Latest news with #Jezebel's
Elle
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Elle
Madeline Brewer Is ‘Very Happy' With Janine's Ending in 'The Handmaid's Tale'
Major spoilers below. If there was any character that The Handmaid's Tale fans were praying would get a happy ending in the series finale, it was Janine, the feisty, and at times delusional, handmaid played by Madeline Brewer. Like all those forced to don red in Gilead, Janine has been through hell and back, but season 6 was particularly brutal: Throughout the show's last 10 episodes, viewers find out that Janine has been forced into a life of sex work at Jezebel's. When Commander Wharton (Josh Charles) then shuts down the brothel, Janine watches as her friends get violently murdered, and she gets reassigned to be a handmaid for the abusive and obsessive Commander Bell (Timothy Simons). Even after Mayday retakes the city of Boston, and Bell is murdered, Janine is still trapped in Gilead—until one night when she's delivered across the border and into June's (Elisabeth Moss) arms. Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd) and Naomi Lawrence née Putnam (Ever Carradine) appear soon after, finally ready to give Janine her daughter, Charlotte, back. 'I know [fans] are [getting] what they've been asking for, and insisting upon, for seasons and seasons now,' Brewer tells ELLE of the emotional reunion. 'Every time I post anything about Handmaid's, [the comments are] like, 'I just need her to get into Canada with Charlotte.'' Below, the actress gives her full thoughts on Janine's resolution, filming the episode's dream karaoke sequence (featuring a few deceased characters), and the parallels between Handmaid's Tale and Brewer's other talked-about series, You. I was just saying earlier today that I was like, I'm ready, I'm ready, I'm ready. And now that the final episode is [airing], I'm like, No, I'm not ready for it to be over. It is just always a little bit anxiety-inducing to meet the end of a very major chapter of your life. I've been really proud since season been allowed to evolve. They didn't try to keep her as the crazy, screw-loose [handmaid], a little bit of almost comic relief at times. They allowed her to become more fully grounded between season 4 and season 6. So, season 6 has been especially gratifying to me as an actor. Janine is grounded. She has a purpose, but she's willing at the drop of a hat to help her friends. No, I don't have any say in anything. But one of our writers told me in season 4, 'We're not killing you. It's just not going to happen. I think that's something we've pretty firmly decided will not happen.' So, I was like, I wonder how this will end then. I found out reading the script. Lizzie [Moss] had said something to me during season 6, something like, 'I think you'll be very happy with where you end up.' And I am. I'm very happy with where Janine lands and with whom she lands. It's just such a beautiful moment of these four women—Naomi, Lydia, Janine, and June—and the sacrifices that they've all made. I've called it a quiet ending, because it's so peaceful for me. It's not chaotic and bombs going off and a plane blowing up. It's such a beautifully peaceful, quiet, earned ending for a character who has been through so much. And she's the one that you'd think is going to go out with a real bang and a real fight. I'm so glad that she just gets to quietly go into the next phase of her life. I never really allowed myself to do that, because I think part of me, despite what they told me, thought Janine would die in Gilead, maybe in the fight or something...I'm glad that I just let it be. And I trust our writers. I think with all of the chaos of what happens in the days prior, and some of the things Serena has been saying to Naomi, it really cuts to the core that Naomi is a mother. She's been a mother to this girl. Especially seeing [Commander] Lawrence with Charlotte, I think it just changes something for her. Because when we think about the timeline, Naomi would've been raised to read books and to form her own opinions. And regardless of what she believes in this patriarchal structure, I think she wants her daughter to know how to read. I think she wants her to know how to form her own opinions and experience the most out of life, and she knows it's not going to happen in Gilead. It's a really beautiful sacrifice that Naomi makes where she, for the first time it seems, casts aside her own ego and her own hatred of these handmaids, and puts the life and happiness of her daughter [first]. Oh, it was beautiful. Nina [Kiri, who plays Alma, who died in season 4] and Bahia [Watson, who plays Brianna, who also died in season 4] are two of my closest friends, so to have them back, to see Alexis [Bledel, who plays Emily] after so many was a beautiful moment. It was bittersweet, which is how I think we've all described the ending. But that is a callback to season 1 where I'm on the bridge, and June is trying to get Janine to come down, and she's like, 'We could drink margaritas and do karaoke.' It's such a beautiful callback to their friendship and the way these women have saved each other, repeatedly, and in a different world, in a different time, they could have been was really nice to just think about what could have been. It was also a beautiful goodbye for all of us. I think that's really what they wanted. To say: Our final image of these women together is not going to be in strife. Let's remember them as what they could have been together. There's too much history and too much guilt, and resentment, and love, and fear that they could only just part ways. Janine recognizes what Lydia did for her. And I think Lydia cannot move forward without doing this. But I don't think that absolves anyone of their participation, speaking only for Janine and Lydia. I think that guilt will haunt Lydia for a very long time. What she learns in episodes 9 and 10 of this series sets up The Testaments. But I don't think their relationship could ever meet peace. There's just too much history. Let's say they both ended up in Canada and were living normal lives. I don't think they'd go out for coffee. It's like, this is over now, because this is all we can be to each other, is this relationship. This can't take on another life in another place and time. She just texted me this morning! I've worked with so many brilliant actors on The Handmaid's Tale that it would be impossible not to take with me some of the technical things I've learned as an actor. But what I'll take with me, from Ann specifically, is that is the warmest and most generous human being you will ever meet in your life. As archaic as it is, and icky as it is sometimes, it's a caste system on a set. It's hierarchical, and you don't really step out of your rank, which is insane. Ann has a way of being at the top of the totem pole and making every single person feel like her closest friend. She has a way of touching every person and making them feel heard, and wanted, and valued in just a quick interaction. She makes sure to thank everyone, all of our crew, all of our background [actors], our crafty, everybody. I've seen the warmth that she brings to people. And I will take that with me because it changes your life. She's magic. Lizzie doesn't blink. She blinks, of course, but she has a way of maintaining eye contact and connection where I think most people might shy away. I have trouble with eye contact—I'm looking anywhere but in someone's eyes. And watching her, that connection is so powerful and engaging. That was when all of the Jezebels get shot. It was like my body was ignited. It was so hard, but necessary. She's lost so much, Janine. That was one of the only things she was really living for. She was living for Charlotte, but her purpose was with these women, her friends, her sisters, and she can't save them. There's nothing she can do. It's just so utterly devastating. Janine has just made me a better person. She's smarter, and funnier, and more compassionate, and stronger. She's so many things I'm not and that I aspire to be. She is smart! That's the thing about Janine that I've always loved and admired is that she knows how to survive. When we meet her in seasons 1 and 2, and she's checked out, it's because that's how she's going to get through. Because, otherwise, what? Is she supposed to meet despair and torture every day? And in the meantime, that sisterhood—with Alma, Brianna, and June—uplifts her and holds her, as she does them. It really drives home for me the truth that we are nothing without our sisterhoods, whatever they may look like. Our sisterhoods, our brotherhoods, our everythings. Our communities are how we get through. Not between the characters, but definitely thematically. I guess that's part of the zeitgeist right now. That's a reflection of a bit of our world. Handmaid's Tale, You, Adolescence—these are conversations that are being had on large and small screens because they are part of our lives. Patriarchy hurts everyone. And in our own way, in Handmaid's Tale and You, we're trying to help people understand that fact and that it's not an admonishment of maleness, it's not an indictment of masculinity, but it is worthy of conversation. Especially with You coming out, I naively assumed most of the fans were young women and girls like me. And it's a lot of men, really boys, like 18- to 23-year-olds. They idolize this man [Joe]. They want to model themselves after him because, to them, he is the perfect picture of masculinity. He's strong, powerful, clever, charming, good looking, he's rich at the end, and he gets the girl nine times out of 10. I can see on the surface why they admire him, but they're doing mental acrobatics, or it's not bothering them, the cognitive dissonance of the man they admire is also a murderer. I think for some of them, unfortunately, the murder makes him even better—the fact that he's willing to go the distance to punish a woman for what she has done to him. The conversations around the two shows... I want to be in a Netflix Christmas movie. [Laughs] I'm so tired. No, I do love it. And this is the greater picture around getting to be an actor. I get to be on shows where the conversations are important and interesting. And I feel sorry that the boys who are mad at me for playing Bronte [in You], I'm sorry that they don't have better role models. I was at a meeting at Netflix, and they were like, 'What do you want to do?' And I was like, 'I would love to do a Christmas movie.' And they were like, 'Really? That's not really your thing.' And I'm like, 'It could be.' I love a musical. I'm a musical theater girl. It would take several years, but I would want to be Mama Rose in Gypsy. Then, of course, after seeing Sunset Blvd., I simply must play Norma Desmond, who I'm obsessed with from the film. But there are so many great shows out there and great roles for women in musical theater and more being written. I think theater is having a really great time right now, and I'm excited to join. I have a few irons in the fire and things I'm cooking up. I want to go back to theater. I live in New York, so that's where my heart is. I'm getting married in less than two months. So I'm like, Nothing can hurt me right now. I get to get married to the love of my life. I feel a lot of possibility. I feel like the world is my oyster. I just finished two extraordinary shows. I'm very proud of them. And I can't wait to see what's next in store for me. This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
Elle
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Elle
'The Handmaid's Tale' Season 6, Episode 4 Recap: June Makes A Dangerous Move
Spoilers below. It didn't take long for June Osborne (Elisabeth Moss) to join the Mayday rebellion in the final season of The Handmaid's Tale. June's history of fighting against the oppressive Gilead regime ensures her voice is heard, but it is at the cost of others like Luke (O-T Fagbenle) and Moira (Samira Wiley). Conflict brews between June and her loved ones when the next stage in the rebels' plans reveals potential issues and June discovers another friend will get caught in the firing line. Gilead continues to get its branding makeover after the positive response to New Bethlehem last week. More lenient rules and excellent fertility services make countries like the UK and Mexico feel better about booting American refugees out of their countries. To celebrate the early success, Commander Lawrence (Bradley Whitford) graduates to a higher role, Serena (Yvonne Strahovski) gets more positive attention from a new admirer, and even Rita (Amanda Brugel) steps back into the country she previously fled. FIND OUT MORE ON ELLE COLLECTIVE Not everyone is making strides in 'Promotion', and for those like Janine (Madeline Brewer), the challenges of her current position mean there is very little hope. But even the women at Jezebel's might have something to celebrate if the Mayday plan comes to fruition and there is no holding back in the final season. 'We're gonna blow some shit up,' Luke excitedly tells June. The targets are a comms tower, an ammunition warehouse, and the Federal task has been made easier thanks to the new trade route (with less security) that will aid the entry into Gilead. June seems less enthused, but before she can object too much, they are interrupted by Mark Tuello (Sam Jaeger), who comes bearing good news. Luke is no longer facing criminal charges (the intel from Gilead helped), and they can officially go to Alaska. June is ecstatic about this update, but Luke is noticeably quiet regarding the relocation. Luke doesn't wait long to tell June that he needs to see through the bombing mission. He can't think about building a life together when he has to see this through. June's objections are rooted in how rag-tag the Mayday operation is, which lacks the professional firepower of Gilead's military. June has been through hell and back, so she can't keep quiet when Jezebel's is named the place where the commanders are most vulnerable. the warhogs who shot down their planes won't be the only ones caught in the crossfire, there are plenty of innocent women who work at Jezebel's too. The plan is for sharpshooters to take the commanders out, then detonate the bombs and let the military role in. Of course, June immediately finds flaws in the plan, but her concern is genuine. Much to June's horror, Moira volunteers to go in ahead of time to coordinate with those forced to work there. Moira reasons that, as the only former Jezebel within Mayday (she knows the penthouse like the back of her hand), she should be the one to do the recon mission. June forbids Moira from going back to Jezebel's. 'I don't think you realize how psycho you sound right now, so I am going to give you a beat,' Moira rightly tells her. June has just gotten Moira back and is scared about the danger, but this is not enough reason to talk to her like she is a child. Moira has spent so long following June's path, and she cannot live her life anymore. The disagreement is put on pause when the pair find out that Janine has been reassigned to Jezebel's, but it also means June feels like this is her fight now. Rather than talk to Moira, June goes behind her back to the Mayday leader. June wants to go in Moira's place, and uses her get-out-of-jail-free commander card (Nick) as leverage that she will have an out if anything goes wrong. Plus, June has been to Jezebel's many times. Luke is furious when June tells him, calling her disrespectful and 'goddamn infantilising.' Moria is angry at her best friend and how little June thinks about their abilities. It is impossible not to side with Moira and Luke on this one. June uses their recent mission issues to prove her point that they are out of their depth, but Luke thinks the truth is that June wants to go in. But this is his chance to fight for Hannah. It feels like we will go in frustrating circles, but husband and wife hit a compromise. 'If you want to fight, then let's fight together,' says Luke. Rather than push back, June agrees, and the subject of Hannah comes up again. Their family is broken, and has been ever since Hannah's been gone. Luke remains hopeful they will be reunited, saying he already had an 'impossible dream' come true when June returned. 'This is who we are now: two lunatics going into Gilead on a wing and a prayer,' Luke says. Serena greets Rita at the New Bethlehem gates and is genuinely thrilled to see her former Martha. Once again, Serena is rewriting the past as if she weren't integral to Rita's oppression. Serena mentions that both she and Nick (Max Minghella) pulled a lot of strings to make it happen, and there is an undertone of wanting Rita to thank her. Rita and her sister Gia have an emotional reunion; this is the dream of New Bethlehem working in action. When Rita visits Nick, she mentions his new (to her) role as commander, and he says it is 'the safest thing to be'. Rita wants to know if New Bethlehem is better than the rest of Gilead, and it is his job to make it this way. The former Martha wants Nick to guarantee he will eventually be able to get her family out, and he says it will take time (a year or two). I believe his intentions, but Nick is walking a tightrope at the moment and Rita should have a contingency plan. Meanwhile, Serena and Nick's father-in-law, Commander Wharton (Josh Charles), continue their flirty tête-à-tête about the future of Gilead. Wharton explains that he was skeptical about New Bethlehem, but Serena's faith in reforms is giving him food for thought. Wharton mentions his wife dying when Rose was young, and he exudes girl dad vibes. But in Gilead, even a commander who seems enlightened probably has some skeletons. How did he get to be so powerful in the first place? Wharton seems taken by Serena, and reveals this crush is far from new. He once had to pray for forgiveness for coveting another man's wife at an event in Washington D.C., when he saw Serena dancing with Fred. In the middle of the deserted street, Wharton asks Serena to dance, and she says yes. It is a little cheesy, but the best moment comes when Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd) happens to walk by this dalliance. They aren't doing anything untoward, but this will surely set tongues wagging. Dowd's delivery of 'Blessed evening' is very funny and it's clear Aunt Lydia is storing this information for future use. One person who is intent on reforming Gilead is Commander Lawrence, who is being made a High Commander. At home, Angela (Janine's daughter) has drawn a picture that Lawrence says his wife would be impressed by before he whispers 'my real wife' (referring to his deceased wife, Eleanor). Lawrence has so much disdain for his current wife, Naomi (Ever Carradine), who is thrilled to wear jewelry from Paris, but also has some advice. She mentions that the men he is about to work with associate power with virility. 'Power will come from reform. They know I'm their man,' he replies. To celebrate the fruits of his labor, the other high commanders have Jezebel's in mind. Wharton is strictly against this vice, meaning Nick gets to avoid this toxic masculinity showdown. Lawrence has no such luck. Commander Bell (Veep's Timothy Simons) treats Janine like a plaything, but will let Lawrence have a turn on his old handmaid as it is his special day. I hope very bad things happen to the latest Handmaid's Tale villain. There is never any intention that Lawrence wants to sleep with Janine and he says they can just talk. Janine is still furious with him that she went from being Lawrence's handmaid to Jezebel's. 'Well, you married a real cunt,' Janine says. She immediately regrets saying it out loud, but he says it is fine. Lawrence has Angela's drawing in his pocket, which he gives to Janine. The conversation turns to Angela's future as Janine knows 'bad things happen to commanders' daughters too.' Lawrence says he will do everything he can to keep her safe, and I believe him. But that doesn't mean he can make it happen. Later, Lawrence reads A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett to Angela, which he tells her was one of Eleanor's favorite stories (the closing credits also feature Whitford reading this story and it has a very soothing effect). Lawrence has always been driven by self-interest, but this growing bond with Angela could impact how hard he pushes for the reforms. It doesn't make him a hero, but if June has a High Commander she can turn to in times of crisis (and not just Nick), it is another weapon in the Mayday arsenal. With June planning to return to Jezebel's, she could do with all allies on call. ELLE Collective is a new community of fashion, beauty and culture lovers. For access to exclusive content, events, inspiring advice from our Editors and industry experts, as well the opportunity to meet designers, thought-leaders and stylists, become a member today HERE. Emma Fraser is a freelance culture writer with a focus on TV, movies, and costume design. You can find her talking about all of these things on Twitter.
Daily Mirror
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
The Handmaid's Tale Janine Lindo star reveals heartbreaking answer to whether she's in The Testaments
Janine Lindo's fate in The Handmaid's Tale is uncertain WARNING: This article contains spoilers from The Handmaid's Tale season 6 Devotees of The Handmaid's Tale are expressing concern for Janine Lindo (portrayed by Madeline Brewer), who was revealed to be alive and now employed at Jezebel's in the sixth season, following her departure from Commander Lawrence's (Bradley Whitford) residence. Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd) was taken aback to find Janine thrust into another form of prostitution, vowing to assist her in escaping the brothel. However, a sceptical Janine told Aunt Lydia that she was deluded about wanting a better life for former Handmaids. Despite this, Janine was desperate to reunite with her daughter Angela, who had been taken away from her and was residing with the Lawrences in New Bethlehem, reports the Mirror US. Regrettably, Commander Lawrence dashed Janine's hopes, cautioning her that his new wife Naomi Putnam (Ever Carradine) was an "old school Gilead wife", who would never permit the ex-handmaid into their home. Adding another dimension to Janine's storyline, she has now become the object of lustful Commander Bell's (Timothy Simons) desires. The Commander is infatuated with her, putting Janine in grave danger if she defies him. Numerous fans are eager to learn more about Janine, whose role in the Hulu TV series is more prominent than in the original novel. From the second season, The Handmaid's Tale has been crafting its own narrative after the first season covered the source material. Is Janine from The Handmaid's Tale in The Testaments? However, fans hoping for answers in Margaret Atwood's sequel novel will be left wanting. The straightforward answer is no, Janine doesn't feature in The Testaments. Moreover, actress Brewer has verified that she won't be part of the forthcoming adaptation of The Testaments. She recently expressed: "I'm just so happy that Ann [Dowd, who stars as Aunt Lydia] gets to continue making some magic with this character." Adding to Elle: 'I'm thrilled for the new cast members. For some of them, it's the start of their careers, and I'm so happy for them that they get to work with such an incredible crew and with Ann, who is a master class in what it means to be a person-empathetic, compassionate, generous." Janine's absence implies her storyline could wrap up in The Handmaids Tale's final season. The Testaments, however, will provide fans with insights into the destinies of June Osborne (Elisabeth Moss), Nick Blaine (Max Minghella) and Luke Bankole (O-T Fagbenle). Hannah Bankole (Jordana Blake) will also have a more significant role in The Testaments, with the timeline resuming in Gilead approximately five years after The Handmaid's Tale events. The TV series, expected to faithfully adapt the 2019 Booker Prize-winning novel, will also depict how Gilead was ultimately dismantled.
