Ann Dowd, who plays Aunt Lydia on The Handmaid's Tale, has teased whether the show will stretch beyond a fifth season.
The sci-fi series, adapted from Margaret Atwood's novel of the same name, is set in the dystopian future of Gilead — a totalitarian, fundamentalist society in what was formerly the United States.
The story centres on June/Offred (Elisabeth Moss) who, like numerous other 'Handmaids', who are subjected to child-bearing slavery for the ruling classes.
The Emmy-winning drama was renewed for a fifth season in 2020, but it remained to be seen whether the show would stretch to a sixth season... until now.
Related: Handmaid's Tale star Ann Dowd reveals unique filming of new movie Mass
Speaking to Radio Times ahead of the UK release of her upcoming film Mass, Dowd said that while she didn't know much about the plot for season 5, she did know about the future of The Handmaid’s Tale.
Related: The Handmaid's Tale season 5: Release date, cast, plot and everything you need to know
On the story, the actress admitted: "The writers are very smart. They don't tell actors anything," before adding: "What would I say about it? No, I don't have a clue at all about what will be happening. I do know that there's a season 5 and 6."
When asked when filming for the next season is due to begin, Dowd said simply: "End of January."
Dowd won an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series back in 2017 for The Handmaid's Tale, alongside her co-star Moss. The show itself won Outstanding Drama Series at that year's awards.
The Handmaid's Tale airs on Hulu in the US and Channel 4 in the UK.
Vintage Classics The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
Jonathan Cape The Handmaid's Tale: The Graphic Novel by Margaret Atwood, with art and adaptation by Renee Nault
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