Handmaid’s Tale Hulu vs. Book: Key Differences

If you’re a fan of “The Handmaid’s Tale” TV show, you might be curious about how it compares to the original book by Margaret Atwood. The series, which has been a hit on Hulu, is based on Atwood’s dystopian novel where women are forced to bear children for men in a future with low fertility rates. Since its premiere, Elisabeth Moss, Yvonne Strahovski, Madeline Brewer, Ann Dowd, O-T Fagbenle, Max Minghella, Samira Wiley, and Amanda Brugel have led the cast.

Hulu has renewed the show for six seasons, and there’s even more to come with the adaptation of Atwood’s sequel, “The Testaments.” Although there haven’t been any recent updates on the production, fans are eagerly awaiting its release.

Margaret Atwood, the author of the book, has been involved as a consulting producer on the series. She has shared that while she didn’t have much control over the script, she supports the show and appreciates its impact and faithfulness to the core ideas of her novel.

As the final season of “The Handmaid’s Tale” approaches, viewers have seen some key differences between the show and the book. For instance, the series started diverging from the original story in season 2 to expand the world and characters beyond what Atwood had written.

One notable change is the revelation of Offred’s name as “June” before she was assigned as “Offred,” emphasizing her struggle for freedom. In the TV series, the Waterford family, portrayed by Yvonne Strahovski and Joseph Fiennes, is depicted differently from the book, with Serena Joy being a younger, central figure within Gilead, adding a new layer to the story.

Despite these differences, the show has captured the essence of Atwood’s novel and continues to draw audiences into its gripping world. Fans can look forward to the upcoming final season and the new stories that await in “The Testaments” adaptation.