AceShowbiz - The Testaments on Hulu draws from Margaret Atwood's novel sequel to The Handmaid's Tale, but the TV adaptation introduces several notable changes from the book. While the source material continues the dystopian world established in The Handmaid's Tale, the showrunners have adapted timelines, character arcs, and plot details to suit the television format and to expand the story in new directions.

The Handmaid's Tale originally aired from 2017 to 2025 and is set in a grim future where declining fertility rates force women into reproductive servitude under the theocratic regime of Gilead. The narrative follows women assigned to men for bearing children, exploring their struggles and resistance against oppressive control.

The Testaments book, published by Margaret Atwood, takes place 15 years after the events of the original novel. It is narrated by three women: Aunt Lydia, a key figure within Gilead's hierarchy; Agnes, a young woman raised within Gilead; and Daisy, a girl living in Canada who becomes entangled in the regime's secrets. Together, they work covertly to expose and undermine Gilead's oppressive system.

Ann Dowd returns to portray Aunt Lydia in the Hulu adaptation, serving as a covert informant inside Gilead. Agnes and Daisy pose as "Pearl Girls"—a position within the society—to infiltrate Canada and smuggle incriminating information about Gilead’s regime. This espionage-driven storyline remains central to the show’s plot.

Margaret Atwood explained at a 2019 event that while she could not continue the story of Offred (the protagonist of the original book and show), she could explore other perspectives to tell "the beginning of the end" of Gilead. She noted that the regime is no longer present 200 years in the future, referencing a symposium on how such regimes collapse. Atwood expressed interest in exploring how oppressive systems eventually fall.

Costume design is one area where the TV show and book differ. Atwood noted new costume choices in The Testaments to reflect characters' roles and affiliations, akin to how uniforms or team outfits signal identity throughout history. The series incorporates these visual cues to deepen storytelling.

When the Hulu series premiered in April 2026, creator Bruce Miller discussed the adaptation process, emphasizing that the show does not strictly follow the book’s chronological order. Instead, the series extracts central elements and restructures the timeline for coherence and dramatic effect. Miller stated, "I'm trying to not necessarily take things in the order they happen in the book, but to take the big central elements and move them into a timeline that makes as much sense as we can."

One significant adaptation choice involves the character Daisy. In the book, Daisy is revealed to be the daughter of June (Offred) and Nick, known as Nichole and later Holly. However, the show diverges from this revelation due to a shorter time jump of four years after the original series finale, rather than the 15 years in the book, meaning Daisy is not portrayed as Holly in the TV version.

Miller also emphasized the creative liberty taken with character ages and backgrounds to maintain practicality in the TV world. For example, Daisy's character had to be redefined to fit the show's timeline and narrative needs. The show also expands on vague elements from the book by developing those seeds into fuller storylines, always guided by Atwood's original world and storytelling principles.

The timeline difference is a crucial distinction between the two versions. While Atwood's book jumps 15 years ahead, Hulu's adaptation sets The Testaments about four years after the conclusion of The Handmaid's Tale series. This shift impacts character development and plot progression, notably influencing how Daisy’s identity is portrayed.

Another notable difference involves Aunt Lydia's backstory. The book reveals Lydia was a family court judge before becoming a powerful figure in Gilead. In contrast, the TV show adapts her past, depicting her as a schoolteacher before her rise, adding nuance to her character's motivations and history within the visual narrative.

The show’s first season of The Testaments covers roughly the first section of Atwood’s novel, according to Miller. Given that The Handmaid's Tale TV series spanned six seasons based on one book, it is expected that The Testaments will also take creative liberties as it develops, especially if it continues to find success on Hulu.

Casting choices also reflect these adaptation decisions. Commander Judd, a high-ranking Gilead official in the book, is described as an older man who marries child brides repeatedly. The show ages the character down and casts Charlie Carrick in the role. Judd's younger portrayal shifts the dynamic with characters like Agnes and her classmates, who admire Judd’s wife Penny, a friend and figure of envy.

Overall, while Hulu’s The Testaments takes inspiration from Margaret Atwood’s book, it rearranges timelines, alters character identities, and expands on story elements to suit the demands of serialized television. The adaptation respects Atwood’s narrative but allows room for new creative exploration within this dystopian universe.

Fans of the original Handmaid’s Tale and its sequel can expect a blend of familiar themes and fresh perspectives as the series continues to explore the complex downfall of Gilead and the resilience of its characters. As the show progresses, it will likely introduce further changes, balancing fidelity to Atwood’s vision with the storytelling needs of television.