When The Handmaid’s Tale wrapped its six-season run on Hulu, few characters embodied quiet resilience more powerfully than Rita, played by Canadian actress Amanda Brugel.
What began as a one-day guest role evolved into a central figure in the Emmy-winning series—and for Brugel, a personal full-circle moment decades in the making.
A Role Decades in the Making
In 1996, Amanda Brugel wrote a college thesis on The Handmaid’s Tale, focusing specifically on Rita, a minor yet enigmatic character in Margaret Atwood’s 1985 novel.
At just 14, Brugel had fallen in love with the book while studying Canadian literature and eventually used that passion to secure a scholarship to York University.
“She was mysterious and strong,” Brugel recalled of the book’s portrayal of Rita. **”In the book, she’s very mean, and my theory is that there’s more to it.”
Twenty years later, that scholarly fascination transformed into reality when Brugel was cast in Hulu’s adaptation.
Canadian casting director Robin Cook, aware of Amanda Brugel’s attachment to the character, brought her in to audition—though initially warning her the role would likely go to an American. But after meeting with showrunner Bruce Miller and director Reed Morano, Brugel landed the role.
From One-Day Guest to Series Fixture
Amanda Brugel’s first audition scene—the infamous tuna and oranges exchange—showcased Rita’s biting sarcasm.
That early glimpse evolved as the series did. Initially contracted for a single day, Amanda Brugel appeared in every episode of the first season and was upgraded to series regular status in season two.
“I felt like I was a regular from day one,” she said. Her presence in the Waterford household quickly became integral to the dynamic.
Rita’s Quiet Power
Brugel approached the role with a rich backstory of her own making. She imagined Rita as a former executive whose only son, Nicholas, had joined Gilead’s regime and died. That personal loss, Brugel believes, explains Rita’s transformation from stoic and sarcastic to deeply introspective.
“She was savvy,” Brugel said. “She tried to get herself to a place where she was unbothered for the most part.”
Although the show never explored Rita’s full past on screen, Amanda Brugel infused her performance with these details. She also speculated that Rita was originally a handmaid who managed to switch roles by convincing authorities of her infertility—a quiet act of resistance.
A Canadian Connection with Atwood
Brugel is the only Canadian in the main cast and formed a bond with author Margaret Atwood, who became a staunch supporter. “She’s intimidating and honest and extraordinarily smart,” Brugel said. “She doesn’t suffer fools.” Their rapport grew over awards seasons and culminated in Atwood dedicating a section of The Testaments to Brugel and other cast members.
“It’s the biggest honor of my life,” Brugel said, revealing she framed the dedication and keeps it in her washroom.
Heroic Moments and Personal Triumphs
Rita’s most visible act of rebellion came in season three, when she smuggled a plane full of children out of Gilead. The sequence was filmed in a quiet Ontario forest with 250 background actors. “I pull on that moment now for other roles when I want to feel powerful or scared,” Brugel said.
The finale gave Rita even more prominence. Alongside Luke (O-T Fagbenle), she played a crucial role in a Mayday operation that delivered a major blow to Gilead. “I felt that she was finally going to be seen,” Brugel said of Rita’s arc. “It’s the best end for her.”
A Future in ‘The Testaments’?
While Rita is not mentioned in The Testaments, Hulu’s upcoming sequel series, Brugel teased the possibility of a return. “If the opportunity came, I would love to,” she said. “The story would have to be there, but I’d never say no.”
She’s imagined Rita continuing the fight in secret, operating as a quiet intelligence agent. In Brugel’s version of the character’s endgame, Rita’s nephew discovers her covert legacy after her death. “She will do that until the day she dies,” Brugel said.
Behind the Scenes and Lasting Bonds
The final season was rich with reflection. Brugel described her wrap day, which coincided with a dream sequence featuring many returning cast members including Alexis Bledel and Nina Kiri. “It was a dream sequence, but the day was a dream,” she said.
Saying goodbye to the ensemble was difficult. “I was devastated when Nina and Bahia [Watson] departed,” she admitted. **”There is a genuine history between all of us.”
Throughout her tenure, Brugel collected mementos from set, including costumes and props. Her most cherished takeaway, however, is the emotional resonance the role had for viewers.
“People cry and want to tell me very personal things,” she said. “It’s why we tell stories.”
