Following the culmination of the hugely successful first series, which has wowed critics and audience alike, Channel 4 is thrilled to announce that it will air the second series of The Handmaid’s Tale.

The best thing you’ll watch all year” – The Guardian

“It’s some of the most important TV that will be on our screens this year.” – Stylist

“Gripping.” – Daily Telegraph “

Bleak, powerful, beautiful, as though painted in sombre oils” – The Observer

“Superbly realised.” – i “

Strikingly reimagined” – The Times “A triumph of grim subjugation” – The Sunday Times

Based on the award-winning, best-selling novel of the same name by Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid’s Tale follows the story of life in the dystopia of Gilead, a totalitarian society in what was formerly part of the United States.  The series has been heralded by audiences and the media as “a real and terrible present” (The Times), “the most timely show on television” (Evening Standard) and “chillingly believable” (i).

The series has performed as Channel 4’s biggest acquisition since Homeland and attracted a current series average consolidated audience of 2.3 million viewers per episode.

The first season of the incredibly timely series The Handmaid’s Tale has garnered an impressive 13 Emmy Award nominations in the drama series, writing, and directing categories, as well as a lead actress nomination for Elisabeth Moss, and Supporting Actress in a Drama Series nominations for Ann Dowd and Samira Wiley, and a guest actress nomination for Alexis Bledel, among others.

Jay Hunt, Channel 4's Chief Creative Officer said: "The Handmaid’s Tale has been a stand out success for Channel 4. I’m delighted that audiences are also going to be able to enjoy its dark and thought provoking second season."

Starring Elisabeth Moss, Joseph Fiennes, Samira Wiley, Max Minghella, Yvonne Strahovski, O-T Fagbenle, Alexis Bledel and Ann Dowd, the series was created for television by Bruce Miller (THE 100), who serves as the series’ showrunner. The Handmaid’s Tale is executive produced by Miller, Warren Littlefield (Fargo), Daniel Wilson, Fran Sears and Ilene Chaiken. Margaret Atwood is a consulting producer for the series. The Handmaid’s Tale is produced by MGM Television and internationally distributed by MGM.