When is The Handmaid’s Tale season 2 out? Release date, trailer, cast and more…

THE Handmaid’s Tale finale shocked viewers with its brutal portrayal of a dystopian world. But when will the adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s novel return for season two?

What is the release date for the Handmaid’s Tale season 2?

US streaming service Hulu has confirmed that The Handmaid’s Tale season two will be airing in April 2018 for American viewers.

UK broadcaster Channel 4 for the Hulu original series hasn’t yet set an air date for the second outing. Judging by this timescale, The Handmaid’s Tale season two could be released in the UK in May 2018.

The recommission came amid warnings that it will be equally dark and uncompromising.

What will happen in The Handmaid’s Tale season 2?

Season two is set to focus on the unexplored parts of Gilead and the repercussions of a handmaid rebelling against the government.

“The seasons moving forward, we have so much stuff to do: the stories of the colonies, the red center, there are so many worlds to explore,” showrunner Bruce Miller told Entertainment Weekly. “We are going to stay focused on Offred and her journey through Gilead. We aren’t going to stray too far from that.”

He further added that the world of The Handmaid’s Tale is so rich and abundant that he is not worried about not having enough stories to tell.

“The problem is choosing from the ones we do have,” he said.

In an interview with The Pool, Elisabeth Moss, who plays the heroine Offred, teased fans suggesting there is no happy ending in sight just yet.

“Wait till you see what’s coming!” she said. “It’s going to get worse, girl. Season two is going to be bad too, really dark. Something to look forward to, yay!”

Viewers were also glad to know that Alexis Bledel has been signed on as a regular and will return as Ofglen in the new season.

HOW IS THE SEASON DIFFERENT FROM THE BOOK?

HULU

The Handmaid’s Tale season two will premiere sometime in 2018Executive producer for The Handmaid’s Tale, Warren Littlefield, teased that Emily (Alexis Bledel) would have a pivotal part in the forthcoming run.

“I will say she’s a very critical part of [Season two],” he said to TV Guide at the Television Critics Association winter press tour.

Littlefield continued: “We’re able to, using flashbacks, go back into her past as well as bring her to the present. I think it’s highly effective, particularly as we explore the character of Emily. Alexis is quite remarkable.”

The Handmaid’s Tale: Emily wakes up after undergoing FGM

HULU: Offred is seen gagged in the new trailer for The Handmaid’s Tale season 2

Based on the 1985 novel of Margaret Atwood, the series took the world by storm with its bleak and and dystopian portrayal of the future.The Handmaid’s Tale envisages a world ravaged by infertility and a totalitarian Christian-fundamentalist dictatorship in the former US, now known as Gilead.

In the Republic of Gilead, women are brutally enslaved to a role where they must become pregnant against their will and bear the children of the ruling elite.

The series does not shy away from graphic portrayals of sexual assault during twisted rituals that see the Handmaids impregnated.

We are going to stay focused on Offred and her journey through Gilead. We aren’t going to stray too far from that Bruce Miller, The Handmaid’s TaleHulu’s head of content Craig Erwich said the reaction to the series since its premiere has been “absolutely incredible”.

Who are the cast of The Handmaid’s Tale?

Hulu announced that 24 actress Cherry Jones will be playing the part of Offred’s mother Holly, who has been referred to in flashbacks.

The streaming platform has said Jones is a guest star, so it’s uncertain how much she’ll be featured in the show.

She’s set to be appearing in episode three and has been described as an “outspoken feminist” but a woman who is loving towards her daughter, reported CinemaBlend.

In the original book, Offred’s mother appeared in a training video which hinted that her fate was sealed when she was packed off to the colonies. But her story could diverge in the TV show.

Mad Men and High Rise star Elisabeth Moss plays the Handmaid Offred and proud of the show’s strongly feminist themes.

“There are many groups that are punished and much maligned in the show,” she told the Irish Times.

“Is it first and foremost feminist? Absolutely, it’s called The Handmaid’s Tale.”

HULU: Elizabeth Moss stars as the heroine Offred

She added: “It’s not called The Abortion Doctor’s Tale. It’s not called The Gay Man’s Tale, but it’s also about other things, which is what I was trying to say.”Alongside her is Bafta nominee Joseph Fiennes and Yvonne Strahovski, as Offred’s wealthy masters Feed Watford and his wife Serena Joy.

Fans will also recognise Madeline Brewer from Orange is the New Black as the actress behind handmaid Ofwarren.

Hollywood actress Ann Dowd also appears on the series as the Handmaids’ brutal instructor Aunt Lydia.

Tattiawna Jones, Amanda Brugel and Ever Carradine also appear on the series as recurring characters.