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Handmaid's Tale Watch Order
The Handmaid's Tale universe on screen is two shows: The Handmaid's Tale (2017-2025, six seasons, concluded) and its sequel The Testaments (2026, renewed for season 2). Watch them in that order; the novels are optional and follow a different canon.
Handmaid's Tale Watch Order: complete list
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Why this order?
The screen order is simple: The Handmaid's Tale first, all six seasons through its May 2025 series finale, then The Testaments, which premiered on Hulu in April 2026 and was renewed for a second season within weeks. The Testaments is a true sequel, set years after the original series and built on the fates the finale leaves in place, so watching it first spoils the destination of June's whole story.
The more interesting question is where the books fit, because this universe runs on two diverging canons. Margaret Atwood's 1985 novel covers roughly the ground of the show's first season, after which the series strikes out on its own; her 2019 sequel novel The Testaments follows the book's continuity, not the show's. The TV Testaments adapts the novel's premise and characters onto the series' canon instead. Practical upshot: read the books for Atwood's endings, watch the shows for the shows', and do not expect the two to reconcile. Neither requires the other.
Completists can also hunt down the 1990 feature film with Natasha Richardson, an adaptation of the first novel that predates the series entirely; it is a curiosity, not a prerequisite. Start with the series, follow with The Testaments, and you have the complete on-screen story, with season 2 of The Testaments expected in 2027.
How many episodes is The Handmaid's Tale?
The Handmaid's Tale has 76 episodes across the 2 series entries tracked in this guide.
- The Handmaid's Tale 66 episodes 2017-2025
- The Testaments 10 episodes 2026
Timeline 2017-2026
Every entry by release year: rows that share a year are a cluster, and the long droughts are called out on the rail.
- 2017 Handmaid's Tale
- 9-year gap
- 2026 Testaments
Where to play it today
- Both shows stream on Hulu in the US (The Testaments is a Hulu original)
- Internationally the shows appear on regional services; check JustWatch for your region
Availability changes often and varies by region - links search each platform for The Handmaid's Tale.
Frequently asked questions
How many Handmaid's Tale shows are there?
Two: The Handmaid's Tale (2017-2025, six seasons, concluded) and The Testaments (premiered April 8, 2026, renewed for a second season expected in 2027).
What order should I watch The Handmaid's Tale and The Testaments in?
The Handmaid's Tale first, then The Testaments. The sequel is set years later and is built on the original's finale, so watching it first spoils the destination of June's story.
Do I need to read the books first?
No. Atwood's 1985 novel covers roughly the show's first season before the series diverges, and her 2019 sequel novel follows the book's continuity rather than the show's. The books and the shows are parallel canons; enjoy either without the other.
Is The Testaments a sequel to The Handmaid's Tale?
Yes: it is set years after the original series, adapting Margaret Atwood's 2019 novel onto the show's canon, with a new generation at its center alongside returning threads from the finale.
What is the 1990 Handmaid's Tale film?
A standalone feature adaptation of the first novel, starring Natasha Richardson, made decades before the series. It shares no canon with the shows and is strictly a curiosity.
When does The Testaments season 2 air?
It was renewed in May 2026, weeks after the season 1 premiere, with the second season expected in 2027. We will fill in its episodes as they are announced.
How many episodes is The Handmaid's Tale?
The Handmaid's Tale has 76 episodes across the 2 series entries tracked in this guide.
Last verified · Sources: en.wikipedia.org, Wikidata
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