The Handmaid’s Tale returns to C4 for a second series
Following the finale of the hugely successful first series, which has wowed critics and audience alike, Channel 4 announced that it will air the second series of The Handmaid’s Tale.
Freedom, like everything else, is relative
Based on the award-winning, best-selling novel of the same name by The Handmaid’s Tale follows the story of life in the dystopia of Gilead. A totalitarian society in what was formerly part of the United States. The series has been heralded by audiences and the media as “a real and terrible present” (The Times), “the most timely show on television” (Evening Standard) and “chillingly believable” (i).
Better never means better for everyone. It always means worse, for some
The Finale – *Spoiler Alerts*
The Handmaid’s Tale reached a distressing finale *Don’t read on if you haven’t yet watched the finale yet as this includes spoiler alerts*
Serena Joy’s suspicions about Offred and the Commander’s illicit affair are finally confirmed in the finale.
Serena, the wife of the Commander, forces her to take a pregnancy test, which is positive. What is incredibly distressing to watch is the scene in which Serena drives her to see her daughter, before trapping Offred in the car, unable to reach out to her.
“As long as my baby is safe, so is yours,” Serena Joy
Serena also witnesses an intimate exchange with Nick, who is no doubt the father of Offred’s baby. Cruelty is not just imposed on the women, however. Serena also seeks revenge against her husband for his infidelity and he loses his hand as punishment.
Offred receives letters from other Handmaid’s in Gilead hoping to find loved ones and a way out. With Moira breaking her way out to Ontario, we are given a glimmer of hope that there is a way out of this brutal regime.
“They should have never given us uniforms if they didn’t want us to be an army”
In one of the final acts of defiance, the handmaids are brought together to stone one of their own to death. Janine has attempted to take her own life. She is sentenced to death by stoning for endangering the life of a child. Ofglen (Tattiawna Jones) stands up in defiance only to get whacked by the butt of a gun. Offred drops her rock, as do the other women, in an act of rebellion against Aunt Lydia, choosing not to kill her.
“And so I step up, into the darkness within, or else the light.”
How it ends for Offred: At the end, a black car pulls up and Nick says “just go, trust me.” We are left wondering whether Offred is escaping or condemned to a bleaker future than which she has had to endure. What we do know, is that we can’t wait for Series 2!
About The Handmaid’s Tale
Adapted from the classic novel by Margaret Atwood, ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ reveals the dystopian story of life in Gilead.
A totalitarian society in what was formerly the United States. Facing environmental disasters and a plunging birth rate, Gilead is ruled by a twisted fundamentalism in its militarized “return to traditional values.” As one of the few remaining fertile women, Offred (Elisabeth Moss) is a Handmaid in the Commander’s household. One of the women forced into sexual servitude as a last desperate attempt to repopulate the world. In this terrifying society, Offred must navigate between Commanders, their Wives, domestic Marthas, and her fellow Handmaids – where anyone could be a spy for Gilead. All with one goal: to survive and find the daughter that was taken from her.
The series is Channel 4’s biggest acquisition since Homeland
The first season of the incredibly timely series The Handmaid’s Tale has garnered an impressive 13 Emmy Award nominations in the drama series. As well as a lead actress nomination for Elisabeth Moss. Supporting Actress in a Drama Series nominations for Ann Dowd and Samira Wiley, and a guest actress nomination for Alexis Bledel, among others.
Jay Hunt, Channel 4’s Chief Creative Officer said: “The Handmaid’s Tale has been a stand out success for Channel 4. I’m delighted that audiences are also going to be able to enjoy its dark and thought-provoking second season.”
The Handmaid’s Tale stars Elisabeth Moss, Joseph Fiennes, Samira Wiley, Max Minghella, Yvonne Strahovski, O-T Fagbenle, Alexis Bledel and Ann Dowd.
Margaret Atwood, who wrote the original book, is a consulting producer for the series.
Reviews:
“The best thing you’ll watch all year” – The Guardian
“It’s some of the most important TV that will be on our screens this year.” – Stylist
“Gripping.” – Daily Telegraph
“Bleak, powerful, beautiful, as though painted in sombre oils” – The Observer
“Superbly realised.” – i
“Strikingly reimagined” – The Times
“A triumph of grim subjugation” – The Sunday Times