Hulu has given a straight-to-series order to a show based on Margaret Atwood's novel The Handmaid's Tale, Indiewire reported. The project is being adapted by Bruce Miller (CW's The 100) and stars Elisabeth Moss (Mad Men, Top of the Lake). There was a 1990 film adaptation starring Natasha Richardson, with a script by Tom Stoppard.
The novel "is actually well-built for this, because while it does have an ending, it's relatively open-ended," Indiewire noted. "And while the series is (as the title might suggest) one woman's story, it takes place within a much larger universe--one aimed directly at attacking the oppression of women on a micro and macro level.... and if the execution of Handmaid's Tale proves compelling, it's hard to imagine that awards won't be on the table. Handmaid's Tale won't premiere until 2017, but this is the exact sort of ballsy move necessary to stand out in the television world. Consider this one at the top of our most anticipated list."
