TMDb/The Handmaid's Tale Celebrity Ann Dowd returns as Aunt Lydia in The Testaments. Explore the complex villain's journey in the Handmaid's Tale sequel series. April 6, 2026 AceShowbiz - Ann Dowd, known for her role as Aunt Lydia in The Handmaid's Tale, is set to reprise her character in the upcoming sequel series The Testaments. The original series, adapted from Margaret Atwood's novel, first aired in 2017 and followed the harrowing journey of June as she navigated the dystopian world of Gilead, separated from her family and forced into servitude.