The sixth and final series of The Handmaid’s Tale sees June Osborne, played by Elisabeth Moss, ramping up her fight against the oppressive regime of Gilead.
Bradley Whitford is back in the popular Hulu and Channel 4 show as Commander Joseph Lawrence, introducing his latest concept: New Bethlehem, in the much-anticipated series.
This new settlement is a warped attempt at reform – a propaganda tool designed to lure defectors back under the pretence of mercy and peace. “Lawrence envisions it as an economic engine,” Bradley reveals.
For June, who has managed to escape to Canada with her daughter Nichole, the stakes have never been higher. She now faces the daunting task of dismantling Gilead from the outside.
Her struggle reflects real-world fights for body autonomy and gender rights – issues that have become increasingly pressing since the show first aired.
“After Roe V Wade was overturned, states began to deny pregnant rape victims in the United States access to abortion care,” Bradley shares.
“They’re forced to carry to term the child of their rapist. It’s very important to put blood, sweat and tears into issues like this, but it’s clearly not enough. You have to do more.”
He believes this is what makes The Handmaid’s Tale so crucial. “I know Margaret Atwood and she wondered herself if the premise of her book was just too extreme to be believable,” Bradley says. “But it certainly seems like the book resonated.”
Despite the gripping darkness of the show, Bradley believes it’s ultimately about perseverance and struggle. He shared, “June embodies an important message during difficult times – that despair is a luxury our children can’t afford and action is the antidote.”
Elisabeth Moss isn’t just stirring the pot on-screen as June; off-camera, she’s igniting change too. With the final season of the hit series underway, adapted from Margaret Atwood’s novel, Elisabeth, at 42 years, is ready to wear two hats – directing four episodes even as she continues her role as the fiercely determined lead.
Bradley Whitford, portraying the intricate Commander Joseph Lawrence, praised her direction, saying, “Lizzie is an incredible director,” and “I can’t have a better exchange than with a director like Lizzie, who knows she can tell me anything.”
Having directed some episodes in season four and five, Season six sees Elisabeth’s most substantial participation yet. It seems only natural for someone who has become synonymous with the series’ success, not just on-screen but also as an executive producer.
Bradley reflects on his long association with Elisabeth, considering their joint work to be serendipitous. Reminiscing about her earlier days, he added, “I remember her at 17, back on The West Wing,” and marveled, “Now, two decades later, she has become the centre of this show, demonstrating an incredible work ethic I’ve never seen before.”
Their off-screen camaraderie is a stark contrast to their on-screen drama. When the Commander first stepped onto the scene at the series two finale, viewers were captivated by his dark and morally grey persona.
As time went on, an unexpected partnership emerged. Bradley shared, “Although the relationship starts with a condescending power dynamic, she ultimately inspires him and takes on a leadership role,” adding that “It’s been fun to play.”
As one of Gilead’s architects, Commander Lawrence began to see the damage caused by his regime. Revealing his character’s journey, Bradley said, “He saw these religious wackos as a delivery system for his ideas, and he justified it,” noting, “He always had that scepticism about them. It didn’t hit home until he realised it destroyed his wife, who he adored. Sadly, he only understands the cost of suffering when it hits him directly.”
Commander Lawrence’s complexity made him instantly notable. Reflecting on the role, Bradley remarked, “I’ve had a lot of lucky acting experiences, but this is a fascinating character,” and confessed, “He was always morally ambiguous. I was worried about where he would end up on that spectrum. But having more than one thing going on at a time is the key to the most interesting acting experience.”