The Testaments spoilers for episodes 1-3 follow.
The Handmaid's Tale spin-off series The Testaments has closed its first episode with a bang as a key character from the main show made a surprise appearance, revealing a crucial connection to the new storylines.
Based on the 2019 novel by Margaret Atwood, who also penned The Handmaid's Tale, The Testaments focuses on the Commanders' daughters in Gilead, examining their lives of supposed privilege as they wake up to the repressive reality of the republic.
The story follows the friendship between Agnes MacKenzie, played by One Battle After Another's Chase Infiniti, and new student from Canada, Daisy (Lucy Halliday).
At the end of episode 1, Elisabeth Moss reprises the role of The Handmaid's Tale protagonist June Osborne, confirming her freedom fighter character is still very much hellbent on bringing Gilead down.
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But before the series could reveal June's bond to the new characters, episode 3 explained why she was instrumental in Daisy's arrival to Gilead. The daughter of two Mayday rebels, the new student is on a mission to infiltrate the republic, hinting at the fight for freedom being far from over.
Ahead of the surprise cameo, The Testaments showrunner Bruce Miller explained June's return depended on several factors, namely Moss's availability.
"Whether Elisabeth Moss is available that week or not, decides whether she's in the show or not," he told Entertainment Weekly.
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As for the character's motives, Miller said that June's journey "could not end until certain things fell into place."
"That character really felt like she needed, still needs — she had work to do," he continued.
Halliday, who had an intense sequence with the OG Handmaid in episode 3 of The Testaments, enthused: "Elisabeth Moss is the embodiment of The Handmaid's Tale. So getting to share the screen with her is a privilege. I was acutely aware of that."
"I think I just found myself watching her a lot," she added. "Like, I'd sit in silence between takes, just watching her, because she knows everything about this world."
The Testaments episodes 1-3 are streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.
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Stefania is a freelance writer specialising in TV and movies. After graduating from City University, London, she covered LGBTQ+ news and pursued a career in entertainment journalism, with her work appearing in outlets including Little White Lies, The Skinny, Radio Times and Digital Spy.
Her beats are horror films and period dramas, especially if fronted by queer women. She can argue why Scream is the best slasher in four languages (and a half).
