Be aware that there are somespoilersdiscussed.
WARREN LITTLEFIELD: Thank you!
Hearing feedback, especially when its good, feels wonderful.
I dont get tired of that.
LITTLEFIELD: Well, we like that we scare ourselves.
I think thats a really important aspect.
Image via Hulu
Thats the balm that we rub on ourselves.
Now where are we going?
We got pretty ambitious for year two.
Image via Hulu
We said, Were ready to see what happens to young women.
Were ready to see where they go.
It was critical that we deliver on that, in a significant way.
Image via Hulu
One part of that is Marisa Tomei being in that world.
Also, for June, what does freedom look like?
Gilead is always in you.
Image via Hulu
Even if June has some freedom, a place like Gilead, you dont get away from.
Those were all things that we said.
LITTLEFIELD: Its been wildly satisfying.
Image via Hulu
We feel were aware of how relevant we are, in todays world.
We often say that we wish we were less relevant.
Were living in a pre-Gilead world, I think.
Image via Hulu
Part of year two is understanding, how did this happen?
How did Gilead happen?
What did it look like before?
Whats it like to be at Logan Airport, as theres an absolute sense of panic?
Its remarkable to hear Elisabeth Moss talk about the show because she clearly has so much passion for it.
LITTLEFIELD: First of all, were all aware that were doing a fairly dark drama.
Its a dystopian world, but we actually have a really good time making it.
Lizzie really helps give that presence.
The directors are motivated to not disappoint her and to push her.
She wants to be challenged.
Were all pushing ourselves.
Then, we have this amazing experience of looking at what we shot.
You work just as hard on things that are not nearly as good.
That is the process.
But we have the wonderful joy of loving it, living it, and being very proud of it.
Whats it like to see her success?
LITTLEFIELD: Reed is a force of nature.
Its fair that everyone who had a vote asked us, Who is Reed Morano?
Then, our partners at Hulu and MGM said, Okay, well take that shot.
Were just gonna have her do the first three hours.
This series dies, if this is the wrong director.
But if were right, then we will solidify who we are.
Thats what happened with Reed.
It solidified who we are.
Reed, like Gilead, is within us.
That was not an easy give-up.
Youre certainly still involved in it, but not with intimacy.
What I love about producing is that you get to sweat the details.
They become very much a part of you.
So far, weve done pretty well, both withFargo, all three seasons, and withHandmaids.
Its crazy, around-the-clock insanity.
These are not the largest budgets that anyone works with in television.
Thats a great challenge and its scary, but we get off on the ambitions and meeting expectations.
Weve heard that Noah Hawley has an idea forFargoSeason 4.
Is there any sense yet for the time period it might be in?
LITTLEFIELD: There is, but you wont get that out of me.
We have a city and a year.
Have you been told if theres a direct connection to any of the prior seasons with it?
LITTLEFIELD: We always have Easter eggs.
There is a connectivity, in each year.
Sometimes that comes early-on and sometimes that gets figured out, the deeper the development process goes.
God bless our partners at MGM, who said, Whenever youre ready, well take it.
LITTLEFIELD: I think Elisabeth Moss is playing two roles in this series.
Lizzie Moss is playing two roles.
It adds to the complexity.
LITTLEFIELD: Youre absolutely right.
Remember, she is carrying a child and shes a mother to that unborn child.
Shes also the mother of Hannah.
The desire to protect both also collide.
Its theSophies Choice-like decision of, how do I prioritize this?
Am I forced to make a decision?
That seems really powerful.
The opening sequence in the first episode of Season 2 is pretty horrific to watch.
LITTLEFIELD: In Gilead, actions have consequences.
I think we have a fasten-your-seatbelt opening to Season 2.
That is a sacred cathedral of sports.
In our Gilead world, that is no longer.
This is what its become.
Thats an entirely additional dimension to the gallows and where theyre placed and how that plays out.
We had great cooperation from our friends at Fenway, the Red Sox, and MLB.
I love that it plays on a number of levels.
What (director) Mike Barker did in that hour and in that opening is pretty phenomenal.
LITTLEFIELD: Thats so kind.
Were fueled by that.
Thats caffeine for us, for what we do.
We dont have success without people like you.
The Handmaids TaleSeason 2 is available to stream at Hulu on April 25th.
