The Testaments Star Reveals Hidden Challenge of Gilead's Restrictive Costumes
In an exclusive interview, rising actress Birva Pandya has opened up about one of the most significant yet subtle challenges faced by the cast of The Testaments, the highly anticipated sequel series to The Handmaid's Tale. Pandya, who portrays the character Miriam, disclosed that the conservative costumes worn by women in the dystopian world of Gilead are far more restrictive than they appear on screen.
Stepping into the World of Gilead
Pandya features in the Hulu and Disney+ series, which is set several years after the events of the final installment of The Handmaid's Tale, based on Margaret Atwood's novels. She joins a stellar cast including Chase Infiniti as Agnes, Rowan Blanchard as Shunammite, Lucy Halliday as Daisy, and Ann Dowd reprising her role as Aunt Lydia.
Speaking about the series, Pandya teased the gripping tone, noting she couldn't put down the scripts once they arrived. "I think, for all the characters, there seemed to be a cliffhanger at the end of the episodes of what's going to happen now," she revealed. "I found myself surprised almost every single time because it wasn't heading in the direction that I envisioned. You really never know where this world is going to take these girls."
Miriam's Tense Journey
Her character, Miriam, is a quiet but determined student enrolled at Aunt Lydia's elite preparatory school for future wives. While focused on finding a husband among Gilead's senior officials, the arrival of rebellious newcomer Daisy challenges the girls' sheltered worldview.
"For Miriam, her arc in the season is really tense and quite sad in a way," Pandya explained. "She's seen one thing that she's been chasing her entire life, her one true purpose is to be a wife and find the most powerful husband she can for herself to gain the most agency over her life. So, when that idea comes crashing down right in front of her, it's like she doesn't know what to do with herself, she doesn't know what to turn to."
The Physical Restriction of Costumes
Pandya highlighted that the iconic cloaks and gowns, now in regal purple for Lydia's unmarried students, were a key part of the actors' immersion into their roles. "The costumes are such a big part of the show," she said. "And that was kind of the first step into stepping into these characters. Even at the fitting, everything was so meticulous and the uniforms look so perfect. You wouldn't think it but they kind of are restrictive, especially when you're in them for so long."
She described how the outfits affected the cast physically during long shooting days. "You start to feel tense in your shoulders, and your neck and your body," Pandya recalled. "And I think that is all very purposeful. It was such a small part of it but it really helped." This physical restriction mirrored the oppressive nature of Gilead, where women are stripped of basic rights, adding authenticity to performances.
Purposeful Design and Performance
Costume designer Leslie Kavanagh played a crucial role in setting the tone, ensuring the cast looked poised and presentable as examples of the regime. While comfort is important on set, the restrictive nature of the costumes served a deliberate artistic purpose, enhancing the actors' portrayal of tension and control within Gilead's society.
The Testaments continues to air on Disney+, offering fans a deeper dive into Atwood's bleak vision of the future, with Pandya's insights shedding light on the behind-the-scenes efforts that bring this world to life.
