The Handmaid’s Tale Most Terrifying Character Was Inspired by Real-Life Nuns
Ann Dowd talks about her inspirations for Aunt Lydia. The Handmaid's Tale must be even closer to reality than it already is.
The Handmaid's Tale is full of villains, and it's really difficult to pick the most horrifying one. However, we can safely say that Aunt Lydia Clements is up there with the most unforgettable antagonists (and Episode 6 proved it even further).
Played by the talented Ann Dowd, this character actually has a really interesting origin story.
The Real-Life Aunt Lydia Inspirations Are Not What You'd Expect
Thanks to Dowd, Lydia is hated by the whole world at the moment and will be for generations to come.
But the real surprise is that Dowd found inspiration for the character in an unexpected place: her own memories of Catholic school. During a talk with BUILD Series, Dowd shared:
“I went to school with Catholic sisters all of my first 10 years of education, and I always hesitate to bring that up because nuns get a raw deal, you know. You think of the one with the ruler and they're going to knock you out and this and that. I did not have that experience. I have 2 aunts who are sisters as well. But what they share, I would say, with Lydia is an absolute devotion to the work they've been given.”
Ann Dowd Was Haunted by One Nun in Particular: ‘She Taught Me Something So Important'
Not what you expected, right? Well, later in the interview, Dowd recalls one nun in particular. She said:
“I used to have experiences with one nun in particular who used to haunt me. You know, my job was to sweep the classroom and then I'd sweep it and I'd go down to basketball practice. She would come straight down, never harsh in the language: ‘Сome back, you didn't do the job, do it right.’ I despised her. I thought, ‘I cannot wait to, somehow, you know, let loose on her.’”
But despite hating her teacher to that extent, Dowd reflected:
“Thankfully, at the end I realized, Oh my goodness. She taught me something so important, which is: You are no different from anyone else. You're not special. You have a job to do. Do it. And when it's done, then go about your business.”
Where & When The Handmaid's Tale Season 6 Comes Out?
New episodes of The Handmaid's Tale release on Hulu every Tuesday at 12 am ET.
