In the latest episode of Hulu's The Testaments, titled "Stadium," viewers get a harrowing look at Aunt Lydia's past—and it's not for the faint of heart. The episode, which serves as a deep dive into the character's origins, reveals the traumatic events that forged Lydia into the ruthless survivor fans have come to know. Ann Dowd, who has portrayed Aunt Lydia since The Handmaid's Tale, sat down with Collider to unpack the shocking revelations and what they mean for her character's future.
The Trauma That Shaped Aunt Lydia
Episode 6 takes us back to Lydia's life as a teacher before Gilead's rise. The episode's centerpiece is a stadium scene where Lydia and her colleague Vidala (Mabel Li) witness the brutal transformation of their world. Dowd explains that this moment was pivotal: "Being in the stadium deeply traumatizes the teachers and cements Lydia's ruthless survival instincts." It's here that Lydia realizes she must seize control of her own fate if she wants to survive in Gilead's oppressive regime.
Dowd notes that the shared trauma between Lydia and Vidala creates an irreparable rift. "There really is no way to ever fully mend what's happened between them," she says. The episode also reveals that Lydia has been secretly recording Gilead's darkest secrets, hinting at a quiet plan to bring the regime down from within.
Ann Dowd on Aunt Lydia's Evolution
For Dowd, exploring Lydia's backstory was a revelation. "It was very interesting to explore that," she says of the character's kinder, gentler side in The Testaments. After six seasons of The Handmaid's Tale, Dowd was eager to understand how Lydia transformed from a ruthless enforcer into a more nuanced figure. "The biggest change was that she's gentler and kinder," Dowd explains. "Figuring out how she became that person and what she did between the end of The Handmaid's Tale and the beginning of The Testaments was fascinating."
Dowd also reflects on her initial approach to the character, drawing from her own education by Catholic sisters. "One of the most important rules for an actor is no judgment," she says. "I was not judging her, calling her a villain, or saying that she's evil. That's not how I experienced her at all." Instead, Dowd focused on Lydia's work ethic and determination, qualities she saw in her own teachers. "They ingrained in you not to think, for one moment, that you're any better than anybody else because you're not. You have a job to do, and you better do it well."
Working with a New Generation of Actors
Dowd also shares her experience working with the younger cast of The Testaments. While she misses her Handmaid's Tale colleagues, she praises the new ensemble. "This group is just terrific. It's been such a pleasure working with them, watching them work, and watching them in between shots. They'd be laughing and gossiping and giggling like sweet girls. Their acting is perfect."
The actress also reveals her reaction to seeing the Aunt Lydia statue featured in the series. "I just thought..." she trails off, still visibly moved. The statue, which appears in the show, symbolizes Lydia's complicated legacy within Gilead.
What's Next for Aunt Lydia?
As The Testaments continues, Dowd hints that Lydia's secret recordings could be the key to Gilead's downfall. "She wants to shut Gilead down," Dowd confirms. With her traumatic past now fully exposed, Lydia's motivations are clearer than ever. Whether she can succeed remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Aunt Lydia is playing a long game, and she's not done yet.
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