Young Stars of 'The Testaments' Say Dystopian Tale Is Timely
In a recent interview, the young stars of the upcoming Disney+ series The Testaments opened up about the show's production, its poignant themes, and the lively atmosphere on set. Scottish actress Lucy Halliday and American co-star Chase Infiniti discussed their roles in this adaptation of Margaret Atwood's 2019 dystopian novel, which serves as a sequel to The Handmaid's Tale.
On-Set Dynamics and Accent Challenges
Halliday, who plays Daisy, a Canadian teen navigating a repressive preparatory school in the fictional society of Gilead, revealed that maintaining a convincing Canadian accent was a key part of her performance. "Growing up in Scotland, I was always putting on fake accents around the house, mainly to annoy my mom," she said. "So while they came naturally to some degree, I still took great pains to get it right." However, she noted that some cast members, including Infiniti, playfully tried to disrupt her focus. "There were some individuals who really enjoyed trying to mess with me with the accent," Halliday admitted, with Infiniti jokingly confessing, "I'm 'some people' by the way."
A Tale of Oppression and Resilience
The Testaments explores a world controlled by fear and misogyny, where young girls are subjected to violence and forced conformity. Infiniti portrays Agnes, a privileged teen in Gilead who gradually awakens to the system's brutality. Despite the dark subject matter, the cast fostered a supportive and joyful environment. "Our entire cast and crew, I tell you, we were having the most fun," Infiniti shared. "We were so close, especially the days it was all girls. You could feel the energy of just being a girl. It was almost like it was high school in the best possible way." She emphasized that this camaraderie helped actors navigate emotionally taxing scenes, allowing them to separate fiction from reality.
Filming in Ontario and Timely Themes
The series was filmed in Ontario, wrapping production in August 2025. Both actors highlighted the story's enduring relevance, with Infiniti pointing out that Atwood's work draws from historical patterns. "Unfortunately, as a society, we have not learned from our history," she remarked. "I would hope audiences see it as a mirror to society and use the rage that they can feel from the show to change their own communities." Halliday, a longtime Atwood fan, added that the series stays true to the novel's core while expanding its narrative. "The book was definitely our primary source of motivation for our characters and stories," she said.
Premiere and Broader Context
The Testaments begins streaming on Disney+ on April 8, 2026. It joins a landscape of politically charged entertainment, such as Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another, in which Infiniti starred. The show aims to spark reflection on issues like reproductive rights and authoritarianism, resonating deeply in contemporary times. As Infiniti concluded, "It's those small bits of change you can make in your community that evolve into the bigger change we all want to see as a collective."
