Hulu has unveiled the trailer for its upcoming drama ‘The Handmaid’s Tale‘ based on the 1985 speculative fiction best seller by Canadian author Margaret Atwood.
The tale is set in the dystopian future in which the United States has been conquered and transformed into the Republic of Gilead, a military theocracy in which women have been stripped of their rights. The lead character, Offred winds up in a caste called Handmaids, women whose sole purpose is to bear children. She is separated from her husband and daughter and assigned to bear children for the powerful Commander Fred and his infertile (?) wife Serena Joy. In fact, the name “Offred” means “of Fred” meaning that her only role in life is to belong to him in order to bear his children. It is implied that Offred’s real name was June, but she is forbidden from using it.
‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ reunites ‘Mad Men’ alums Elizabeth Moss, who stars as Offred and Alexis Bledel, who plays fellow Handmaid Ofglen. The cast also includes Joseph Fiennes as The Commander, Yvonne Strahovski as Serena Joy, Max Minghella as The Commander’s chauffeur Nick, and Samira Wiley as Moira, a lesbian friend of Offred’s who escapes after being assigned to become a Handmaid.
Check out the trailer below:
Though brief, the clip hints that this is a top notch production and looks very intense and dramatic. Personally, I’d watch Elizabeth Moss in anything and to have her fronting this series is all the enticement I need!
Atwood’s ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ was awarded the 1985 Governor General’s Award and the 1987 Arthur C. Clark Award. It was previously adapted into a film in 1990, directed by Volker Schlöndorff and starring Natasha Richardson as Offred, Faye Dunaway as Serena Joy and Robert Duvall as The Commander. The story has also been adapted to dramatic radio, as a stage play, an opera and even a ballet.
Hulu’s adaptation will consist of ten episodes which will be available simultaneously on April 26. The show was created and written by Bruce Miller who will also serve as one of the executive producers.
Are you a fan of the novel? Are you excited about the upcoming series?
Sources: Entertainment Weekly
