Birva Pandya, who plays Miriam in the new Hulu and Disney+ series The Testaments, has revealed that the conservative outfits worn by women in Gilead are even more restrictive than they appear. The show, a sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale based on Margaret Atwood’s novels, follows young women in Aunt Lydia’s elite preparatory school.
Pandya told Reach that the costumes, designed by Leslie Kavanagh, were meticulously crafted but physically confining. “You wouldn’t think it but they kind of are restrictive, especially when you’re in them for so long,” she said. The actress noted that the tight garments caused tension in her shoulders and neck, which helped her embody the oppressive atmosphere of Gilead.
Her character Miriam is a quiet student focused on securing a powerful husband, but her world is shaken by the arrival of rebellious newcomer Daisy. Pandya described Miriam’s arc as “tense and quite sad,” as her singular goal of marriage collapses, leaving her uncertain about her future. “With Gilead you just never know, it can take you anywhere,” she added.
The series, which premiered on Disney+ today, features a cast including Chase Infiniti, Rowan Blanchard, Lucy Halliday, and Ann Dowd as Aunt Lydia. Pandya praised the scripts for their unexpected twists, saying she was “surprised almost every single time” by the direction of the story.
