Margaret Atwood’s world of Gilead is back on screen with ‘The Testaments‘, and fans have been waiting to see how closely it follows her original story.
Now that viewers have seen a few episodes of the new sequel, the big curiosity lies in what Atwood thinks of the series. And, finally, our author has spoken up.
Margaret Atwood Shares Her Thoughts And Cameo In ‘The Testaments’
When ‘The Testaments‘ premiered on Hulu, it continued the story from ‘The Handmaid’s Tale‘. The show brings viewers back to Gilead and focuses on a new phase of the story. The show takes place about four years after the events of the earlier series and builds on those relationships.
Amid the high-intensity ongoing storyline of ‘The Testaments‘, Margaret Atwood has made it clear that she is happy with the show. She even revealed that she filmed a cameo in it. She wrote, “I have a cameo in [‘The Testaments’], though I can’t say as what, except that it’s scowly.”
Atwood shared, “I can’t tell you what part I am playing; secret! But it was a pleasure to work with the excellent team, and to watch the [marvelous] Ann Dowd in action as Aunt Lydia, alongside the very talented actresses playing the two young female leads. Can’t wait to see the finished episodes!“
Atwood Supports The Show And Its Direction
Fans who have followed Atwood’s work for years will be glad to know that she supports the show’s direction. She understands that books and TV shows are different and that some changes are needed.
In case you missed it: ‘The Testaments’: 5 Book vs TV Show Differences
She explained her view clearly by saying, “I’m not one of those authors who said, ‘The necktie is wrong. I’m taking my name off the project’. I know the compromises you have to make, and you want somebody who’s going to make the best ones.“
Atwood also spoke about her working relationship with Bruce Miller, the showrunner. She said, “Bruce and I could talk frankly. He’s so filled with enthusiasm and energy. It wasn’t just a job to him. It was the fulfillment of his lifetime dream.”
The author also shared how excited Miller was when ‘The Testaments‘ was released as a book. She said, “When I published ‘The Testaments,’ Bruce said, ‘Thank you, thank you, thank you’“. She added that he was “very happy to have something later in time that follows up on the people who are children or babies during the original.”
With Atwood’s support and involvement, the show stays close to its original spirit while still making changes that work for television.
You might also like to read: 10 Things To Know Before Watching ‘The Testaments’ If You Haven’t Watched ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’
