Canadian now a regular on Handmaid’s Tale
TORONTO Amanda Brugel, the lone Canadian cast member in season 1 of The Handmaid’s Tale, has been promoted to series regular for the second season.
Brugel, from Pointe Claire, Que., plays Rita in the series that’s based on Toronto author Margaret Atwood’s 1985 novel. Brugel’s other credits include Kim’s Convenience, Eyewitness and Orphan Black.
Her character in The Handmaid’s Tale is a household servant known as a Martha and becomes close with main character Offred, played by Elisabeth Moss.
The story is set in a male-dominated, totalitarian society ruled by a fundamentalist regime that treats women as property of the state. Offred is one of the “handmaids” forced to bear children for a commander and his infertile wife.
Joseph Fiennes plays Offred’s commander alongside his wife Serena Joy, played by Yvonne Strahovski.
The cast also includes Samira Wiley of Orange Is the New Black, Alexis Bledel of Gilmore Girls and Max Minghella of The Social Network.
The Toronto-shot Hulu series airs on Bravo in Canada and was renewed for a second season in May.
The entire first season also launched on Bell Media’s streaming service CraveTV in the spring.
The Handmaid’s Tale recently earned 13 Emmy Award nominations, including best drama series.