The Handmaid’s Tale sequel has amassed over 45 million hours streamed globally with two episodes still to go in its first season.
Hulu is heading back to Gilead. The streaming platform has renewed The Testaments for a second season eight episodes into its 10-episode freshman run, citing consistent week-to-week viewership growth since its April 8 debut.
The numbers tell the story. The series garnered over 11 million hours streamed globally in its first eight days across Hulu and Disney+. By Episode 8, first-day views were up 76% compared to the premiere, and the show has now accumulated over 45 million hours streamed globally to date. The series currently holds an 88% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Created by Bruce Miller, the same writer behind the Emmy-winning The Handmaid’s Tale, The Testaments is based on Margaret Atwood’s Booker Prize-winning novel of the same name. The coming-of-age story follows Agnes, played by Chase Infiniti, a dutiful and pious young teen, and Daisy, played by Lucy Halliday, a new arrival from beyond Gilead’s borders. Together they navigate Aunt Lydia’s elite preparatory school for future wives, where obedience is enforced brutally and always with divine justification. Ann Dowd returns as Aunt Lydia, and The Handmaid’s Tale star Elisabeth Moss reprised her role as June Osborn in a guest appearance.
Infiniti, notably, has had a breakout few months. She debuted in The Testaments just weeks after transforming from a virtual unknown into an award-winning film star for her role in One Battle After Another.
The ensemble also includes Mabel Li, Amy Seimetz, Brad Alexander, Rowan Blanchard, Mattea Conforti, Zarrin Darnell-Martin, Eva Foote, Isolde Ardies, Shechinah Mpumlwana, Birva Pandya, and Kira Guloien.
Miller serves as showrunner and executive produces alongside Warren Littlefield, Elisabeth Moss, Steve Stark, Shana Stein, Maya Goldsmith, John Weber, Sheila Hockin, Daniel Wilson, Fran Sears, and Mike Barker, who directed the first three episodes and the finale. Priscilla Porianda is a co-executive producer. The series is produced by MGM Television and 20th Television.
Episode 9 of The Testaments is available now on Hulu, with the season finale set for May 27.