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Elisabeth Moss reunites with Gilead in 'The Testaments' opening episode
Moss reprised her iconic role as June Osbourne in premiere episode of 'The Testaments'
Fans of The Handmaid’s Tale were in for a major surprise as Elisabeth Moss reprised her iconic role as June Osbourne in the premiere episode of The Testaments.
Moss, who also serves as an executive producer on the new Hulu series, makes a brief but meaningful appearance in Episode 1 — a moment showrunner Bruce Miller says was essential to the story.
“In many respects, June is such a pivotal character… that excluding her would be unimaginable,” Miller told Deadline, emphasising Moss’ continued creative influence on the series. “Her presence as an executive producer constantly brings June to the forefront.”
Set years after the events of The Handmaid’s Tale, The Testaments expands the dystopian world first created by Margaret Atwood.
The premiere reconnects viewers with June through the perspective of Daisy, played by Lucy Halliday, in her hometown of Toronto.
In a quiet, atmospheric scene, Daisy skateboards through the city before entering a store — where June is seen watching silently as “Dreams” by The Cranberries plays in the background.
The two characters share no dialogue, yet the moment adds emotional depth to the expanding narrative.
The series also continues to explore the complex family ties central to the story. In Atwood’s sequel novel, Agnes is the name given to June and Luke’s daughter Hannah, while Daisy is revealed to be Nicole, June’s younger daughter.
However, Miller clarified that the show takes a different approach, noting Daisy is not portrayed as Nicole in this adaptation.
Halliday spoke about the experience of working alongside Moss, even briefly, praising her as a guiding force on set.
“She’s a wealth of information about Gilead, the universe, and the characters,” Halliday said, adding that Moss’ support helped ease the pressure of stepping into such a beloved world.
The premiere launched with three episodes, with new installments set to release weekly on Wednesdays via Hulu.
With Moss’ return — even in a limited capacity — The Testaments successfully bridges the past and future of Gilead, offering longtime fans a powerful reminder that June Osbourne’s story is far from over.
