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Under her eye: The blessings of Ann Dowd as Aunt Lydia in ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’

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This article contains spoilers for Season 6, Episode 8, of “The Handmaid’s Tale.”

As Margaret Atwood started pondering over writing a follow-up to her famous novel “The Handmaid’s Tale“, she provided Bruce Miller, the showrunner of the Hulu adaptation, with a brief list of characters to keep alive.

At the head of the list stood Aunt Lydia, the relentless devotee overseeing the handmaids, brilliantly portrayed by Ann Dowd.

In this part of Season 2, there were valid concerns since Emily (Alexis Bledel) had severely injured Aunt Lydia by stabbing her and shoving her down the stairs. It was uncertain whether she would recover from these actions, as Miller explained.

Aunt Lydia managed to endure the assault, given her significant role in the story; it would have been unfitting to eliminate her at that juncture. However, Miller admitted that he hadn’t yet decided on the character’s long-term trajectory or “exactly where I planned for her to end up.

In 2019 with the release of “The Testaments”, it was evident that Aunt Lydia underwent a significant transformation rather than merely landing on her feet; she became instrumental in the series of events that ultimately bring about the fall of Gilead in the novel.

It’s quite rare for a popular television series adaptation to receive new, original content, especially when it comes from a renowned author like Margaret Atwood, halfway through its run. “The Testaments” doesn’t just extend the narrative of Gilead and its citizens; it provides substantial background information, particularly about Aunt Lydia, who is portrayed as a significantly different character than the one audiences have loved to both love and hate throughout six seasons.

As a passionate cinephile, I’d say it felt like Shakespeare himself was resurrected and penned a sequel to ‘Hamlet’, perhaps entitled ‘Hamlet II’. However, he didn’t alter Aunt Lydia’s core character. She remained steadfast in her belief in the principles of Gilead, even when Gilead fell short of those very ideals. It wasn’t that she abandoned Gilead; instead, it seemed as though Gilead had forsaken her.

As a film enthusiast, I’d rephrase that as follows: The rest of the series saw me unwillingly yet persistently uncovering truths about myself.

After spending many years trying, both openly and secretly, within a system that Aunt Lydia has come to accept as flawed, by the last season she is barely recognizable from her former vibrant self. The burden of justifying herself (not forgetting living in Gilead) has made her shrunken, lame, and emotionally drained – until Episode 8, which aired on Tuesday, when she eventually accepts the truth and surrenders.

In this dramatic turn of events, Aunt Lydia finds herself confronting June (Elisabeth Moss) and Moira (Samira Wiley), long-standing adversaries from her series. As they strategize for a daring nighttime assault against their oppressors – the commanders who have wronged them – Aunt Lydia is forced to acknowledge the grim truth of her part in Gilead’s regime. She watches them carry out their vengeful mission, only to succumb and collapse to the ground, overwhelmed by the weight of her past actions.

Voices

Commentary: From ‘The Last of Us’ to ‘Handmaid’s Tale,’ women are angry and vengeful. Good

In several modern TV series, instead of just being passive targets of danger, women are actively combating these threats. They frequently take on aggressive roles to retaliate.

Dowd stated that June and Aunt Lydia are now inextricably linked. June remains composed, saying something like, “Here’s the truth, and you were aware of the situation all along.” The barrier between them collapses, and [Lydia] is gazing at Janine [Madeline Brewer], praying fervently, “Oh God, forgive me, forgive me.

This significant and daring change, for both the character and the narrative, might leave viewers skeptical if they don’t find this scene convincing. However, as is often the case, the writing and acting excel, particularly from Dowd, who manages to make the dramatic transformation seem genuine and deserved.

Miller praised Ann Dowd by saying, “She does an incredible job, consistently portraying the same character at heart despite all the changes. It’s as if she gently guides the audience, making them oblivious to the fact that some twists and turns in the story are quite unexpected and drastic.

In a new development, Miller is reworking “The Testaments,” a project currently underway in Canada. Notably, Aunt Lydia is the sole character apart from June who carries over her role from “The Handmaid’s Tale.

Her journey, in both the novels and onscreen, is a unique one.

In Atwood’s debut novel, Aunt Lydia is primarily depicted from June’s perspective and frequently serves as the provider of aphorisms. The phrase “Aunt Lydia says” functions as a recurring motif, serving both to elucidate the principles of Gilead and emphasize the striking irony of a religious devotion that takes form in sexual slavery. Unlike other aunts who are portrayed as wielding cattle prods and engaging in violent acts, Aunt Lydia is more characterized by her words rather than actions.

In the show, she isn’t just portrayed as an eloquent zealot, but also as a physically intimidating woman who frequently threatens and beats those under her care. Early in the series, she disciplines a talkative character named Janine by taking out her eye. Later on, Emily attempts to kill her character after Aunt Lydia compels her to undergo female genital mutilation for being a sexual deviant – a lesbian.

Dowd noted that at first she appears as a formidable structure, both robust and towering. She exudes certainty and moral superiority, convinced she’s on the right path. She’s aware of her actions, even if they might cause distress to her daughters, she feels it’s necessary for them to transform. Her mission is to aid them, and she chooses to do so by employing firm and occasionally uncomfortable methods.

The 69-year-old actress is a gentle, affectionate woman, often referring to those around her as “dear” or “darling,” who appears strikingly different from Lydia in terms of demeanor, even though they share the same gender.

In response to the question, “Did you take a long time to reach such a bleak state in your character?”, Dowd replied, “On the contrary, I eagerly rush towards it. That’s because the role is exceptionally well-written and captivating.

As an actor, Dowd enjoyed embodying Aunt Lydia’s rigid, black-and-white mindset during the early stages of filming. On set, she often moved among the handmaid extras, banging her cattle prod on desks and issuing commands. “We didn’t keep that,” she remarked, “but I found it fascinating to explore what Aunt Lydia might do in different situations. ‘Focus ahead, my dears,’ she would say, ‘we are not here for leisurely discussions like we’re in a classroom.’”

“Of course,” she added, “we had the luxury of leaving it all behind on set.”

For Miller, Aunt Lydia seemed more vibrant to him once he witnessed Dowd portray her. “Television writing is like a self-reinforcing cycle,” he explained. “You write minimal content; Ann brings so much to it, and the director adds even more that it transforms beyond your initial expectations.” He continued, “My Aunt Lydia on paper may seem intimidating but not as frightening as Ann’s portrayal. That feedback is crucial for me to continuously refine the character.

As Lydia started to harbor uncertainties, the part she played grew increasingly complex. Yet, he found it peculiar that she wouldn’t evolve. Fortunately for him, he adored her deeply. He never grew tired of her, instead, he admired her journey all along, Dowd expressed.

As Dowd stated, she doesn’t regularly watch the program and has caught only a handful of episodes during premiere gatherings.

She stated, “I choose not to watch it as I’ve already experienced it. I’ve developed a tendency to criticize myself excessively, which I find dull. Instead, I prefer to wait and genuinely appreciate the show when the time is right. Critiquing myself, ‘What were you thinking?’ disrupts my immersion in the story.

Books

Margaret Atwood, who penned “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “The Testaments,” expresses that speculative fiction authors often explore both the current times and the past.

Besides her, even Moss himself isn’t completely sure about the ending of the series, as he was the one who directed the finale. Dowd stated, “They kept it under wraps.” She admitted, “I know my part, but I have questions too. I might revisit Episode 10; I’m eager to find out how everything concludes.

According to Dowd, Lydia’s changeover is significantly linked to her alteration of Janine. “Starting from there, she takes on responsibility for her, which blossoms into a profound love,” she explained. “But what does love accomplish? It breaks down barriers.

In the production process for “The Testaments,” it was revealed that she had only gone through three of the scripts, as Aunt Lydia does not feature prominently in all of them. Instead, the narrative seems to be centered around the younger characters.

In Episode 8, Aunt Lydia undergoes a significant and enduring transformation, according to Dowd. She strongly holds onto her faith in God, as Dowd explains, “Her belief in God continues to hold great importance.” “In the absence of women,” she continued, “who will produce God’s offspring? Who will fill the world so His divine presence can be amplified? Only these girls. Aunt Lydia believes that a woman’s role is to nurture these children. However, being raped by these commanders is unacceptable to her.

Dowd was delighted and taken aback by the part Aunt Lydia takes in Atwood’s sequel, which is presented as a collection of historical records, similar to “Handmaid’s.” Despite having met Atwood multiple times, Dowd wasn’t privy to her thoughts. “Our relationship is certainly friendly,” Dowd stated. “From the very beginning, you acknowledge that she’s incredibly intelligent and there’s no chance of keeping up with her. She’s delightful, amusing, and I really enjoyed our interactions.

In the audiobook version of “The Testaments”, Dowd narrated Aunt Lydia’s segments, explaining that this gave her a deeper appreciation for the character. According to Dowd, Aunt Lydia is quick to learn what needs to be done and she aspires to be not just any aunt, but the one in control. She refuses to play second fiddle.

At the conclusion of “The Handmaid’s Tale,” Dowd and Miller find themselves caught in a mix of sadness and anticipation. Although they plan to carry on their collaboration with Moss and certain team members, they can’t help but feel nostalgic for the cast of “The Handmaid’s Tale.

Dowd expressed, “Being part of an ensemble was such a significant aspect for me.” He cherished this experience. Bruce Miller’s primary rule was fostering harmony among the group. Lizzie Moss, the heart of everything, the lead actress and director – she’s extraordinary, destined for these roles, passionate about her work, and full of life, always energetic.

Apart from that, she too longs for Brewer, a partner in numerous significant moments, whose skill at portraying roles using just one eye leaves her in awe.

Dowd referred to her dear friend as ‘sweet’, expressing their close bond filled with warmth and friendship. He marveled at the way she managed to maintain a harmonious equilibrium.

For Miller, “The Testaments” presents two clear hurdles: meeting the high standards set by “The Handmaid’s Tale” and seamlessly linking the narrative continuity between the two books.

Miller explained, ‘There will be inconsistencies, and that’s just how it goes.’ At first, it was quite difficult, but I decided to ‘make adjustments to the book.’ [Atwood] seemed pleased with my work on the show, and I believe this contributed to her eagerness to write additional material about it.

He stated, “Currently, my aim is to craft ‘The Testaments’ as captivating, amusing, and intriguing, even in its dark and absurd nature. I have a deep affection for this world, collaborating with Margaret, Lizzie, and the group of young women. If given the opportunity, I would gladly dedicate another decade to penning lines for them.

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2025-05-13 19:31

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