The anticipation has ended as “The Testaments” made its world premiere at the Series Mania festival in France.
MGM Television produces this new series, inspired by Margaret Atwood’s novel, which is set to debut on Disney+ in April. The narrative explores a young woman’s journey to adulthood in the dystopian world of Gilead.
The storyline follows Agnes, a privileged character played by Chase Infiniti from “One Battle After Another,” and Daisy, portrayed by Lucy Halliday, who is new to Gilead and a recent convert. Together, they traverse the corridors of Aunt Lydia’s (Ann Dowd) prestigious school for future wives.
Ann Dowd, renowned for her role as a beloved antagonist, expressed her affection for Aunt Lydia: “I love her. That’s our job as actors. The first rule is: do not judge. I don’t judge her, and she has become a very dear friend of mine. I came to know her, she came to know me, and I couldn’t be more grateful.”
Reflecting on her return to the role, she described it as “the great pleasure and the great joy, a privilege, all of it.” She shared her appreciation, saying, “Imagine knowing the character for these many years. How lucky can one be?”
Lucy Halliday, who was also at the festival, expressed her gratitude for having the novel and the iconic series, which concluded after six seasons, as resources.
“We had such strong source material ready, and [with Chase Infiniti] we’ve both been fans of ‘The Handmaid’s Tale.’ We’ve seen the show and read the books. Then we had Ann, Warren Littlefield, Bruce Miller, and Elisabeth Moss [who exec produces], all involved in the creation of the show. We had so much to lean on.”
She recalled: “Bruce is so open and willing to have a conversation. He would really sit down with you and [talk about] what the character should be, the ideas you had or just trying to know that his thoughts were your thoughts. That really created a wonderful environment where you felt: ‘Ok, there’s a responsibility stepping into this world that’s so beloved, but I feel reassured these people have trusted me and given me the space to step into it.’ I felt: ‘We can do a good job. I really hope the audience thinks so too’.”
Chase Infiniti highlighted the significance of the show’s costumes.
“For all of us, since we are wearing a variety of costumes in the show, it’s your first piece of armor. All of our costumes were made to fit us perfectly, but they can be restrictive at times. It helped to get into the physicality of our roles.”
Bruce Miller, the creator, and Warren Littlefield, the producer, were present in Lille.
“‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ covered people who are at the bottom of Gilead, and this shows women who are at the top of Gilead. But it also shows how for women, the top and the bottom are very similar,” Miller explained to the audience.
“This is a story about awakening and rebellion among younger women in Gilead and those who have grown up there. That’s the expansion of the world.”
Despite the show’s darker themes, Littlefield emphasized the importance of maintaining humanity.
“We live in a world that’s a dark place, and hope comes from their strength and their resilience. Ann crosses over from ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ as Aunt Lydia – she knows that world. These young women have an awakening in our season one, and they will come to fight it. Let’s hope they take it down.”
At the opening ceremony, Managing Director Laurence Herszberg welcomed the International Competition jury, led by Icelandic director Benedikt Erlingsson, who showcased “The Danish Woman” last year.
“When I came here, ‘The Danish Woman’ didn’t get any prizes. It was a scandal! Now, I’m here to take revenge. And by ‘revenge,’ I mean that I will make sure the best series wins,” he joked, joined by Alice Braga, Hatik, and Cécile de France.
A somber note was struck as juror Ida Panahandeh was unable to attend due to the ongoing war. She sent a heartfelt message to the audience.
“I’m deeply happy to know that somewhere in the world, there are people like you, people who strive to make this world a better place to live. You know, if I come out of this war alive, perhaps I will make a series that tells the story of the bitter days and nights my people are dealing. People who have been crushed for decades under the weight of social or political discrimination, economic sanctions, and who are now also living under fallen missiles, emancipated,” she said.
“Whenever soldiers begin crossing their country’s borders, artists suddenly find themselves forbidden to leave theirs. It’s a bitter irony, isn’t it? I wish all the soldiers to stay within their own borders and take a rest. While, you know, all the artists could cross borders freely, without a doubt, we would have a far better world.”
She continued: “My dear friends, let us condemn war, any war, whether it’s in Ukraine, Iran, or Gaza. Let us condemn the brutal killing of children and civilians, regardless of the color of their skin or their eyes. And let us not below the promise of peace and democracy to become an excuse for the re-emergence of fascism.”
Herszberg emphasized, “In a world rife with violence coming from all sides and deepening divisions, it is essential to remember the role of culture – as a source of guidance and enlightenment – and the role of festivals as a place where we can come together when everything else is in flux.”
She described Series Mania as an event that “gives a voice to artists and their work.”
“It is a week that fosters the exchange of perspectives and opinions, and allows artists to express themselves freely, regardless of their nationality. Here, we do not judge by passport; we look at the works of the mind. We would like to remind everyone of a truth that is often forgotten. Creative freedom is fragile, and wherever that freedom is threatened, artists are among the first victims.”
“To all these artists, we want to say one simple thing. Their works will always find a place at Series Mania. Because we know that culture is not a luxury reserved for peaceful times. It allows societies to weather storms without losing their soul. It is the thread that connects human beings, transcending borders, languages, and fears.”
