The Handmaid's Tale: Comparing the Book and the TV Series

Summary

This video compares Margaret Atwood’s novel The Handmaid’s Tale with its television adaptation, noting that season one largely follows the book while introducing key changes—most notably revealing Offred’s real name, June, which signals a bolder, more rebellious protagonist. The series modernizes the world by diversifying characters’ races, casting younger, more ambitious Waterfords, and expanding the roles of Aunt Lydia, Nick, and Luke. After the novel’s endpoint, the show forges its own path across additional seasons (with Atwood’s input), emphasizing rebellion and systemic change. The piece concludes by inviting viewer reactions to the adaptation’s alterations.

Takeaways

• 📺 The Handmaid's Tale TV series has been both a commercial and critical success, attracting fans of the book and new viewers alike.
• 📘 The first season of the show closely follows the events of Margaret Atwood's original novel, with only minor adjustments.
• 🧕 One major change in the series is revealing Offred's real name, June, early on, while the book keeps her name hidden to emphasize conformity.
• 🔥 June’s character in the show is portrayed as more rebellious compared to her more cautious book counterpart.
• 🏠 The Waterfords, the main antagonists in both versions, are depicted as younger in the show, shifting their motivations toward ambition and power.
• 💥 The younger ages of Serena and the Commander intensify the tension between June and Serena, adding new layers to their dynamic.
• ✊ The book implies that Gilead is a racially homogeneous, white supremacist society, whereas the show includes characters of color for a more modern and inclusive representation.
• 🎬 After season one, the TV series diverges from the book, expanding the story beyond the novel’s conclusion.
• 🧩 Supporting characters like Aunt Lydia, Nick, and Luke are given more depth and screen time in the show, enriching the world-building.
• 🖋️ Margaret Atwood, the original author, was involved in developing the new storylines beyond the first season.
• 🌍 The series emphasizes themes of rebellion and systemic change more heavily than the novel due to its extended narrative time.
• 🏁 The upcoming final season will conclude the show’s expanded storyline, and fans are encouraged to share their thoughts on the adaptation.

Q & A

How does the TV series adaptation of *The Handmaid's Tale* compare to the original book?

The first season of the series stays mostly true to the events of the novel with only minor adjustments. However, after the first season, the show takes its own direction, expanding on characters and themes beyond the book.

What was one of the first changes made in the TV series compared to the book?

The TV series reveals Offred's real name, June, in the first episode, while in the novel, her real name is never disclosed, emphasizing her conformity within Gilead.

How does the reveal of Offred's real name in the TV series impact her character?

The reveal of June's real name signifies her more rebellious character in the series, as opposed to the more cautious and passive portrayal of Offred in the book.

How are the Waterfords portrayed differently in the TV series compared to the novel?

In the TV series, the Waterfords are depicted as much younger, which shifts their motivations to being more ego-driven and power-hungry, rather than already being established leaders as in the book.

What impact does the younger age of the Waterfords have on their relationship with June?

The age difference between June and Serena is reduced in the series, making Serena more wary of June and the Commander’s relationship, amplifying the tension between the two characters.

How does the representation of race differ between the novel and the TV series?

In the novel, Gilead is a racially homogenous, white supremacist society with no characters of color. However, the TV series introduces characters of color, reflecting a more modernized and inclusive update while still maintaining the core world-building of Gilead.

What changes were made to the storyline after the first season of the series?

After the first season, the show expands on the themes of rebellion and systemic change, introducing more developed side characters and allowing June’s story to continue beyond the conclusion of the novel.

How do side characters like Aunt Lydia, Nick, and Luke evolve in the TV series compared to the book?

In the TV series, characters like Aunt Lydia, Nick, and Luke are given more prominence, allowing for greater exploration of their personalities and motivations, enriching the world of *The Handmaid's Tale* beyond the main plot of the novel.

What is the primary reason June’s story continues beyond the end of the book in the TV series?

The TV series was meant to continue for multiple seasons, so June’s story had to evolve beyond the book’s conclusion. This allowed for further character development and exploration of new themes, with the author Margaret Atwood involved in shaping the direction.

How did the involvement of Margaret Atwood influence the direction of the TV series after the first season?

Margaret Atwood collaborated with the series creators, especially for seasons beyond the first, helping to create new content and ensure that the expanded narrative remained true to the themes and spirit of the original novel.