With its sixth and final season set to premiere on April 8, “The Handmaid’s Tale” will soon come to a dramatic conclusion. Created by Bruce Miller, the Hulu show draws inspiration from Margaret Atwood’s 1985 novel of the same name. Since its debut in 2017, it has won 15 Emmy Awards, including outstanding drama series—the first for Hulu.
Though “The Handmaid’s Tale” is ending its impressive run, it’s getting a spinoff! On April 1, Variety reported that Atwood’s 2019 follow-up novel, “The Testaments,” is officially in the works at the streamer. Production began in Toronto on April 7, which means it’s still possible to join this dystopian franchise.
If you’re interested in learning more, this guide includes casting information, audition advice from Elisabeth Moss and other prominent stars, and more.
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Set in the not-too-distant future, the story takes place in the aftermath of America’s Second Civil War. To combat strikingly low birthrates, Gilead—the dystopian, totalitarian government that came to power in the U.S.—now forces fertile women, known as Handmaids, into child-bearing slavery, forcing those who are physically able to help repopulate society. Women, in general, have been stripped of their rights and are no longer allowed to pursue careers or own property; but Handmaids, specifically, are assigned to elite families, where they are impregnated by force and obligated to bear said children for well-to-do couples.
Despite her life as a Handmaid, June Osborne (Moss) finds herself determined to reunite with her husband, Luke (O-T Fagbenle), and her daughter, Hannah, and return to the life they had during “the time before.” But as she works to subvert her own fate, could June upend Gilead’s oppressive rule of law for good?
The series established itself as a hotbed for A-list talent, with stars such as Moss, Fagbenle, Yvonne Strahovski, Ann Dowd, Joseph Fiennes, Alexis Bledel, Bradley Whitford, Samira Wiley, Madeline Brewer, Max Minghella, and Amanda Brugel.
Sharon Bialy, Sherry Thomas, and Russell Scott of Bialy/Thomas & Associates were the main CDs behind each season of “The Handmaid’s Tale.” The trio has also cast “Breaking Bad,” “Better Call Saul,” and “The Act,” among other hit titles. Here’s how to get in the room with the CDs. Auditioning remotely instead? Bialy told us how she spots talent on tape.
If you hope to become the star of your own dystopian series, or even join “The Testaments” one day, there’s much to learn from those who’ve come before. The following articles offer insight into how the biggest stars from “The Handmaid’s Tale” brought their characters to life, and how their processes can help others channel their emotions into compelling parts of their own:
- Elisabeth Moss Reveals How She Emotionally Prepares to Play Traumatized Women
- The Secret to ‘Making It,’ According to ‘Handmaid’s Tale’ Star O-T Fagbenle
- Where Bradley Whitford Found the Evil of ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’
Production for “The Testaments” is already underway. According to Variety, the streamer is just starting to make casting announcements. So, it’s a good idea to keep these roundups bookmarked in case an opportunity arises:
We also suggest checking out these casting directory pages, which update with the latest public calls as they become available:
For more audition advice, these articles will help you make the most of the casting process:
- ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Casting Director on Listening in Auditions
- Why Yvonne Strahovski Rejects the Word ‘Rejection’
- How to Audition for Hulu