In 2017, Margaret Atwood’s groundbreaking dystopian story The Handmaid’s Tale was given a modern adaptation by Hulu. The series provided a terrifying look into what could happen to the United States in the wake of irreparable environmental damage, unchecked misogyny, and an unexpected medical crisis. In the second season of the show, Hulu moves beyond Atwood’s 1985 novel, with the writer's help, to expand the story of the dystopian country Gilead and the handmaids charged with the job of bearing children.
According to Hulu’s description, season 2 centers on Offred’s (played by Elizabeth Moss) “ongoing fight to free her future child from the dystopian horrors of Gilead. ‘Gilead is within you’ is a favorite saying of Aunt Lydia. In Season 2, Offred and all our characters will fight against—or succumb to—this dark truth.”
In the trailer above, viewers get a look into previously unseen parts of Gilead, including the Colonies, which were frequently mentioned in the first season. The Colonies are comprised of the polluted land of North America, where expelled citizens are sent to work under toxic conditions until they die. According to Entertainment Weekly, the second season is also going to explore the lives of refugees like Moira (played by Samira Wiley).
The Handmaid’s Tale won big at the Golden Globes and Critics’ Choice Awards over the past week. Following the first season's success, the expectations for the next season are high. “The biggest barrier of season 2 was season 1,” showrunner Bruce Miller told Entertainment Weekly. “You sort of intimidate yourself. But at a certain point, you can’t spend all your time second-guessing things. Instead, you just have to remember to try and tell a good story.”
Season 2 of The Handmaid's Tale comes out on Hulu April 25.
