The Testaments: Aunt Lydia Returns in The Handmaid’s Tale Spinoff

Ann Dowd reprises her Emmy-winning role as Aunt Lydia in The Testaments, a novel series based on Margaret Atwood’s sequel novel to The Handmaid’s Tale. The highly anticipated spinoff will premiere on Hulu and Disney+ on April 8, 2026, with three episodes, followed by weekly releases. The series also stars Chase Infiniti as Agnes/Hannah and Lucy Halliday as Daisy.

What is The Testaments About?

The Testaments is a coming-of-age drama set in the dystopian world of Gilead, focusing on a new generation of young women grappling with their bleak futures. The story centers on Agnes, a pious and dutiful young woman, and Daisy, a newcomer to Gilead, as they navigate Aunt Lydia’s elite preparatory school for future wives. Their bond will ultimately challenge the established order. According to Hulu, the series explores the experiences of young women who have only known life under Gilead’s rule, lacking memories of the world before their indoctrination.

Aunt Lydia’s Evolution

Even as maintaining her position as an Aunt within Gilead, Lydia Clements undergoes a significant transformation in The Testaments. She secretly works as a mole, feeding information to the United States and documenting her experiences in a memoir that opposes Gilead’s ideology.

The Return of Hannah

Chase Infiniti portrays Agnes, who is revealed to be the older version of Hannah, June Osborne’s long-lost daughter. Having forgotten her origins, Agnes eventually discovers her true heritage and her connection to Daisy, also known as Nicole.

The Handmaid’s Tale Finale

The Handmaid’s Tale concluded on May 27, 2025, with the resistance, Mayday, and the U.S. Military successfully dismantling Gilead’s leadership in Boston, aided by Commander Lawrence’s sacrifice. Janine was reunited with her daughter Charlotte, and June, after witnessing the reunion, resolved to continue the fight against Gilead, with the hope of freeing her eldest daughter, Hannah. June then returned to the Waterford home to begin writing a book about her experiences.

Elisabeth Moss’s Role

Elisabeth Moss is involved in The Testaments as an executive producer, alongside showrunner Bruce Miller. While her character, June Osborne, plays a significant role in the novel, Miller has indicated that the series will primarily focus on the new characters and their stories, with June’s involvement being more indirect. Miller stated that the story is about “another group of characters in general” and that June has “impotence to do anything about it.” Yet, he also suggested that characters from The Handmaid’s Tale may reappear.

Awards Potential

The Handmaid’s Tale was a critically acclaimed and award-winning series, garnering 15 Emmy Awards, two Golden Globes, and three Critics Choice Awards. The Testaments will be eligible for consideration at the 2026 Emmy Awards.

Where to Watch

The Testaments will be available on Hulu, and on Disney+ for bundle subscribers in the U.S., and on Disney+ internationally.