The Testaments TV Show Makes Key Changes To The Book – 7 Differences Explained
In the novel, Aunt Lydia’s backstory reveals that she worked as a judge before Gilead’s rise to power. However, in season three of The Handmaid’s Tale, she is depicted as a former teacher. To maintain continuity with the show, The Testaments TV series retains the teacher backstory in flashback sequences, ensuring a consistent narrative across both series.In the novel, Agnes is raised by Commander Kyle and his wife Tabitha, who later dies from illness. After Tabitha’s death, Kyle marries Paula, a woman who has also lost her partner.The TV adaptation adjusts this timeline. When we first meet Agnes, Tabitha has already passed, and we see her largely through Agnes’s memories. Paula is introduced immediately, stepping into the role of stepmother.In both book and show, Paula’s disdain for Agnes is unmistakable — she openly expresses her hostility, making life difficult for her stepdaughter.Read MoreThere are some new (and familiar) faces in Gilead.The character of Aunt VidalaAunt Vidala appears in both The Testaments book and TV series as a stern disciplinarian and heir-apparent within Gilead’s women’s hierarchy. A devoted enforcer of the regime’s rules and traditions, she carries out her duties with unwavering authority.In the novel, Vidala was an early supporter of Gilead, even before its official takeover. She personally selected Lydia and other women to become Aunts under Commander Judd’s supervision.©Hulu/Courtesy Everett CollectionIn the TV adaptation, however, Mabel Li’s version of Vidala did not support Gilead in its early days. Her arrival appears closely intertwined with Aunt Lydia’s story, and we’ll learn more about her backstory as the season unfolds.Daisy's arrival and true identityWe go into more detail about Daisy's identity elsewhere, but here’s a quick recap on the character, played by Lucy Halliday.Read MoreAnything can happen now.In both the book and TV show, Daisy is one of The Testaments’ three narrators, alongside Agnes and Aunt Lydia. Her backstory is largely consistent: she grew up in Toronto until her parents were killed for secretly working with Mayday against Gilead. Her mission remains the same, too — infiltrating Gilead as a spy to help Mayday take down the regime and seek justice for her parents.
