SEASON 4 of The Handmaid’s Tale has just started in the UK and fans of the dystopian drama can’t wait to find out what happens to lead character June Osborne.
But where is the show filmed? Here’s everything you need to know.
Where is The Handmaid’s Tale set?
The Handmaid’s Tale is based on the 1985 novel of the same name by Margaret Atwood and is set in a dystopian society called Gilead, which used to be part of the United States.
The events in the series take place in what used to be Boston, Massachusetts.
In both the show and the book, the US Government was overthrown by religious Christian fundamentalists years after widespread infertility sweeps across the globe.
Most of the series is set in and around the home of Fred and Serena Joy Waterford, played by Joseph Fiennes and Yvonne Strahovski.
In the book, the setting is described as like a ‘museum’.
Where is The Handmaid’s Tale filmed?
Despite being set in the US, the Handmaid’s Tale is shot in various locations throughout Ontario, Canada.
The three main locations are Toronto, Hamilton and Cambridge.
Others include Mississauga, Brantford, Burlington and Oakville.
But not all of the show is filmed in Canada, with the US capital Washington DC being used for the occasional scene.
In one famous scene in season 2, the handmaids are gathered at Boston’s Fenway Park to be executed.
But the production didn’t actually use the famous stadium, opting for the Bernie Arbour Stadium in Hamilton.
They chose the lesser-known arena in Canada because they needed the grass to be long, as if it hadn’t been used for years.
Speaking to SyFy Wire, Colin Watkinson, a member of the production team said:”When you read that in the script, you go, ‘Wow. Okay. Fenway Park. How do we do that?'”
Toronto
The capital of Ontario is where a lot of The Handmaid’s Tale is filmed.
Toronto City Hall is one of the more prominent locations in the series.
Various streets and building in Toronto are used to replicate the Boston skyline.
Hamilton
Many iconic scenes from The Handmaid’s Tale were shot in Hamilton.
The Waterford’s House is located in the city and, in real life, is know as the Grand Durand on Aberdeen Avenue.
It is believed many of the grand homes that the commanders live in are based in Hamilton.
Cambridge
The wall by the water, where the Handmaids are hanged, is located in Cambridge.
Various other locations in the city are used, such as the iconic bridge and a local cafe.
Cambridge was nominated for an ‘Outstanding Film Office’ for the city’s work on the TV series.
When is season four of The Handmaid’s Tale released in the UK?
Season 4 will begin airing on Channel 4 on June 20, 2021 at 9pm.
It continues at the same time each week.
If you miss an episode, you can catch up on 4OD here.
