Unveiled at CCXP25 Brazil, The Testaments is Disney+'s latest sci-fi drama series, based on Margaret Atwood’s acclaimed novel of the same name, published in 2019 and winner of the Booker Prize. Designed as a direct sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale, the series is developed by Bruce Miller, the showrunner and executive producer of the original. It will premiere on Disney+ on April 8, 2026, with three episodes available at launch, followed by a new episode each week.
Set several years after the events known from Gilead, The Testaments offers a fresh perspective by focusing on a new generation of young women who were born and raised within the authoritarian theocracy. Away from the gaze of the Handmaids, the story centers on those who have only known the regime’s rules, with no direct memory of the world before.
The series primarily follows Agnes, a devout and disciplined teenager, and Daisy, a newcomer who is abruptly thrown into the ruthless realities of Gilead. Both are enrolled in the school run by Aunt Lydia, an institution where obedience is drilled through coercion and psychological manipulation. Their meeting acts as a catalyst, challenging their beliefs and paving the way for a deeper questioning of the oppressive system.
The Testaments
First images released by Disney+ reaffirm the visual and thematic ties to The Handmaid’s Tale. The aesthetic cues of Gilead remain, but the storytelling shifts focus toward themes of legacy, indoctrination, and passing down traditions. The oppressive world is now explored through the eyes of teenage girls facing a future heavily restricted and predetermined.
The cast features Ann Dowd, reprising her central role, alongside Chase Infiniti, Lucy Halliday, Mabel Li, Amy Seimetz, Rowan Blanchard, Mattea Conforti, Isolde Ardies, Shechinah Mpumlwana, and Birva Pandya. This lineup highlights a rising generation of actresses, at the heart of a story conceived as a passing of the torch narratively.
At its core, The Testaments continues to explore the core themes of Margaret Atwood’s work: systemic oppression, collective memory, and long-term resistance. While The Handmaid’s Tale depicted the sudden collapse of individual freedoms, this new series examines how an authoritarian society can profoundly shape those who grow up within it.
The Testaments
Series | 2026
Season 1 premieres on Disney+ starting April 8, 2026
Drama, science fiction
Created by Bruce Miller | Based on Margaret Atwood's novel
Featuring Ann Dowd, Chase Infiniti, Lucy Halliday
Country of origin: United States
The Testaments
With The Testaments, Disney+ and Bruce Miller expand the world of Gilead, delving into its impact across multiple generations. The series acts as a direct and politically charged continuation of The Handmaid’s Tale, focusing on themes of legacy, indoctrination, and the faint hope for lasting change.
For more options, check out our latest picks: the Disney+ releases for April, our comprehensive guide to new streaming premieres across all platforms, and today’s top recommendations in What to watch today in streaming.
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