The cast of “The Testaments,” a new Disney Plus series based on Margaret Atwood’s book, spent nearly six months in Toronto while filming. The series, which is a sequel to the acclaimed “The Handmaid’s Tale,” follows a group of young women living under the strict rules of the totalitarian Republic of Gilead. Chase Infiniti, who portrays Agnes MacKenzie, shared that her experience in the city included attending Blue Jays games and visiting local restaurants like a French diner on Queen Street and a place called the Swan.
Infiniti, along with her co-stars Ann Dowd and Lucy Halliday, engaged in various activities during their stay, including bowling outings and watching superhero movies. Halliday, who plays Daisy, detailed her fondness for Trinity Bellwoods Park, reflecting on how often she frequented the area. Dowd, who has a long history with the city from filming the predecessor series, expressed her regret for not having explored more local venues despite having lived there for seven years.
In the series, Dowd takes on the role of Aunt Lydia, an oppressive character who oversees the girls in Gilead and has no time for leisure shopping trips. Ironically, Infiniti and Halliday indicated they were not invited to join Dowd on visits to Winners, a popular retailer for bargain shoppers that Dowd fondly mentioned.
Infiniti, recognized for her breakout role in the 2023 Oscar-winning film “One Battle After Another,” is riding high on her recent nominations, which include the Golden Globes and BAFTAs, as her career continues to ascend. Her character, Agnes, serves as a narrator in the series, which takes place several years after “The Handmaid’s Tale.” In this new installment, Agnes mentors Halliday’s character Daisy, who is a “Pearl Girl” recruited to learn under Aunt Lydia.
To prepare for her role, Halliday immersed herself in Canadian culture, receiving guidance from local crew members and adopting a Canadian accent during downtime. She humorously described how she would sometimes enthusiastically ask them about local phrases, which led to moments of cultural osmosis as she embraced her surroundings.
The first three episodes of “The Testaments” are currently streaming on Disney Plus, with new episodes being released every Wednesday. The series features a return of Elisabeth Moss, who portrayed June Osborne in “The Handmaid’s Tale.” Moss’s character recruits Halliday’s Daisy to join the Mayday resistance group, creating a link between the two series.
Halliday shared her admiration for Moss, noting how she was filled with questions during their time together on set. Moss provided reassurance to the new cast members by affirming their capabilities in stepping into a beloved narrative world that had already seen much success. This affirmation was particularly significant given the high expectations carried from the original series.
In “The Testaments,” Infiniti’s character Agnes is one of the “Plum Girls,” young women who aspire to marry powerful Gilead commanders. The underlying narrative focuses on themes of lost voices and the struggle to reclaim one’s strength against conformity and control. Infiniti emphasized the importance of maintaining individual strength, especially in oppressive circumstances, and encouraged viewers to recognize that the journey of finding one’s own voice is universal.
Margaret Atwood’s influence on the series is palpable, as she draws from historical events and societal issues, reiterating that the themes presented in the series resonate within current contexts. Both Infiniti and Halliday expressed their excitement over meeting Atwood, with Halliday admitting she was overwhelmed to meet the literary icon.
This adaptation of Atwood’s work continues to examine the challenges faced by young girls in a repressive society, aiming to inspire viewers to strive for authenticity and empowerment despite external pressures. The compelling narratives presented through “The Testaments” echo the struggles for identity and voice amid challenging societal constraints.
