David Farnor | On 09, May 2018

The Handmaid’s Tale Season 2 will premiere in the UK on Sunday 20th May, we can confirm.

Hulu’s TV series, based on Margaret Atwood’s seminal novel of the same name, is set in the dystopia of Gilead, a totalitarian society in what was formerly the United States. Facing environmental disasters and a plunging birthrate, Gilead is ruled by a twisted fundamentalism in its militarised ‘return to traditional values’. As one of the few remaining fertile women, Offred (Elisabeth Moss) is a Handmaid in the Commander’s household, one of the caste of women forced into sexual servitude as a desperate attempt to repopulate the world.

With its horrifyingly pertinent themes and a dedicated cast, Season 1 was one of the best shows of 2017, going on to become the first streaming show to win Best Drama at the Emmys. Since its return in the US, there has been only one question on everyone’s lips in the UK: when will The Handmaid’s Tale Season 2 premiere in the UK. Now, blessed be the fruit, Channel 4 has confirmed that it will debut on Sunday 20th May at 9pm, with episodes then airing weekly.

Read on below for the trailer – or head this way. to catch up with our reviews of Season 1, plus find out where you can watch The Handmaid’s Tale online legally.

 

The Handmaid’s Tale Season 2 drops chilling new trailer

28th March 2018

“What will happen when I get out? There probably is no out. Gilead is within you.”

It’s not long until The Handmaid’s Tale returns for a second season, and a new trailer gives us a taste of the chilling horrors that lie in store.

The TV series, based on Margaret Atwood’s seminal novel of the same name, is set in the dystopia of Gilead, a totalitarian society in what was formerly the United States. Facing environmental disasters and a plunging birthrate, Gilead is ruled by a twisted fundamentalism in its militarised ‘return to traditional values’. As one of the few remaining fertile women, Offred (Elisabeth Moss) is a Handmaid in the Commander’s household, one of the caste of women forced into sexual servitude as a desperate attempt to repopulate the world.

Warning: Spoilers for Season 1 follow.

The new trailer picks up where Season 1 left off, as June appears to have made it out of the Commander’s home, but there’s far from happiness on the cards, a we glimpse Serena (Yvonne Strahovski) being reprimanded, Moir (Samira Wiley) protesting, and a truly harrowing shot of handmaids lined up on gantries around Ann Dowd’s tormentor. All that in under 2 minutes? It’s safe to say that the promise of a series shaped by Offred’s pregnancy and her fight to free her future child is only the start of what’s on the way.

Spoilers end.

The series will return to Hulu on 25th April in the US. After the series’ smash hit success at the Emmys, and the wave of hype the programme’s return is now riding, you can expect Channel 4 to air Season 2 in the UK with much less of a delay. Until then, you can catch up with Season 1 here.

 

The Handmaid’s Tale Season 2 unveils new trailer and guest star Marisa Tomei

16th January 2018

The Handmaid’s Tale Season 2 will return in April for US viewers, Hulu has announced – and the show will be adding some extra star power in the form of Marisa Tomei.

The TV series, based on Margaret Atwood’s seminal novel of the same name, is set in the dystopia of Gilead, a totalitarian society in what was formerly the United States. Facing environmental disasters and a plunging birthrate, Gilead is ruled by a twisted fundamentalism in its militarised ‘return to traditional values’. As one of the few remaining fertile women, Offred (Elisabeth Moss) is a Handmaid in the Commander’s household, one of the caste of women forced into sexual servitude as a desperate attempt to repopulate the world.

The bleak, harrowing and shockingly topical drama has made huge waves in the last year, becoming the first online programme to win an Emmy for Best Series and also going on to win Best Drama at the Golden Globes this year. Now, Hulu has confirmed that it has a release date of 25th April in the USA, with 13 more episodes released weekly, kicking off with a double-bill. A UK release date for The Handmaid’s Tale Season 2 is not yet known, but Channel 4 will broadcast the show again for British audiences – and, after complaints over a delay in broadcast last year and with awards acclaim piling up, you can expect not to have wait long after the US premiere to see it.

Speaking at the TCA press event on Sunday, Hulu also revealed that Season 2 is adding Marisa Tomei as a guest star. Creator Bruce Miller said they were “lucky” to have her, also noting that the series will have a bigger budget in Season 2 to expand its world.

That will mostly help the show to delve more in the USA’s second civil war, which led to the creation of Gilead. Miller, though, assured that the show remains “in an Atwood world”, with Season 2 featuring some of the material from the author’s work that was not included in Season 1.

And, to top it all of, Hulu also unveiled the first full trailer for the show’s return, which gives us a glimpse of what to expect, as Offred continues to fight against the dark oppression of the state – a battle that only looks to become bleaker, as the trailer accompanies stunningly dark visuals with a creepy cover of Buffalo Springfield’s Stop Children What’s That Sound.

Here’s the new trailer:

 

Teaser: The Handmaid’s Tale Season 2 gets April 2018 release date

19th November 2017

The Handmaid’s Tale will return for Season 2 in April next year, Hulu has announced.

The US streaming site struck gold with its adaptation of the novel by Margaret Atwood, which is set in the dystopia of Gilead, a totalitarian society in what was formerly the United States. Facing environmental disasters and a plunging birthrate, Gilead is ruled by a twisted fundamentalism in its militarised ‘return to traditional values’. As one of the few remaining fertile women, Offred (Elisabeth Moss) is a Handmaid in the Commander’s household, one of the caste of women forced into sexual servitude as a desperate attempt to repopulate the world.

Season 1 became the first ever online programme to win an Emmy for Best Series, with Moss also bagging an Emmy for her lead performance. Now, after its swift renewal for a second run, Hulu has confirmed that it will air in April 2018 with a new teaser trailer.

The video doesn’t give much away, but does give us a glimpse of a handmaid running down a dark corridor by torch, with her “wings” in hand, as she continues to resist the role forced upon her. More importantly, Hulu has also released a synopsis for Season 2. (Warning: Spoilers in this following paragraph.)

The Emmy-winning drama series returns with a second season shaped by Offred’s pregnancy and her ongoing fight to free her future child from the dystopian horrors of Gilead. “Gilead is within you” is a favourite saying of Aunt Lydia. In Season 2, Offred and all our characters will fight against – or succumb to – this dark truth.”

Spoilers end.

Season 2 will span 13 episodes and is now in production. It will once again air on Channel 4 in the UK, although the broadcaster has not yet confirmed when it will return – but after the uproar following the delay in Season 1’s broadcast, you can expect Channel 4 to bring us the new episodes much quicker after their US broadcast. The good news is that the broadcaster is currently repeating the first season, which means it is available to catch up with on All 4 – although not all episodes are currently available, as they expire after 40 days. The full box set is available to buy and download on pay-per-view VOD.

Here’s the new teaser:

 

 

The Handmaid’s Tale will return to Channel 4

6th August 2017

The Handmaid’s Tale will officially return to Channel 4 for Season 2.

The show was renewed earlier this year by Hulu, before it had even found a home on UK TV. With Channel 4 since snapping up the rights for British viewers, the broadcaster has confirmed that the TV hit will definitely be on the channel again.

Based on the award-winning novel of the same name by Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid’s Tale follows the story of life in the dystopia of Gilead, a totalitarian society in what was formerly part of the United States. Starring Elisabeth Moss, Joseph Fiennes, Samira Wiley, Max Minghella, Yvonne Strahovski, O-T Fagbenle, Alexis Bledel and Ann Dowd, the series was created for television by Bruce Miller (The 100), who serves as the series’ showrunner.

The series has stunned audiences with its harrowing yet shockingly prevalent alternate world. Indeed, the series has performed as Channel 4’s biggest acquisition since Homeland and attracted a current series average consolidated audience of 2.3 million viewers per episode.

It has performed just as well with critics and the industry, with a whopping 13 Emmy Award nominations under its belt, including a lead actress nomination for Elisabeth Moss, and Supporting Actress in a Drama Series nominations for Ann Dowd and Samira Wiley.

Jay Hunt, Channel 4’s Chief Creative Officer says: “The Handmaid’s Tale has been a stand out success for Channel 4. I’m delighted that audiences are also going to be able to enjoy its dark and thought provoking second season.”

With a response like that, it’s safe to say that they won’t wait so long next time to bring it to British screens.

The final episodes of The Handmaid’s Tale are now on All 4, with the full season available to purchase as a box set on Amazon Instant Video and iTunes.

 

The Handmaid’s Tale finds UK TV home on Channel 4

16th May 2017

The Handmaid’s Tale will air on Channel 4 in the UK.

The broadcaster announced today that it has acquired the acclaimed series from MGM Television. Starring Elisabeth Moss and Joseph Fiennes and based on Margaret Atwood’s award-winning, best-selling novel, the show premiered as a Hulu original in the US, but has taken weeks to find a UK broadcaster, despite strong hype, high demand and much outrage from British fans eager to see the show. Now, Channel 4 has finally swooped in to snap up the programme.

The Handmaid’s Tale is the story of life in the dystopian Gilead, a totalitarian society in what was formerly part of the United States. Facing environmental disasters and a plunging birth rate, Gilead is ruled by a twisted fundamentalist regime that treats women as property of the state. As one of the few remaining fertile women, Offred (Moss) is a Handmaid in the Commander’s (Fiennes) household, one of the caste of women forced into sexual servitude as a last desperate attempt to repopulate a devastated world. In this terrifying society where one wrong word could end her life, Offred navigates between Commanders, their cruel Wives, domestic Marthas and her fellow Handmaids – where anyone could be a spy for Gilead – with one goal: to survive and find the daughter that was taken from her.

Jay Hunt, Channel 4’s Chief Creative Officer says: “The Handmaid’s Tale is a chilling and frighteningly topical exploration of a world where women are subjugated. I’m delighted that Channel 4 viewers will get to see this critically-acclaimed take on a classic novel.”

The 10-part series will air on Channel 4 at 9pm on Sunday nights, starting on 28th May.

 

The Handmaid’s Tale moves closer to UK TV as Hulu orders Season 2

7th May 2017

Hulu’s adaptation of The Handmaid’s Tale is moving closer to UK TV, according to producers, as the show is renewed for a second season.

Based on the award-winning novel by Margaret Atwood, the series is one of the most anticipated shows of the year, with its dystopian take on the United States, a cast including Elisabeth Moss and hugely pertinent themes about women and control all catching audiences’ attentions. The fact that the show is not available in the UK yet has only added to its allure, joining The Leftovers Season 3 (arriving in July) in the list of high-profile programmes viewers want to catch without having to wait – and without fear of stumbling upon spoilers.

The Handmaid’s Tale follows the story of life in the dystopia of Gilead, a totalitarian society in what was formerly part of the United States. The series is created, executive produced and written for television by Bruce Miller (The 100), with Atwood working as a consulting producer. The Handmaid’s Tale is produced by MGM Television and marks the first collaboration for an original series between Hulu and MGM.

In an online age where day-and-date broadcasts are becoming the norm to cater for global conversations – Twin Peaks later this month will follow Game of Thrones, American Gods and The Walking Dead in airing on UK TV within 24 hours of its US debut – the delay in The Handmaid’s Tale arrival on British shores is baffling to many, especially as a number of UK publications are watching and reviewing the series, despite it not being legally available in this country.

Hulu, meanwhile, has already ordered a second season, after a strong response in the US. The news was announced hot on the heels of Season 1’s premiere, which was watched by more Hulu viewers than any other series premiere – original or acquired – on the service.

“The response we’ve seen to The Handmaid’s Tale in just one week since its premiere has been absolutely incredible. It has been an honour to work with this talented team of cast and creators to develop a series that has struck such a chord with audiences across the country,” said Hulu’s SVP and Head of Content, Craig Erwich, at an event this week. “As we continue to expand our strong slate of original programming, The Handmaid’s Tale is exactly the type of gripping and thought-provoking storytelling we want to bring to viewers. We can’t wait to explore the world of Gilead and continue Margaret’s vision with another season on Hulu.”

When will The Handmaid’s Tale be shown on UK TV? We, and many other publications, have reached out to streaming services and broadcasters for any hint of an acquisition, but MGM has confirmed to RadioTimes that the series will be available for Brits in the near future. In the past, Hulu originals The Path and Casual have aired on Amazon Prime Video in the UK, while 11.22.63 was snapped up by FOX UK. With Amazon and Sky both claiming they will not be showing the series, the picture is not yet any clearer.

“We hope to make an announcement soon” about which UK broadcaster has secured the rights, the company told the RadioTimes. Atwood has also added on Twitter that she has been “told the date will be clarified soon”.

Stay tuned: we’ll bring you more news as soon as we can confirm it.

 

Trailer: Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale promises to be timely

9th January 2017

One of the most talked-about shows of spring 2017 is Hulu’s adaptation of The Handmaid’s Tale.

Margaret Atwood’s novel was published several decades ago, but remains a familiar, timely and provocative text.

The series will tell the story of life in the dystopia of Gilead, a totalitarian society in what was formerly the United States. Facing environmental disasters and a plunging birthrate, Gilead is ruled by a twisted fundamentalism in its militarized ‘return to traditional values’.

As one of the few remaining fertile women, Offred (Elisabeth Moss) is a Handmaid in the Commander’s household, one of the caste of women forced into sexual servitude as a last desperate attempt to repopulate the world. In this society, Offred must navigate between Commanders, their cruel Wives, domestic Marthas, and her fellow Handmaids – where anyone could be a spy for Gilead – all with one goal: to survive and find the daughter that was taken from her.

There is no UK broadcaster confirmed yet for the show, although as with 11.22.63 and The Path, it is only a matter of time until someone on British shores bites – partly because of how topical the material is, and partly because of how impressive the just-released first trailer for the programme looks.

“Every time someone reads it, it’s timely,” showrunner Bruce Miller told the press at the Television Critics Association press tour over the weekend.

Miller penned the adaptation during the primaries for the presidential election.

“I think none of us could ignore what was happening,” he commented.

“It’s like a Shakespeare play in that it remains timeless in its context,” agreed Joseph Fiennes, who plays the Commander who owns Offred, using her to produce the offspring that his wife cannot have.

Co-star Samira Wiley, who plays Offred’s friend, Moira, chimed in: “It’s our responsibility as artists to reflect the time we’re living in. This show is showing us the climate we’re living in. For me, personal issues are, specifically, women and their bodies and who has control of our bodies. Do we have control of that, or does someone else?”

The Handmaid’s Tale will debut 26th April on Hulu. Watch this space for more on its UK air date.

Photo: Hulu

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