Release Date, Platform, and Production Details
Hulu renewed The Handmaid's Tale for a second season before the first season premiered. The series is based on the 1985 novel by Margaret Atwood and produced by Daniel Wilson and Warren Littlefield. Part 2 of the first season premiered on Hulu on April 25, 2017, with all episodes released at once. Production took place primarily in Toronto and Hamilton, Ontario, with additional filming in Cambridge, Ontario. The season was executive produced by Bruce Miller and adapted for television by Bruce Miller. Hulu is the primary streaming platform for the series in the United States, and the service is owned by The Walt Disney Company. For background on Hulu's corporate structure, see this overview from Forbes.
The second season was ordered in April 2017, shortly after the first season's premiere. Season 2 premiered on April 25, 2018, with the same all-at-once release model. The season consisted of 13 episodes, matching the episode count of season 1. Bruce Miller continued as showrunner and head writer. Production remained in Ontario, Canada, with filming locations including historic estates and urban sets designed to depict the fictional Republic of Gilead. The series is classified as dystopian drama and is rated TV-MA for mature content.
Main Cast and Character Details
Elisabeth Moss stars as June Osborne, the central character who is renamed Offred in the Republic of Gilead. Yvonne Strahovski portrays Serena Joy Waterford, the wife of Commander Fred Waterford. Joseph Fiennes plays Commander Fred Waterford, a high-ranking official in the Gilead regime. Alexis Bledel appears as Emily Malek, also known as Ofglen, a fellow handmaid. The cast also includes O. T. Fagbenle as Luke Bankole, June's husband, and Max Minghella as Nick Blaine, a driver and spy. The Handmaid's Tale cast list is maintained by Hulu and confirmed by the Screen Actors Guild.
Ann Dowd plays Aunt Lydia, a leader in the Aunt training program for handmaids. Samira Wiley portrays Moira Strand, June's friend who escapes the Red Center. Madeline Brewer plays Janine Lindo, a handmaid who experiences trauma and instability. The supporting cast includes recurring roles for commanders, wives, and Marthas, the domestic workers in Gilead households. Character arcs in Part 2 focus on resistance, survival, and the internal politics of Gilead's ruling class.
Plot Summary and Themes
Part 2 of the first season continues June's story after her escape from the Waterford household. The plot follows June as she navigates the dangerous streets of Gilead and attempts to reunite with her daughter Hannah. Serena Joy grapples with her role in the regime and her personal losses. Commander Waterford faces political pressure from the Eyes and other Gilead authorities. The narrative expands the world of Gilead by showing the operations of the Red Center, the Colonies, and the Commanders' inner circle. The season explores themes of totalitarian control, religious extremism, gender-based oppression, and resistance.
The story introduces new factions and power struggles within Gilead, including tensions between different commanders and the rise of external threats. June's journey involves alliances with other handmaids, Marthas, and defectors within the regime. The season ends with a cliffhanger that sets up future conflicts and escalations. The Handmaid's Tale is based on Margaret Atwood's 1985 novel, and Atwood served as a consulting producer. The series has received critical acclaim and multiple awards, including Primetime Emmy Awards. For more on the original novel, see the publisher's page on Penguin Random House.