Scottish Star Lucy Halliday Steps into The Handmaid's Tale Universe with New Spin-Off Role
Scots actress Lucy Halliday has expressed feeling a profound sense of responsibility as she takes on her new role in the highly anticipated spin-off series The Testaments, based on Margaret Atwood's sequel to The Handmaid's Tale. The 21-year-old from Paisley, Renfrewshire, spoke candidly about this pressure during the world premiere celebration at the Series Mania festival in Lille, France.
Leaning on Experienced Production Team for Guidance
Halliday revealed that she was able to 'lean' heavily on the extensive experience and knowledge of the production team, which includes Hollywood star Elisabeth Moss, who serves as an executive producer. 'We had such strong source material ready, and we've both been fans of The Handmaid's Tale,' Halliday explained, referring to herself and co-star Chase Infiniti. 'Then we had Ann, Warren Littlefield, Bruce Miller and Elisabeth Moss all involved in the creation of the show. We had so much to lean on to inform us of who our characters were.'
The actress described how showrunner Bruce Miller fostered a collaborative environment, sitting down with actors to brainstorm character development. 'That really created a wonderful environment,' she noted. 'You felt a responsibility stepping into this world that already exists and is so loved, but I feel reassured, these people have trusted me and they're giving me the space to step into that world.'
Breaking Secrecy and Embracing the Dystopian Drama
Halliday, who has been attending press events for James McAvoy's directorial debut California Schemin', had previously been sworn to secrecy about her part in The Testaments. At Lille, she finally opened up about playing Daisy, a new convert navigating dangers within an elite school for 'future wives' where obedience is paramount.
'I feel like we can do a good job because we've got so many people behind us and so much information that we can use,' Halliday stated optimistically. 'I really hope the audience thinks so too.'
Co-Star Chase Infiniti on Costumes and Character Development
Halliday attended the star-studded event with American co-star Chase Infiniti, 25, who plays Agnes. Infiniti, fresh from the Oscars where her film One Battle After Another won six awards including Best Picture, discussed how the distinctive robes and gowns helped actors embody their roles.
'It definitely is. It's your first piece of armour in a way,' Infiniti remarked. 'All of our costumes were made to fit us perfectly, but they can even be restrictive at times, which I think helped to get into the physicality of our roles. For Agnes, it helped me figure out how she would walk with her nobility in this world.'
Halliday echoed this sentiment, noting that her own robe informed her character's movement, with costumes serving as the initial step in discovering their personas.
Insights from Veteran Cast and Creators
Actress Ann Dowd, who reprises her role as the terrifying Aunt Lydia, surprisingly revealed she 'loves' her character. 'I don't judge her and she's come to be a very dear friend of mine,' Dowd shared. 'Imagine knowing a character for this many years. How lucky can one be? I'm entirely grateful.'
Director Bruce Miller highlighted the thematic shift from the original series: 'Handmaid's Tale covered people who were at the bottom of Gilead and this show is about young women who are at the top of Gilead. It also shows how, for women, the top and the bottom are very similar. This is a story about that awakening and that rebellion among the younger women of Gilead – the ones who had grown up there.'
Producer Warren Littlefield addressed the show's exploration of humanity within dark narratives: 'We live in a world that's a dark place. Hope comes from their strength and resilience. These young women have an awakening in season one and they will come to fight it and let's hope they take it down.'
Background and Broadcast Details
The Handmaid's Tale, starring Elisabeth Moss as defiant June, depicts women living under a brutal theocracy in the fictional state of Gilead. The series achieved significant success, with its finale drawing 4.4 million viewers in its first week of streaming.
The Testaments continues this dystopian saga, promising to delve into new layers of the oppressive society. Series Mania runs until March 27, with The Testaments scheduled to broadcast in the UK from April 8 on Disney+, marking a major addition to the streaming platform's lineup.
