The Cast of The Testaments Is Expanding the World of The Handmaid’s Tale

Ann Dowd is back! And she is reprising her role as Aunt Lydia from The Handmaid’s Tale. Known as a high-ranking “Aunt,” she helps to steer and uphold the traditional and religious values of Gilead with a focus on the role of young women. In The Testaments, she adopts a leadership position as the founder of the school that students like Agnes and Daisy attend, helping to shape them into good wives. Fans will be able to see the character arc from her position overseeing the handmaids in The Handmaid’s Tale to the leading Aunt in The Testaments.

Aside from her Emmy Award-winning performance as Aunt Lydia, Dowd is also known for playing Patti Levin in the television show The Leftovers. She has also been in films such as Hereditary (2018), Compliance (2012), and Mass (2021). Other notable performances include her 1993 Broadway debut in the play Candida.

A classmate alongside Agnes, Shunammite is another one of the “Plums.” Like Agnes, she is the daughter of a high-ranking Gilead official. Her blunt and feisty personality makes her a source of unwanted tension amongst her fellow classmates.

Shunammite is played by 24-year-old Rowan Blanchard. She is best known for her work as Riley Matthews in Disney’s Girl Meets World. Other previous work includes Crush (2022), A Wrinkle in Time (2018), Spy Kids: All the Time in the World (2011), and Snowpiercer (2024).

A best friend to Agnes, Becka is also a student at Aunt Lydia’s school. She and Agnes both encounter the same challenge: coming of age in Gilead. Becka has her menstrual period and thus becomes a “Green,” meaning she must confront her fears of marriage and womanhood all at once.

You might recognize actress Mattea Conforti’s voice from Frozen 2 (2019), as she played a young Elsa. Her other work includes her 2015 role on Broadway as Matilda in Matilda the Musical.

Also known as Agnes’ adoptive father, Commander MacKenzie is a high-ranking official in Gilead. He and his late wife, Tabitha, adopted Agnes when she was younger. Commander MacKenzie is currently married to Paula, Agnes’ stepmother.

Commander MacKenzie is played by Nate Corddry. He is known for playing Dan in The Circle (2017) and Josh in The Ugly Truth (2009). Corddry has also made appearances on several other television shows, including the NBC series Harry’s Law and the first two seasons of the CBS sitcom Mom.

The leading woman of Commander MacKenzie’s home, Paula is Agnes’ stepmother. She married Commander MacKenzie following the death of his first wife, Tabitha, which happened prior to the events taking place in the show. As the stepmother to Agnes, Paula exerts a stern footing toward both her staff and her own stepdaughter.

Paula is played by Amy Seimetz, who can also be seen as Kris in Upstream Color (2013) and Rachel in Pet Sematary (2019). Other features include The Girlfriend Experience and Stranger Things.

Aunt Vidala is one of the four leading Aunts in the series. She, alongside her fellow enforcers, oversees teaching the young women of Gilead the ideals and practices for their roles in society.

Mabel Li is known for her work in the film New Gold Mountain (2021). Li studied at the National Institute of Dramatic Art in Sydney, Australia, before landing her first role in the Australian television show The Tailings.

Eva Foote stars as Aunt Estee, another one of the head Aunts at Lydia’s school. Described as one of the softer Aunts, Estee assists in educating the girls on wifely duties prior to marriage.

In addition to her role in The Testaments, Foote can also be seen as Mary in Murdoch Mysteries.

Garth is a “Guardian” in Gilead. As a Guardian, he is sworn to protect the family members of Commanders, instill order, and police the streets. He works closely with Agnes’ family.

Any You fans here? Actor Brad Alexander is known for his role as Edward in season 4 of Netflix’s You, starring Penn Badgley.

Commander Judd is a high-ranking officer in Gilead. He has immense power within the state and is newly married to one of Agnes’ classmates, Penny.

Fans may recognize Charlie Carrick as Sam from the Amazon Prime series We Were Liars.

Within the group of “Plums” on the brink of womanhood is Miriam. Miriam is in the same class as Agnes, Becka, and Shunammite.

Birva Pandya is a Canadian actress known for her work in Night Raiders (2021), Level 16 (2018), and Odd Squad.

Rosa is a “Martha,” a woman in Gilead practicing domestic servitude. She works for Commander MacKenzie and Paula in their home. Rosa has served the family for years, and she and Agnes share a close bond.

Outside of The Testaments, Guloien is best known for her roles as Anna in Women Talking (2022) and the TV series 56 Days.

Hulda is at school with Agnes, Becka, Shunammite, Miriam, and Jehosheba. She has been friends with the girls since childhood and is following the same path as the others—with the hope to marry soon.

You might have seen Isolde Ardies as Stacey in the Netflix series Wayward.

A competitive member of the “Plums,” Jehosheba is also aiming for the marriage market. Similar to the other young women, she comes from a respectable, high-ranking family in Gilead.

Mpumlwana’s other work includes her role as Briana in The Fire Inside (2024) and Cassie in the film 13: The Musical (2022).

As Commander Judd’s new wife and a previous classmate to Agnes and her friends, Penny is adapting to her newfound responsibilities.

Her previous work includes guest roles in TV shows, including Locke & Key, Motorheads, and October Faction.

Zilla is a Martha newly assigned to Agnes’s household. As a form of punishment, she had her tongue removed prior to working there. Alongside Rosa, Zilla aids the family with their day-to-day lives.

Prior to The Testaments, Adedijo has been featured in films such as The Voyeaurs (2021) and Humane (2024). She has also been featured in Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent.

Among the group of Aunts helping to chaperone the young women of Gilead is Aunt Gabbana. She helps to enforce discipline and lead by example for those attending Aunt Lydia’s school.

Beyond the world of Gilead, Zarrin Darnell-Martin can be seen as Rachel in Snowbound for Christmas (2019). She also played Dr. Lily in the hit television series Ginny & Georgia on Netflix.