Elisabeth Moss Thinks The Handmaid’s Tale’s Final Scene Is “Honestly Perfection”

It wasn’t my thought to have [Holly] come again, however there used to be a leaning into that, or an exploration of that tale, that changed into very distinguished. It used to be my thought to verify she got here again [in person], as it used to be meant to be a telephone in episode 10 [where they reconnect].

For me, this season is set motherhood in a wide variety of the way—the motherhood that Aunt Lydia provides to her women, the generosity of arranging for Naomi to offer Charlotte again to Janine. Naomi turns into a mom when she [does that]. There are such a lot of other ways in which you’ll be able to be a mum or dad, or a parental determine, or a mom determine.

It used to be an enchanting option to make Ann Dowd’s Aunt Lydia sympathetic in any case. Though I assume that used to be important, making an allowance for the storyline of The Testaments.

Yes. Margaret wrote The Testaments, and there have been a few issues in that sequel that we then must apply. One of them is Hannah now not getting out, and the opposite is that this flip for Lydia. Now, I will be able to say that Margaret wrote it once we began filming [the first season], and I do know Lydia could be very merciless, and there’s so much to not forgive. But I do suppose there are components of Ann’s efficiency at first of this display that permits for the opportunity of making that flip. Any excellent actor will ship a multidimensional efficiency, and any excellent actor will just remember to see each side of one thing. Like Yvonne [Strahovski] has too.

And you’re running on The Testaments, sure?

Yes. I’m an govt manufacturer—been generating it from the start. But somewhat factor known as The Handmaid’s Tale were given in the best way.

Right. Not most effective did you produce this display and celebrity in it, however you additionally directed the primary two and the closing two episodes of this season—all whilst being a brand new mother. Why?

[Laughs] That’s a query from a brand new mother, that’s needless to say! Out of all the interviews I’ve executed for months and months and months now, you’re the primary particular person to invite why. So I recognize that. Thank you.

Going again [to work] at 3 months [postpartum] used to be now not simple. But how do I put this? There used to be no manner I used to be going to forestall any of the ones paths, actually. And all of them came about on the identical time. This display isn’t a task for me—it’s been my lifestyles for the previous 9 years. I had this chance to direct, and be an enormous a part of it otherwise than generating or performing. Directing is simply other than the rest. And I used to be fortunate sufficient to be requested to do it. I knew I’d remorseful about it if I mentioned no.

Absolutely no a part of me goes to mention it used to be simple, despite the fact that after all I will be able to additionally say I come from an overly privileged place of getting numerous assist—there are girls who do much more with so much much less, and I’m in awe of the ones girls. But that mentioned, it wasn’t a stroll within the park. Part of my idea procedure used to be that during some way, it’s very meta of the display. And this ultimate season could be very meta, and the closing episode could be very meta. June has to choose to do one thing that she appears like is the most efficient factor for her kids. And in a small manner, I am hoping someday my daughter watches, and I am hoping that she’s proud [of me]. Like, “Look what my mom did when I was just a few months old.” I am hoping that it’s an instance for her of the facility of womanhood, and of being a running mother and the way implausible this is. Looking again, I’m like, Wow, I will be able to’t imagine I did that. But I’m satisfied I did. I haven’t any regrets.