The world of Gilead is back. Hulu and Disney+ are releasing The Testaments on April 8, 2026. This new series continues the story from The Handmaid’s Tale. But this time, the focus shifts to the next generation growing up under the strict rules of Gilead.
The show brings back one major familiar face while introducing several fresh talents. The story takes place years after June Osborne’s fight against the regime. Agnes MacKenzie, the daughter of June and Luke, is now a teenager living inside Gilead’s elite circle.
Here is a breakdown of who plays who in the new dystopian drama.
Ann Dowd Returns as the Fearsome Aunt Lydia
Ann Dowd reprises her role as Aunt Lydia. She won an Emmy for this character in the original series. In The Testaments, she runs an elite preparatory school for young girls. These girls are being trained to become the future wives of Commanders.
Aunt Lydia remains a terrifying figure. She uses harsh methods to teach obedience. But her character also becomes very important in showing the hidden problems inside Gilead’s system. Dowd is known for her work in The Leftovers and the horror film Hereditary.
Chase Infiniti Leads as Agnes MacKenzie
Chase Infiniti plays Agnes MacKenzie. This is a very important role. Agnes is the biological daughter of June Osborne and Luke Bankole. Fans of The Handmaid’s Tale remember her as Hannah, the child taken from her parents when Gilead first rose to power.
Now a teenager, Agnes lives with Commander MacKenzie and his wife Paula. She attends Aunt Lydia’s school. She is a “Plum,” meaning she is part of the elite class. But she starts to question the life she was forced into. Infiniti recently appeared in the film One Battle After Another and the legal thriller Presumed Innocent.
Lucy Halliday Plays the Outsider Daisy
Lucy Halliday takes on the role of Daisy. Daisy comes from Canada, a free country outside Gilead’s control. She arrives at the school as a “Pearl Girl.” These are converts who choose to join Gilead’s way of life.
Daisy does not fit in easily. Her background and personality make her stand out. She becomes a close friend to Agnes. Together, their friendship pushes them to question the regime’s rules. Halliday is a Scottish actress who earned praise for her performance in the film Blue Jean.
Mattea Conforti Joins as Becka Grove
Mattea Conforti plays Becka Grove. Becka is one of Agnes’s closest friends at the school. She is a sensitive and loyal character. Her story in the series deals with heavy themes. She tries to escape the pressure of forced marriage.
Conforti has a strong resume. She appeared in The Many Saints of Newark (a Sopranos prequel) and voiced young Elsa in Frozen II.
Rowan Blanchard Stars as the Privileged Shunammite
Rowan Blanchard portrays Shunammite. She is a pampered teen from a powerful Gilead family. Her status lets her act with confidence, sometimes turning into cruelty. She represents the competitive and harsh side of the elite daughters.
Blanchard is known to many for her lead role in the Disney Channel series Girl Meets World. She also appeared in the sci-fi series Snowpiercer.
Amy Seimetz Plays the Strict Stepmother Paula
Amy Seimetz takes the role of Paula. She is Agnes’s stepmother. Paula is not a warm parental figure. The character is introduced as cold and controlling. She follows Gilead’s rules strictly.
Seimetz is both an actress and a filmmaker. She is known for her work in The Killing and The Girlfriend Experience.
The Supporting Cast of The Testaments
Several other actors fill out the world of Gilead in this sequel.
- Mabel Li as Aunt Vidala: She is another authority figure working with Aunt Lydia
- Brad Alexander as Garth: He plays a Guardian who catches Agnes’s attention
- Zarrin Darnell-Martin as Aunt Gabbana: She plays a strict aunt at the school. She has appeared in Ginny and Georgia
- Eva Foote as Aunt Estee: She brings a slightly more caring presence to the Aunts
- Kira Guloien as Rosa: She plays the Martha who works in Agnes’s house
- Isolde Ardies as Huldah: She is one of the Plum students at the academy
- Birva Pandya as Miriam: Another classmate of Agnes who struggles with the system
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Release and Streaming Details for The Testaments
The Testaments premieres on April 8, 2026. Viewers in the United States can watch on Hulu. Viewers in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and India can watch on Disney+.
The first three episodes will arrive on the same day. After that, one new episode will come out every Wednesday. The season has a total of 10 episodes. The finale is scheduled for May 27, 2026.
Elisabeth Moss is not returning as a main cast member. But she is an executive producer on this sequel series.
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