Explore the world outside the state of Gilead.
Lots of news for Hulu’s hit dystopian drama The Handmaid’s Tale dropped over the weekend, including a brand new teaser trailer, first-look photos, some storyline details of the upcoming second season, and a premiere date.
The marketing for The Handmaid’s Tale has always been on point, and this new trailer is no exception. It captures the eerie unknown in Margaret Atwood‘s version of the United States so perfectly in just a minute of footage, showing the vast scope of the authoritarian state of Gilead. Everything from the utterly chilling cover of “For What It’s Worth” to the sweeping visuals of a mysterious land of pollution known as “the colonies” places an emphasis on terror. That comes in both those escaping Gilead — as is the case for Samira Wiley’s Moira — and being sent off out into the unknown of a place that was only mentioned in Atwood’s novel. “It’s a pretty forbidding world,” said executive producer Warren Littlefield of the colonies.
The cast and crew were obviously elusive during their slot on the Television Critics Association press tour on Sunday. However, they were quick to reassure fans that Season 2 of The Handmaid’s Tale would, in fact, build on Atwood’s novel, expanding the world within it: “We’re not exiting that world [of the novel] at all.” According to creator Bruce Miller, Season 1 “diverted quite a bit from the book, in ways people did not notice, which made me feel good it had a lot of ‘Atwood-ness’.”
The show certainly banks of having the right kind of frightening atmosphere, which includes bold costuming and impeccable cinematography. Speaking of a scene centering on the funeral of a handmaid in Gilead, Miller said, “Everything from the design of their costumes to the way they look is so chilling. These scenes that are so beautiful, while set in such a terrible place, provide the kind of contrast that makes me happy.”
Elisabeth Moss, who plays protagonist Offred, also teased the progression of her character, which includes having a baby but having it taken away from her. To put it simply, “She can’t be its mother. It makes for good drama.” Overall, Season 2 will be darker and more demanding, “if that’s possible,” said Moss. It was also announced that Marisa Tomei will be joining The Handmaid’s Tale in the upcoming season, although her role is being kept under wraps for now.
The Handmaid’s Tale has continually received buzz from audiences and critics since premiering early last year. The show then went on to win a ton of awards, winning five out of its seven Emmy nominations and was recently awarded two Golden Globes.
The Handmaid’s Tale returns to Hulu on April 25. Watch the teaser below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxQhWrAcQnE
Related Topics: Hulu, The Handmaid's Tale
