The Testaments: Everything We Know About The Handmaid's Tale Spin-Off

The Testaments Release Date, Story, and Cast – Full Breakdown

Gilead isn’t done with us yet.

After six haunting, gripping seasons of The Handmaid’s Tale, the series wrapped its final episode—leaving a swirl of questions, emotions, and a noticeable lack of closure for June and her daughter, Hannah. But that cliffhanger wasn’t an oversight. It was a setup. The story continues in The Testaments, Hulu’s highly anticipated spin-off, and we’re finally starting to get a clearer picture of what’s next.

Based on Margaret Atwood’s award-winning sequel novel, The Testaments is set to push the dystopian boundaries even further—and from entirely new perspectives.

📆 Release Date: When Can We Expect It?

Let’s rip off the Band-Aid: we don’t have an official release date just yet. But here’s what we do know—The Testaments is already deep into production. That’s a good sign. Given Hulu’s past release patterns and The Handmaid’s Tale’s typical spring premieres, we’re placing bets on a 2026 spring or summer release, possibly around April if they want to stick to tradition.

It won’t be another agonizing two-year wait (hopefully), but yes, we’ll need a little patience before returning to Gilead.

📖 The Story: 15 Years Later, Same Nightmare

Set a full 15 years after the events of The Handmaid’s Tale, The Testaments brings us back into the dark world of Gilead—but through entirely new lenses.

We now follow Hannah, known as Agnes in this story, and Nicole, aka Daisy. Raised within Gilead’s rigid system, Hannah has little memory of the time before. She’s been indoctrinated by the regime and lives with an adoptive family, but that foundation crumbles fast.

Here’s the short version:

• Agnes’ adoptive mother dies, and her new stepmother, Paula, drives her out.
• Agnes is set to marry Commander Jud—a powerful, dangerous man who has a habit of killing his young wives.
• Upon learning she’s June’s daughter, Agnes refuses the marriage and becomes an aunt in training.
• Nicole, meanwhile, is working with Mayday, smuggling women out of Gilead.
• After her adoptive parents are killed, Nicole infiltrates Gilead disguised as a Pearl Girl, ultimately placed under Agnes’ and Becca’s care.

But the real kicker? Aunt Lydia.

Turns out, Lydia’s loyalty to Gilead is just a mask. She’s working to take it down from the inside, passing crucial information to Nicole embedded in a tattoo microdot (yes, it’s as wild as it sounds). With a mission to escape and expose Gilead’s crimes, this trio is set to spark a potential revolution.

👥 Who's In the Cast?

Let’s talk talent. The biggest name returning is Ann Dowd as Aunt Lydia. That haunting misty walk-off at the end of The Handmaid’s Tale finale? Now we know why. She’s back, and she’s pivotal to the downfall of Gilead.

We’re still unsure if Elisabeth Moss will return as June Osborne, though she’s confirmed as an executive producer behind the scenes. Given the time jump and the subtle way the novel refers to June’s legacy rather than her presence, she may not appear—or her role could be saved for a dramatic cameo.

Here’s the confirmed cast so far:

• Chase Infinity as Agnes (Hannah)
• Lucy Holiday as Daisy (Nicole)
• Matte and Forty as Becca
• Amy Seimetz as Paula
• Mabel Lee as Aunt Vidala
• Ava Foot as Aunt Estie
• Brad Alexander as G
• Zarin Donnell-Martin as Aunt Gabbana
• Isoli Adis, Halda, Berva Panga, and Kira Golian round out the supporting cast.

Casting for Commander Jud is still under wraps—but considering his importance, we’re hoping for someone who can bring that chilling menace to life.

💬 What Makes The Testaments So Promising?

The Testaments isn’t just more Handmaid’s Tale. It’s a reimagining—told through the eyes of the next generation. It explores what happens when people are raised under tyranny, never knowing freedom, and how those same people can become the seeds of rebellion.

We’re finally going to see Gilead’s future. Not just as a place of horror—but as a crumbling regime facing its reckoning. With Ann Dowd leading the charge, fresh young leads, and Margaret Atwood’s acclaimed source material, the spin-off looks poised to be just as impactful—if not more.

For fans aching for answers after The Handmaid’s Tale finale, The Testaments might just bring the closure (and chaos) we’ve been waiting for.

Cross the border with us again soon—there’s a revolution coming.

Stay tuned for the rise and fall of Gilead with Land of Geek Magazine!

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