By Andrea Robinson

Titan, out now

All you could want to know about the making of the Hulu series.

The Handmaid’s Tale is definitely not one of those series that you watch for a light, fluffy piece of escapism to get away from the turmoil of your day. It’s tough viewing, putting the viewer at the heart of the mental and physical torture that at is at the heart of Gilead – a place that it’s a cliché to say we’re approaching more every day, but which is certainly far less “out there” than it was when Margaret Atwood first wrote the book.

As is clear from Andrea Robinson’s very well written and presented volume, the show is a huge undertaking, and in the tradition of Titan’s making-of guides, stretching back to Farscape nearly 20 years ago, she has gained contributions from people on both sides of the camera, and shone a spotlight on areas that might not otherwise gain as much attention. The logic behind plot decisions (particularly going into the second season) is revealed, and you can tell the toll that making this show has had on those involved.

It’s lavishly illustrated, with plenty of behind the scenes material and I suspect will be something that fans of the series will devour and then refer back to as they rewatch.

Verdict: An excellent account of a harrowing show. 9/10

Paul Simpson

 

THE HANDMAID’S TALE © 2017 – 2019 MGM Television Entertainment Inc. and Relentless Productions, LLC. THE HANDMAID’S TALE is a trademark of Metro Goldwyn Mayer Studios Inc. © 2019 Metro Goldwyn Mayer Studios Inc. All Rights Reserved.