Ann Dowd on Lydia’s Surprising Choice in The Handmaid’s Tale Before the Series Finale
The Handmaid’s Tale is really making waves — particularly with Aunt Lydia’s storyline — as the series finale approaches.
In the episode aired on Tuesday, May 13, Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd) discovered that June (Elisabeth Moss) had returned to Gilead to incite a revolution. Rather than turning in June and the other handmaids seeking vengeance, Aunt Lydia chose to step back and let them pursue their revenge.
Dowd, 69, shared with Us Weekly that Aunt Lydia’s choice even surprised her.
“Honestly, I was uncertain about what to expect. She’s definitely become more compassionate, we could say. She’s evolving into a softer person,” Dowd explained regarding her character’s development. “Her love for [Madeline Brewer‘s] Janine and the other girls has changed her. The barriers she built begin to fall apart over the course of six episodes.”
Dowd reflected on needing to view the events through Aunt Lydia’s eyes, saying, “The courage they showed in participating and heeding June’s call is remarkable. Though a criminal, June brings Aunt Lydia back to how she originally dealt with her. Then June presents the harsh reality right in front of her.”
Thinking about Aunt Lydia’s journey, Dowd emphasized her connection with Janine. “She’s where she is because of her love for Janine as if she were her own daughter; she’s attentive and present.”
Dowd acknowledged that Aunt Lydia’s path wouldn’t become easier in the final two episodes, stating, “She was literally brought to her knees. Once that happens, you have to start over. There’s no turning back. She lets them go, aware of her actions. It’s a burden she struggles with. I’m sure she’s pleading for forgiveness. While she won’t deny her past, she’d do it all over again.”
Co-showrunners Yahlin Chang and Eric Tuchman also discussed how Aunt Lydia’s storyline is shaping her for the anticipated spinoff, The Testaments.
“Her choice in episode 8 feels like a natural evolution from her journey throughout the series. It intensifies as she realizes just how awful these commanders are. When June says, ‘You’ve learned things you can’t unlearn, you’ve seen things you can’t unsee,’ it refers to that,” Chang mentioned to Us in April. “Lydia thought she was a true believer but slowly understands that these commanders epitomize toxic masculinity. Thus, her decision to let them go represents yet another breakdown.”
Chang added: “In that moment, she sees no alternative but to let them go, motivated by love for Janine. She simply approaches Janine and says, ‘I’m sorry I hurt you.’”
Tuchman further elaborated on how Aunt Lydia’s narrative is only just beginning.
“We’ve been dismantling her profound denial concerning Gilead’s reality and her intentional ignorance,” he hinted. “But moving ahead, she’s made the decision to free the Handmaids. She’s now aligned with them in Gilead’s eyes. She has betrayed her responsibilities, and while I can’t reveal what unfolds for her, she’s entering uncertain territory.”
The future direction of Lydia’s story remains uncertain.
“We don’t know what lies ahead for Lydia. She could be held accountable for the massacre when the Handmaids eliminated those commanders,” he remarked. “That’s what we’ll delve into. Yet, she’s now committed to a path from which she cannot veer. She’s made a strong decision that she must face the consequences of.”
New episodes of The Handmaid’s Tale drop every Tuesday on Hulu.
