EMILY’S TURN
‘Handmaid’s Tale’ expands its scope to tell the story of Ofglen’s abandoned career
SEASON 1 of “The Handmaid’s Tale” largely concentrated on the story of Offred (Elisabeth Moss), and her life before and after the formation of Gilead. One of the pleasant — if such a word can ever be used to describe this series — aspects of the new batch of episodes is the development of Emily (Alexis Bledel), now known as Ofglen. The rebellious former university professor has been banished to the forbidding Colonies, a toxic waste dump where she will certainly die with other “Unwomen” unless she comes up with a clever escape plan. This second episode of Season 2 delves into Emily’s backstory when she was teaching in Boston — and how that all came apart when martial law went into effect.
The former “Gilmore Girls” star, 36, spoke to The Post about her decision to join the show as a regular cast member and what it felt like to win her first Emmy Award as Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series.
Why did you decide to join the series as a regular cast member?
I had a great experience working on the show in Season 1 so I was happy to dive in again. I feel the incredible challenge [of being on the show] because what I want to tackle requires a lot more focus than the work I’ve done in the past. At one point a couple of years ago I decided that was the way I was going to proceed. We learn that Emily was a professor of cellular biology at a Boston college. What was it like to play scenes where you are dressed like a normal person and lecturing students?
Giving a lecture, that was sort of Emily’s happy place where she got to shine. I think it’s interesting to see the characters in flashback thriving and enjoying their basic freedoms. It creates a stark contrast.
Marisa Tomei does a guest spot this week as a wife who is sent to the Colonies. Emily does not take kindly to her. What was it like to work with Tomei?
We had to do all of her scenes in two days. And what a different tone from seeing her other work. Her character is so conflicted. I could really feel this religious devotion her character carries yet she’s made this choice that sends her to the Colonies. My character’s become hardened and vengeful, doling out vigilante justice.
How did you feel when you won the Emmy Award?
It was a bit of a blur. I couldn’t believe I was nominated. I’m kind of shy, I think I was looking at my paper the whole time I was on stage. It was thrilling for the show to continue to win. Everyone works so hard on all shows it almost seems unfair to single one out.