Based on Atwood’s 1985 novel, The Handmaid’s Tale explores the concubine life of Offred (played by Elisabeth Moss) as she lives under a theocratic dictatorship set in a dystopian future.
Although the original book is well-regarded as an iconic piece of feminist literature, Moss left fans baffled after she revealed that the adaptation is “not a feminist story”.
Moss said at the Tribeca Film Festival: “It’s not a feminist story, it’s a human story, because women’s rights are human rights.
“I never intended to play [Mad Men’s] Peggy as a feminist and I never expected to play Offred as a feminist,” the 34-year-old added.
Moss’ comments have sparked an outrage on Twitter, with many insisting that the show shouldn’t be anything but feminist, given it’s origin.
One posted: “‘The people hanging were men.’ ‘I didn’t play Offred as a feminist.’ I’m genuinely stunned.”
Another commented: “Bizarre Handmaid’s Tale panel at Tribeca. Cast stressing over and over again that it’s ‘not a feminist story, it’s a human story’.”
A third agreed, saying: “Feel like if there’s just one show that actors could own as feminist, it’s The Handmaid’s Tale. Instead of opposing feminist to human.”
A fourth added: “If you’ve filmed A Handmaid’s Tale as ‘not a feminist story’ you’ve done a bad job.”
Despite this, viewers in attendance of the panel were treated to a premiere of the show and revealed it was “very good”.
Express.co.uk has contacted a representative from Hulu for comment.
The Handmaid’s Tale premieres on Hulu on April 26.
Daily Express :: TV and Radio Feed
