‘The Testaments’ Hulu Sequel Series Begins Filming with New Cast and Aunt Lydia’s Return

The Testaments Hulu series is officially underway. As a powerful sequel to the critically acclaimed The Handmaid’s Tale, Hulu’s upcoming drama returns audiences to the haunting world of Gilead—this time, through the eyes of a new generation. Production kicks off on April 7, 2025, setting the stage for a bold expansion of the dystopian saga that redefined streaming television.

Helmed by original creator Bruce Miller and produced by MGM Television, The Testaments is expected to honor the legacy of its predecessor while charting unexplored territory across Gilead’s broken, brutal landscape.

Aunt Lydia The Testaments Role: Ann Dowd Returns

Ann Dowd’s Emmy-winning performance as Aunt Lydia was a cornerstone of The Handmaid’s Tale, and she’s now stepping into an even more central role in The Testaments Hulu series. With years having passed since the events of the original show, Lydia’s story takes on new meaning—caught between her authoritarian roots and the cracks forming in Gilead’s regime.

Her return promises not just familiarity, but emotional complexity and political tension. While Elisabeth Moss will not return as June Osborne on-screen, she joins the production team as an executive producer, ensuring thematic consistency.

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The Testaments Cast: Meet the New Faces of Gilead

The Handmaid’s Tale sequel series introduces a dynamic new lineup of characters—young women, rising Aunts, and potential rebels—each woven into Gilead’s future. The Testaments cast includes:

Chase Infiniti as Agnes
Lucy Halliday as Daisy
Mattea Conforti as Becka
Mabel Li as Aunt Vidala
Amy Seimetz as Paula
Brad Alexander as Garth
Zarrin Darnell-Martin as Aunt Gabbana
Eva Foote as Aunt Este
Isolde Ardies as Hulda
Shechinah Mpumlwana as Jehosheba
Birva Pandya as Miriam
Kira Guloien as Rosa
Rowan Blanchard as Shunammite

These characters span every echelon of Gilead’s rigid hierarchy, offering an intricate tapestry of life within the regime. With youth and rebellion at the forefront, the series dives deeper into indoctrination, control, and the quiet seeds of defiance.

Storyline Spotlight: Resistance From Within

Unlike The Handmaid’s Tale, which followed June’s fiery resistance, The Testaments Hulu series takes a more introspective route. The story follows Agnes, Daisy, and Becka—three young women raised under Gilead’s oppressive doctrines.

As their lives intersect with Aunt Lydia The Testaments narrative, they each confront the trauma and indoctrination that shaped their identities. From forced marriages to subversive alliances, their journeys reveal the potential for revolution not from the outside—but from within the system itself.

It’s a chilling, yet empowering arc that places personal reckoning at the heart of rebellion.

Behind the Scenes: Familiar Visionaries, New World

Bruce Miller returns as showrunner, maintaining the narrative DNA that made The Handmaid’s Tale a genre-defining series. Alongside Miller and Moss, the executive producer roster includes Warren Littlefield, Daniel Wilson, and Nina Fiore.

The production aims to amplify the scale, introducing new regions of Gilead and adopting a cinematic tone while retaining the intimate character studies that fueled the original’s success.

The visual language—moody, controlled, and symbolic—will continue to be a signature element of the sequel series.

Legacy of The Handmaid’s Tale: Expectations Run High

With multiple Emmys under its belt, including a historic win for Outstanding Drama Series, The Handmaid’s Tale set a gold standard for streaming drama. Its cultural impact, particularly around issues of bodily autonomy and authoritarianism, made it a lightning rod for social commentary.

Now, The Testaments Hulu carries that torch forward, tasked with not only living up to a prestigious legacy but also speaking to a new generation of viewers. The return of Ann Dowd, combined with a compelling cast and expanded narrative, positions the show as a worthy successor.

When to Expect The Testaments Hulu Release?

While no official premiere date has been confirmed, insiders suggest a late 2025 or early 2026 debut. As production progresses, fans can expect early teasers, behind-the-scenes peeks, and possibly a trailer following major TV event coverage later in the year.

The focus on younger characters may also broaden the show’s demographic, drawing in fresh viewers while retaining long-time fans of The Handmaid’s Tale.

Conclusion: Gilead’s New Era Has Begun

The Testaments Hulu sequel is not just a continuation—it’s a transformation. With Aunt Lydia The Testaments story at its core and a dynamic new cast stepping into the light, the series promises to explore power, identity, and resistance in deeper and more nuanced ways.

As Hulu doubles down on dystopian prestige drama, all eyes are once again on Gilead—this time, with hope rising from unexpected places.