‘The Handmaid’s Tale’: Ann Dowd Thinks There Will Be 2 More Seasons of the Show Before ‘The Testaments’
The Hulu series The Handmaid’s Tale is based on a novel of the same name by Margaret Atwood. In 2019, Atwood published a sequel to the novel called The Testaments. Hulu is expected to make an adaptation of The Testaments once The Handmaid’s Tale concludes. In an interview with ET Canada, actor Ann Dowd shared that she thinks The Handmaid’s Tale will end after its sixth season.
[Spoiler Alert: This article contains spoilers for season 4 of The Handmaid’s Tale and The Testaments.]
Ann Dowd thinks ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ will go 2 more seasons
In The Handmaid’s Tale on Hulu, Dowd plays Aunt Lydia. And her character has a large role in The Testaments novel, as well.
So far, The Handmaid’s Tale has been renewed for a fifth season. But it is unclear how long the show will continue before Hulu moves on to The Testaments.
Speaking with ET Canada, Dowd shared that she believes The Handmaid’s Tale will have six seasons.
“We have two seasons of Handmaid’s, and then the plan I believe is to go into The Testaments,” Dowd said.
Ann Dowd is impressed with season 5 of ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’
The fourth season of The Handmaid’s Tale concluded in June 2021. As with a majority of the show’s finales, the season 4 finale of The Handmaid’s Tale ended on a cliffhanger. Because of this, fans have no idea what is in store for the characters once the show resumes.
In her interview with ET Canada, Dowd shared her reaction to the first episode of the show’s fifth season.
“I just read the first episode. It’s fantastic,” Dowd said. “And I didn’t see where it was going. I didn’t see where last season was going because we don’t get a lot in advance.”
She added, “I’m just saying I think those who watch The Handmaid’s Tale are going to be quite happy with what’s happening, and it’s pretty thrilling.”
Dowd will appear in ‘The Testaments’
In 2021, The Hollywood Reporter interviewed Dowd about her future playing Aunt Lydia. During the interview, Dowd confirmed that she will reprise the character in The Testaments.
“Yes, that’s the plan. It’s a fantastic novel, it’s brilliant. I’ve listened to the audiobook, which I loved, and I’m very much looking forward to it. It takes place 15 years later, after the end of Handmaid’s. For anyone who hasn’t yet read it, I’ll remain cryptic,” Dowd said.
Going forward, Dowd is excited to explore more parts of Aunt Lydia.
“The men are in charge, but she’s very smart,” Dowd told The Hollywood Reporter. “That’s what’s so great in The Testaments. She has tremendous patience and she knows how to stay alert and aware. She has her sources. She keeps it private and hidden, but she has it all.”
