The level of attention and care with which people have watched has really been amazing.
Its amazing how much people are finding that they can relate to their lives.
Im glad people find it relevant.
Credit: George Kraychyk/Hulu
Before that, I didnt really think about actors.
It doesnt help me as I write.
Now I cant think of anybody else in the world.
Why?For me, its the range in the previous roles shes taken.
The vast difference between Peggy (inMad Men) and her part in Jane CampionsTop of the Lake.
She has such a long resume and the parts are all very complicated and different than each other.
Thats what attracts you to someones skill.
But to see her face, and how complicated her emotional life can be reflected in her face.
It relies a lot on the faces and the eyes of the character.
Shes much better at it than I am.
And there are so many things that are different inThe Handmaids Talethat it makes it even easier to dismiss.
Ann Crabtree and her costume designers did an amazing job.
They also individualized each costume.
I know from the outside they all look the same, but they are slightly changed.
So we did that as well.
Going down to the width of the obi belts, to the spats on their shoes.
They all express themselves through their clothes.
The wardrobe is a good example is how we were obsessive with detail.
The shoes have no laces because that would be dangerous.
Shoes, socks, underwear are all thought out.
Lets dig a little deeper into episode 4.
What were the challenges of creating that scene?It wasnt in the book but it always fascinated me.
It seems so malicious and horrific.
Repression is really not sustainable.
These are also the small moments of hope that helped me get through the episode.
Repression is really not sustainable.
Sometimes I think the most American trait of all is stubbornness.
She does it in a lot of different ways in this episode.
She gets out of her room when it doesnt look like anybody is going to help her.
She prostrates herself to Serena Joy and she doesnt break.
So she uses the only lever she has, the commander.
And she uses it quite beautifully.
What I found in the book was a sisterhood between the handmaids.
But they also had a community.
It was a strange community, but Offred and her predecessor communicated with each other.
When the war crimes trials come, there will be people who remember; its not being forgotten.
To me it makes it feel more natural about how they would act in that situation.
That is born out of those little messages they scratch to each other.
They are irrepressibly in communication even when it seems they cant be.
For me, she was trying to recapture a role that had passed her by.
It certainly didnt have anything to do with the attractiveness of Serena Joy and the Commander.
That was actually a downside to make the Commander more handsome and in a sexy part of his life.
It was difficult and actually made me uncomfortable.
But Joe is so amazing and terrifying, it doesnt really matter.
And it does give him a few more dimensions, which helps us a lot.
After that, season 2 is what happens after you become a little rebellious.
We are going to stay focused on Offred and her journey through Gilead.
We arent going to stray too far from that.
Episode 5 ofThe Handmaids Talewill debut on Hulu on Wednesday.
