Service95 Book Club With Dua Lipa Bonus Episode: The Handmaid’s Tale – Elisabeth Moss on Becoming Offred, Meeting Margaret Atwood & The Symbolism of the Handmaid’s Costume
Nov 14, 2025
Elisabeth Moss, the award-winning actor known for her role as Offred in The Handmaid's Tale, shares her fascinating journey of adapting the iconic novel. She recounts her initial reaction to reading the book and the pivotal moment of meeting Margaret Atwood, emphasizing the author's profound impact on her portrayal. Elisabeth also delves into the symbolism of the handmaid costume, showcasing how design choices transformed it into a powerful visual metaphor for resistance and solidarity. Her insights on the show's cultural relevance resonate deeply in today's society.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Reading The Book After Getting The Role
- Elisabeth Moss first read The Handmaid's Tale after she was offered the TV role despite already knowing the book's reputation.
- She was struck by the book's distinct first-person voice and wondered how it could be adapted into a multi-season series.
Power Of An Imperfect Narrator
- Moss highlights Atwood's complex voice that is funny, angry, flawed and sometimes wrong, which deepens the character of Offred.
- She aimed to preserve that imperfect, intimate perspective in the TV portrayal rather than turn June into a conventional heroine.
Intimidated Meeting With Margaret Atwood
- Moss recalls meeting Margaret Atwood at a cast dinner in Toronto and feeling intimidated by Atwood's intelligence and presence.
- She later spent more time with Atwood during press and developed a respectful, admiring relationship that informed her work.
