Hulu just released The Testaments, the follow-up show to The Handmaid’s Tale, on April 8, 2026. The first three episodes are already streaming, and fans are asking a simple question: do you need to watch six seasons of the original series before starting the new one?
The short answer is yes and no. Let us break down everything you need to know about the viewing order so you can make the right choice.
What Is The Testaments About and How Does It Connect to The Handmaid’s Tale
The Testaments takes place about four to five years after the ending of The Handmaid’s Tale. The story follows two teenage girls, Agnes and Daisy, as they grow up in Gilead’s strict system. Agnes is actually Hannah Bankole, the daughter of June Osborne (the main character from the original show) who got taken away from her parents years ago. Daisy comes from outside Gilead and ends up at Aunt Lydia‘s school for future wives.
The new series focuses on these young women trying to find their place in a world that wants to control everything about them. Ann Dowd returns as Aunt Lydia, but her character has changed a lot since we last saw her. Bruce Miller, who created both shows, says The Testaments is about what happens when you tell teenage girls what they must become and take away their teenage years.
Why Watching The Handmaid’s Tale First Makes the Most Sense
Watching all six seasons of The Handmaid’s Tale before starting The Testaments gives you the full picture. The original show introduces Gilead as a harsh religious dictatorship where women lose all their basic rights. You learn about the color codes (red for Handmaids, blue for Wives, brown for Aunts), the special words used in Gilead, and how the resistance movement works.
More importantly, you understand the emotional weight behind the story. June spent six seasons fighting to get her daughter Hannah back. Seeing Agnes now as a teenager in The Testaments hits much harder when you know everything her mother went through to try and save her. There are also spoilers in the new show about what happened to certain characters from the original series.
Can New Viewers Start With The Testaments Without Watching the Original
Yes, you can start with The Testaments without watching a single episode of The Handmaid’s Tale. The show’s creators made sure new audiences can follow along. The story mainly follows Agnes and Daisy, so you learn about Gilead through their eyes. The show explains enough about how the system works so you will not feel completely lost.
Bruce Miller said The Testaments is actually easier to watch than the original because it focuses on younger characters who are figuring things out together. Ann Dowd also mentioned that watching the young women interact and resist in their own way makes the show intense but more approachable for new viewers.
Key Things You Should Know Before Watching The Testaments
If you decide to skip the original series, here are some basic facts that will help you understand The Testaments better.
Gilead is what used to be the United States. A group of extremists took over during a time of crisis when birth rates dropped dramatically. They created a system where women have no freedom and are forced to follow strict rules. Handmaids wear red and are forced to have children for wealthy couples. Aunts like Lydia wear brown and train the younger women. Girls from important families wear purple and are called Plums.
Agnes was born Hannah Bankole. Her mother June escaped from Gilead but could never rescue her daughter. Aunt Lydia started as one of the most feared characters in The Handmaid’s Tale, but by the end of the original series, she changed completely. She now runs a school for girls and seems softer, though still dangerous.
What Critics and Fans Are Saying About the Viewing Experience
The Testaments premiered with three episodes on April 8, and reactions are coming in. People who watched The Handmaid’s Tale say the sequel hits differently because they understand the history. New viewers report that they can follow the story without trouble, though some terms and references might need a quick search online.
The show airs weekly on Wednesdays on Hulu in the US and Disney+ in other countries. Episode 4 arrives on April 15, followed by Episode 5 on April 22, Episode 6 on April 29, Episode 7 on May 6, Episode 8 on May 13, Episode 9 on May 20, and the finale on May 27.
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Streaming Details for Global Audiences
The Testaments is available on Hulu in the United States. For viewers in the UK, Canada, Australia, and India, the show streams on Disney+. The first five seasons of The Handmaid’s Tale also became available on Disney+ in the UK starting April 8, making it easier for new viewers to catch up.
New subscribers can get a 30-day free trial on Hulu’s ad-supported plan, which costs $11.99 per month after the trial. The Disney+ bundle with Hulu starts at $12.99 per month.
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