List of The Handmaid's Tale (TV series) characters

This page provides an overview of the main and recurring characters appearing in The Handmaid's Tale, an American dystopian television series based on the 1985 novel of the same name by Margaret Atwood. The series is set in Gilead, a totalitarian society that has overthrown the United States. Character descriptions may contain spoilers for plot developments.

Main Characters:

• June Osborne/Offred/Ofjoseph/Ofwarren (Elisabeth Moss): The protagonist of the series, June is a fertile woman forced into sexual servitude as a Handmaid in Gilead. Her primary goal is to reunite with her daughter Hannah and fight against the Gilead regime.

• Commander Fred Waterford (Joseph Fiennes): A high-ranking Commander in Gilead, Fred is the head of the household where June is initially placed as a Handmaid. He is a key architect of Gilead's oppressive social order.

• Serena Joy Waterford (Yvonne Strahovski): Fred's wife, Serena Joy is an educated and articulate woman who was a prominent figure in the pre-Gilead theocratic movement. She experiences the frustration of being unable to bear children, which fuels her complex and often antagonistic relationship with June.

• Nick Blaine (Max Minghella): A Guardian of the Faith and driver for Commander Waterford, Nick develops a complex and clandestine relationship with June. His background and true allegiances remain ambiguous throughout much of the series.

• Emily Malek/Ofglen/Ofsteven/Ofjoseph (Alexis Bledel): A former university professor, Emily is a defiant Handmaid who endures horrific punishments for her transgressions against Gilead's laws. She is a key figure in the resistance movement.

• Rita Blue (Amanda Brugel): A Martha in the Waterford household, Rita provides domestic support and forms a bond with June. She represents a quiet resistance within the confines of Gilead.

• Moira Strand (Samira Wiley): June's best friend from before Gilead, Moira escapes from the Red Center and becomes a refugee in Canada. She works to support June and fight against Gilead from abroad.

• Aunt Lydia Clements (Ann Dowd): A stern and formidable Aunt, Lydia is responsible for training and indoctrinating the Handmaids at the Red Center. She is a fervent believer in Gilead's ideology and enforces its rules with ruthless efficiency.

Recurring Characters:

• Janine Lindo/Ofwarren/Ofdaniel (Madeline Brewer): Another Handmaid, Janine is emotionally vulnerable and often struggles to cope with the trauma of Gilead.

• Luke Bankole (O. T. Fagbenle): June's husband from before Gilead, Luke escapes to Canada and works tirelessly to find his wife and daughter.

• Hannah Bankole/Agnes MacKenzie (Jordana Blake): June's daughter, Hannah is taken from her and raised by a Gilead family.

• Commander Joseph Lawrence (Bradley Whitford): A mysterious and enigmatic Commander who plays a significant role in Gilead's economic structure and later aids June's resistance efforts.

• Mark Tuello (Sam Jaeger): An American government agent working from Canada to gather intelligence on Gilead.

• Commander Warren Putnam (Stephen Kunken): A high-ranking Commander and father of Janine's child.

• Naomi Putnam (Ever Carradine): Commander Putnam's wife and Janine's former mistress.

• Brianna/Ofrobert (Bahia Watson): A Handmaid and member of Mayday.

This list is not exhaustive but provides a comprehensive overview of the key individuals driving the narrative of The Handmaid's Tale.