Elisabeth Moss

The former Mad Men actress, 35, returns to her Emmy-winning role in the critically acclaimed Hulu series The Handmaid’s

Tale—based on Margaret Atwood’s dystopian novel—when it returns for its second season April 25.

What’s going on with your character, June/Offred, in season two?

She has this ticking time bomb, her pregnancy, that we deal with all season. In a way, it’s a beautiful thing from her love affair with Nick [Max Minghella]; but at the same time, she knows that [her child] will be taken away from her at birth.

Even though Offred’s not in a position of power, the fact that she can have a baby means she has an ability to which other women aspire.

Absolutely. What everyone wants most is a healthy child. That is going to create a bond, a link, between Serena [Yvonne Strahovski] and June that isn’t necessarily a good thing, but it’s there. June is carrying something that Serena wants very badly. I can’t say how that manifests itself, but it’s something all the characters are highly aware of the entire season.

What do fans say to you? The thing that means the most to me is that [the show] gives them strength, or bravery. This show is very dark, and those moments are distracting sometimes because they’re so brutal. But I do think that the idea is how you rise above that brutality that is grinding you down.

Your biggest challenge right now?

Getting enough sleep. I know that’s probably lame, because I have such a wonderful, privileged life. But sometimes sleep is a bit of a struggle. When I’m working, I get an average of five or six hours, so it’s not good. What’s the Handmaid’s Tale/Gilmore Girls connection? Go to Parade.com/moss to find out.