)

Season 1-5 of The Handmaid’s Tale are available to stream now on Prime Video.

The Handmaid’s Tale season 6 will air on Prime Video and Channel 4 in the UK.

Read More

2025-04-13 22:19