Why the Revelation About Josh Charles’ Character in The Handmaid’s Tale Isn’t Surprising
The Handmaid’s Tale took Serena by surprise with the reveal about Josh Charles‘ character, Commander Wharton — but it wasn’t intended to be a shock.
In the episode aired on Tuesday, May 13, Serena’s (Yvonne Strahovski) honeymoon phase with Rose’s (Carey Cox) father, Commander Wharton, ended quickly. After leaving their wedding, they arrived at Wharton’s home where everything unraveled upon his introduction of their handmaiden.
Serena was overcome with emotion as she realized Wharton was just like the other commanders in Gilead. His adherence to Gilead’s traditional roles came as a surprise to Serena — but the warnings had been present.
“Commander Wharton has been consistent all along. He hasn’t deceived Serena; he’s been honest about his feelings,” coshowrunner Yahlin Chang shared exclusively with Us Weekly regarding the alarming conclusion of Serena’s wedding night. “This leaves him baffled by Serena’s response.”
As tensions rose between Serena and Wharton, they faced an impasse in their marriage. Serena attempted to leave with her son, and Wharton briefly intervened. However, she refused to stay against her will, prompting him to relent as their future remained uncertain.
“Working with Josh Charles was a dream; he approached the character thoughtfully,” Chang remarked. “From the start, Wharton has made his character known.”
According to Chang, Wharton has been clear about his intentions, stating, “Due to his affection for Serena, he genuinely tried to be accommodating. Although he’s conservative, he expressed a desire for her to continue writing and pursue her interests.”
The conflict in the latest episode stemmed from miscommunication between the two characters.
“Wharton is mature enough to recognize that he loves a formidable woman. He fell for her strength, and in his view, having a large family — especially given Serena’s age and the fertility crisis — means needing a handmaid,” Chang elaborated. “He doesn’t grasp her aversion to this idea, as it’s ingrained in their system. If anyone was oblivious to the implications, it was Serena.”
Chang expressed excitement about the direction of Serena and Wharton’s story moving forward.
“I enjoy writing villains because it’s fascinating to explore their perspectives. Wharton was designed to be the ideal man for Serena, not her ex-husband. He’s genuinely religious and supportive of her political activism, having embraced these aspects out of love for her,” she stated.
As The Handmaid’s Tale nears its conclusion, viewers can anticipate seeing a different dimension to Wharton.
“We felt fear due to his intense moments. Josh was brilliant in how he revealed these frightening instances. He only shows cracks in his facade once or twice, but when he does, it’s chilling,” Chang shared with Us. “He doesn’t break down frequently, which adds to the terror. That unpredictability is part of what makes his performance so compelling.”
Chang concluded: “With Serena, we aim for realism; she takes one step forward and two steps back. She grapples with her past actions, looking for redemption, yet she embodies her own brand of ego and hubris, believing she was chosen by God to fulfill her vision for the world.”
New episodes of The Handmaid’s Tale premiere every Tuesday on Hulu.
