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The Handmaid’s Tale Sequel The Testaments Premieres Today – Here’s Where to Stream
The show takes place roughly five years after the events of The Handmaid’s Tale.
Alex Lee, Senior Tech Critic
Wednesday 08 April 2026 11:01 BST
It’s like Mean Girls, but in Gilead (Disney).
It has been nearly a year since viewers last witnessed Elisabeth Moss’s June liberate Boston from the iron-clad grip of Gilead’s theocratic regime. For those eagerly awaiting the next chapter in The Handmaid’s Tale universe, praise be, the highly anticipated sequel series, The Testaments, finally premieres today.
Streaming Details and Release Schedule
The first three episodes of Margaret Atwood’s Booker Prize-winning sequel, The Testaments, are now available for streaming in the UK. The series picks up approximately five years after June’s rebellion, introducing a fresh generation of characters. In a departure from its predecessor, which aired on Channel 4 and Amazon Prime Video, The Testaments is exclusively streaming on Disney+ in the UK.
The inaugural season comprises 10 episodes in total. Following today’s premiere, the remaining seven instalments will be released weekly every Wednesday, allowing fans to follow the unfolding narrative over the coming weeks.
Subscription Options and Pricing
To access The Testaments, viewers need a Disney+ subscription. The platform offers several tiers to suit different preferences and budgets:
- The standard tier with ads is priced at £5.99 per month.
- For an ad-free experience, the premium tier costs £9.99 per month.
- Those seeking 4K streaming and support for up to four devices can opt for the premium tier at £14.99 per month.
Additionally, Disney+ provides annual plans that offer savings of just over 16 per cent. The standard annual subscription reduces to £99.90 per year, while the premium annual plan is £149.90 per year.
For a bundled option, Disney+ is included in Sky’s Ultimate TV package, starting from £24 per month. This bundle combines Sky TV with subscriptions to Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, and Hayu in a single monthly payment.
Plot Overview and Cast Insights
Based on Margaret Atwood’s acclaimed 2019 novel, The Testaments expands the dystopian world of Gilead through the perspectives of three central women. The narrative follows Agnes Mackenzie, also known as Hannah, as she is raised within Gilead under the strict supervision of Aunt Lydia, training to become a Wife. Alongside her, the series introduces Daisy, a teenager raised outside Gilead who becomes entangled in the regime, and Aunt Lydia, whose influential role within the theocracy is pivotal to the storyline.
The cast features Chase Infiniti, recently Golden Globe-nominated for One Battle After Another, portraying Agnes; Lucy Halliday, known for Blue Jean, as Daisy; and Ann Dowd reprising her Emmy-winning role as Aunt Lydia. They are joined by a talented ensemble including Amy Seimetz, Rowan Blanchard, Brad Alexander, Mabel Li, Mattea Conforti, and Zarrin Darnell-Martin. Elisabeth Moss returns as an executive producer, lending her expertise to the production.
Creative Direction and Differences from the Book
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly last April, returning showrunner Bruce Miller likened the series to "Mean Girls growing up in Gilead," highlighting a more coming-of-age tone compared to the original series. The Testaments delves into the experiences of growing up at the apex of Gilead’s hierarchy, as the daughter of a high commander, rather than from the oppressed perspective of June at the bottom.
A key divergence from the source material is the adjusted timeline. While Atwood’s novel is set 15 years after the events of The Handmaid’s Tale, the television adaptation is positioned roughly four to five years after the finale, portraying Agnes (Hannah) as a teenager on-screen. This shift allows for a more immediate continuation of the story, bridging the gap between the two narratives seamlessly.
For viewers planning to stream while travelling, consider exploring the best VPNs for Fire TV Stick to ensure uninterrupted access to The Testaments and other content.
