'The Handmaid's Tale' Spinoff: 'The Testaments'

The Testaments is NOT a sequel to The Handmaid's Tale. It is a spinoff. So, what's the diference?:

• A sequel continues the story of the original work, often featuring the same characters and setting.
• A spin-off centers on a secondary character or concept from the original, creating a new narrative.

More About Sequels and Spinoffs

Sequels typically develop existing characters further, while spin-offs may introduce new characters or explore different perspectives.

Sequels maintain continuity with the original plot, whereas spin-offs can diverge significantly in tone and storyline.

Audiences expect sequels to follow the original's themes, while spin-offs may surprise with fresh ideas or genres.

A sequel will have the original title in its name, such as Toy Story 2 or Mission Impossible 2. A spinoff will have an entirely new title instead of The Handmaid's Tale 2, but The Testaments.

You may see The Testaments described as a sequel in some of your readings. Know that it is a spinoff based on the above information.

Now that a sequel and spinoff have been explained, here are some details about The Testaments.

‘The Testaments’ Spinoff

The Handmaid's Tale, based on the 2000 novel by Margaret Atwood, aired for six seasons on Hulu from April 26, 2017 to May 27, 2025. Fans of the original series can enjoy The Testaments, which follows a few of the same characters. A completely different story takes place 15 years later.

The Testaments premieres on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, with three episodes on Hulu. After that, one episode will air weekly.

The Testaments takes place after the events of The Handmaid’s Tale and tracks the lives of three women in Gilead and their struggles against the regime.

1. Aunt Lydia: The headmistress of an elite preparatory school
2. Agnes/Hannah: Teen daughter of June and Luke
3. Daisy: A new teen arrival in Gilead

All three characters are questioning their relationships with Gilead. Viewers already know Lydia and Agnes. Daisy is a young Canadian teen whose life is changed forever when she learns of her connection to the Republic of Gilead.

A Coming-of-Age Story

Ann Dowd as Aunt Lydia is the headmistress of an elite preparatory school for future wives. They are the daughters of Gilead’s most senior leadership. This dramatic coming-of-age story finds a new generation of young women in Gilead grappling with the bleak future that awaits them. For these young women, growing up in Gilead is all they have ever known, having no prior memories of the outside world. Facing the prospect of being married off and living a life of servitude, they will be forced to search for freedom and the life they deserve.

A Changed Aunt Lydia

Aunt Lydia knows all too well what Gilead is like. She believes she can reform the regime through educating the next generation. She no longer supports the men in power in the oppressive regime.

Lydia is the leader of a new social class called the Pearl Girls. These girls have chosen to be in Gilead, which is very important to this new Lydia. She is more about protecting them instead of punishing them.

The Pearl Girls are very precious to Lydia, and she is devoted to "her girls." Viewers will not be seeing what happened in The Handmaid's Tale. Instead, they will see what happens to the Pearl Girls in The Testaments.

The handmaids are still part of Gilead, but they are not the focus of The Testaments.

A Burning Question

Fans of The Handmaid's Tale might be wondering if June and Luke ever reconnected with Hannah, their daughter. Watch The Testaments to get the answer to what might be a burning question.