The Handmaid’s Tale returns to downtown Cambridge for filming

CAMBRIDGE — Filming for the popular series “The Handmaid’s Tale” took over the streets in downtown Galt’s Queen’s Square again Tuesday morning, with the show’s signature red coat costumes featured prominently on the set.

Much of the downtown core was closed to traffic and pedestrians for the start of filming Tuesday morning and many Main Street and Queen’s Square stores were closed to the public. In fact, the exterior of some shops, including the Grand Café, were completely transformed to help create a war-zone-like atmosphere. Stores closed for filming receive compensation for the closure.

Special effects are expected as part of the filming, including smoke and “graphic depictions of human mortality.” Filming could see up to 400 people on set for some scenes, according to film notices posted on the city’s website at www.cambridge.ca.

“The Handmaid’s Tale,” based on the book by Margaret Atwood, has been turned into an award-winning television series.

When filming in Cambridge, the project often goes under the alias “The Rocket Woman.” The banks of the Grand River have been featured in many of the show’s scenes.

Filming of “The Handmaid’s Tale” is expected to continue Wednesday.

It’s one of numerous projects currently being filmed in Cambridge

DAVID BEBEE WATERLOO REGION RECORD Actors dressed in the show’s signature red cloaks cross a parking lot in front of Wesley United Church in Cambridge.

DAVID BEBEE WATERLOO REGION RECORD A film crew gets ready to shoot a scene for the Hulu television series “The Handmaid's Tale” outside Cambridge City Hall on Tuesday.