AceShowbiz - The Testaments is Hulu’s latest spinoff from the acclaimed dystopian series The Handmaid's Tale, garnering impressive critical praise ahead of its official premiere on April 8, 2026. Based on Margaret Atwood’s 2019 novel of the same name, this new series continues the story several years after the conclusion of the original show, which ended after six seasons in 2025.

The series offers a fresh narrative perspective by focusing on a new generation of young women living under the oppressive regime of Gilead. It follows two teenagers, Agnes and Daisy, as they attend Aunt Lydia’s elite preparatory school designed to train future wives. Their evolving friendship becomes a central element that reshapes their destinies amid the harsh realities they face.

Early critical reception for The Testaments is highly favorable, with the show debuting at an 88% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes. Although based on only 16 reviews so far, this score positions the spinoff closely alongside some of the stronger seasons of The Handmaid's Tale. For context, the original series averaged an 83% critics score across its six seasons, with audience ratings varying between 24% and 90% depending on the season.

Here is a breakdown of Rotten Tomatoes critics and audience scores for The Handmaid’s Tale seasons compared to the new spinoff’s initial rating:

• Season 1: 94% critics / 90% audience
• Season 2: 90% critics / 83% audience
• Season 3: 82% critics / 58% audience
• Season 4: 69% critics / 41% audience
• Season 5: 80% critics / 24% audience
• Season 6: 87% critics / 43% audience
• The Testaments Season 1: 88% critics / no audience score yet

The series is once again created by Bruce Miller, who previously helmed The Handmaid's Tale. The cast features Chase Infiniti as Agnes and Lucy Halliday as Daisy, with Emmy-winning Ann Dowd reprising her role as Aunt Lydia. Additional cast members include Rowan Blanchard, Eva Foote, Kira Guloien, Amy Seimetz, Brad Alexander, Birva Pandya, Zarrin Darnell-Martin, Mattea Conforti, Shechinah Mpumlwana, Mabel Li, and Isolde Ardies.

Critics praise The Testaments for injecting "fresh blood" into the familiar dystopian world, highlighting the younger cast’s compelling performances that bring renewed emotional depth and urgency. The storytelling expands on the resistance narrative without merely retreading old ground, offering a partial reinvention of the original series’ themes.

However, some reviewers note that the spinoff remains closely tied to its predecessor, sometimes feeling more like an extended continuation than a completely distinct series. While this connection may risk narrative repetition, many find the show addictive and timely in its exploration of oppression and resilience.

The Testaments is set to premiere its first three episodes on April 8, followed by weekly releases of the remaining seven episodes every Wednesday through May 27. The series carries a TV-MA rating and blends elements of drama and science fiction, continuing to explore the chilling realities of life under Gilead’s regime.

As the audience reviews begin to accumulate after its launch, it will be interesting to observe how viewers respond compared to critics, especially given the original series’ fluctuating audience scores over its run. For now, the strong critical response positions The Testaments as a promising addition to the expanding The Handmaid's Tale universe.