The first season of The Handmaid's Tale premiered in April last year, a show that chronicles the dystopian world of Gilead, in which women are mere child-bering vehicles who have no agency and freedom, are raped regularly via a "ceremony," and are passed around different pairs of infertile couples to give them children.
It's an adaptation of Margaret Atwood's groundbreaking 1985 novel of the same name, and the first show from a streaming service — it's available exclusively on Hulu — to win an Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series — the top prize. It tells the story of an alternative reality wherein most of the United States, after it's toppled by a pernicious civil war, hijack women's rights by removing them from their families and forcing them to bear children for other people — like a baby factory that gets a new owner each time they spawn a child.
Now, the trailer for its second season has finally been released, showing Offred — real, pre-Gilead name June — on the run. The sophomore season will explore the social and political conflicts that led to Gilead's succession from the United States.
When the show ended its first season last year, June was captured by authorities while her friend Moira was able to escape to Canada and find refuge. The trailer shows the characters dealing with their circumstances after their escape from Gilead. In the clip, June is gagged by officials, Moira is safe and sound in Canada, and also the much-discussed colonies back in the first season — a polluted land where Gilead sends it prisoners to.
But despite the seemingly grimy and chaotic themes of the upcoming season, it seems the core story will focus on being a mother — in a world where motherhood has become toxically defined, no less.
"So much of this season is about motherhood," said Elisabeth Moss, one of the show's producers and the actor who plays the role of June, for which she won an Emmy. "We've talked a lot about the impending birth of the child that's growing inside of her as a bit of a ticking time bomb. The complications are really wonderful to explore. She does have the baby, but it gets taken away from her. She can't be its mother. It makes for good drama."
The Handmaid's Tale recently won top prizes at the 2018 Golden Globes, including the top Best TV Series prize, and another trophy for Moss's performance as June. Many critics hailed the show as one of the best of last year's programming lineup. It was also included in our list of best TV shows in 2017. Check out the best TV shows to watch in 2018!
Season two of The Handmaid's Tale premieres April 25. You can watch the official trailer below.
