The Testaments Season 1 Ending Explained: Agnes’ Identity & How It Sets Up Season 2

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A year after the end of The Handmaid’s Tale on Hulu, the first season of its sequel, The Testaments, has concluded with an ending that suggests a more hopeful future. The series, based on Margaret Atwood’s novel, has taken a deliberate pace, focusing on the development of characters like Agnes McKenzie (Chase Infiniti) and Daisy (Lucy Halliday), as well as expanding the world of Gilead and exploring the histories of key figures like Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd). Be warned: spoilers follow from here on out.

The situation became much more intense in Season 1, Episode 9 of The Testaments, when Becka (Mattea Conforti) violently killed her father, Dr. Grove (Randal Edwards), after years of abuse. The final episode, “Secateurs,” deals with the consequences of this act, including Becka’s arrest and how it affects Agnes’ life. By the end of the episode, it feels like Gilead’s control is starting to weaken.

Agnes’ Real Identity, Telling Aunt Lydia The Truth, & The New Rebellion Against Gilead

Agnes is actually Hannah Bankole, the daughter of Luke and June Osborne, who was taken from them by the Gilead regime. While longtime viewers of The Handmaid’s Tale already knew this, the revelation is impactful for new viewers and, importantly, for Agnes herself. At first, she’s shocked – reacting with disbelief – but she quickly understands the significance: her mother wasn’t just a fugitive, but a courageous survivor who fought to protect those she loved.

Agnes embodies all those qualities, and we’re now seeing a stronger sense of who she truly is and what she’s capable of. When her birth name, Hannah, is brought up, it triggers a memory. She discovers a drawing among her hidden belongings with her real name on it—not Agnes. This moment, from Season 5, Episode 9 of The Handmaid’s Tale, was a small act of defiance that showed Hannah hadn’t completely forgotten her past. Now, that same spirit of rebellion is resurfacing.

This revelation prompts June to confide in Aunt Lydia, who admits she was aware of June’s past and refuses to lose hope – and neither will she. While seemingly focused on the challenge of Agnes’s wedding – complicated by her shift in status from Green to Plum – this moment also subtly acknowledges the necessity of resisting Gilead in any way possible.

While not a full-scale uprising, hints of rebellion are appearing. We see this in Lydia and Vidala protecting Becka by framing her mother for Dr. Grove’s murder, and in Agnes beginning to understand the true nature of Gilead. This understanding will likely grow. The final scene of Agnes, Shu, and Daisy walking together, holding pinkies, suggests that their resistance will become stronger and more determined in the next season.

We Still Don’t Know Who Daisy’s Parents Are In The Testaments

The season finale of The Testaments reveals a significant family connection, but the mystery surrounding Daisy’s parentage remains unsolved. In the original book, Daisy is actually Nichole, the daughter of June and Nick Blaine. However, the show’s timeline, which places Daisy and Agnes/Hannah as being the same age, prevents that connection from being true in the series. For a moment, June’s heartfelt words to Daisy led viewers to believe the show might disregard the timeline and reveal the connection anyway.

It’s unclear who Daisy’s parents are. She doesn’t quite fit the pattern of other characters like Charlotte, or those connected to the Angel’s Flight group. It’s possible we’ll never learn more about her family or any hidden connections to the show’s history, but stories like this often have surprising reveals.

It’s become clear that even if this woman isn’t June’s biological daughter, she shares many of June’s traits. Like June, she’s choosing to return to Gilead despite the risks, driven by the impact the girls she met there have had on her and her desire to help them – a motivation June understands well.

Why Commander Weston Broke Off His Engagement To Agnes

Agnes courageously reveals to her fiancé, Commander Weston, that she was a victim of Dr. Grove’s abuse. While he tries to assist Becka, this revelation also leads him to end their engagement. This decision deeply confuses Agnes’ father – and many watching – as he believes her involvement in the Grove scandal is the reason.

The truth is probably far more disturbing. Firstly, Weston likely views her as damaged goods, despite pretending to care. Secondly, he understands Agnes won’t be silent if mistreated and will speak out. Considering his past abuse, he clearly wants a submissive and easily controlled wife.

Agnes & Becka’s Kiss In The Testaments Finale Explained

The Testaments differs from The Handmaid’s Tale in part because of its characters’ ages. By centering the story on teenage girls, the novel achieves a different, sometimes gentler, tone despite the grim setting of Gilead. This is especially evident in moments of tenderness, like the kiss between Agnes and Becka in the final episode, which occurs as Becka prepares to marry Garth.

Becka is romantically interested in Agnes, and her feelings are clear. But their connection is also about finding hope. Agnes provides Becka with the strength she needs to persevere, and their kiss is a bright spot in an otherwise incredibly difficult life. While her marriage to Garth might be an improvement over her previous situation, being confined to her room suggests it won’t be a fulfilling relationship.

As far as I can tell, Agnes doesn’t seem to have any romantic interest in Becka right now, though the story could certainly take them in that direction. What we see is Agnes being a true friend – offering comfort and support during a tough time. It felt like a quiet moment, almost a goodbye, and a beautiful display of platonic care. It wasn’t about romance; it was about being there for someone who needs you.

The Testaments’ Finale Has A Margaret Atwood Cameo

A standout moment in the first season finale of The Testaments is a brief appearance by Margaret Atwood, the novel’s author. She plays a worker at the Gilead facility where Becka is held, and shares a scene with Aunt Lydia, calmly advising her, “Don’t agitate her.” This is a clever casting choice, as Atwood has often expressed her fascination with the complex character of Lydia. It’s also ironic – for someone who’s managed to endure for so long within Gilead’s oppressive system, Lydia likely had to make difficult and morally questionable decisions.

Is The Testaments Season 2 Happening?

Though the first season didn’t wrap up the story, Hulu has confirmed a second season of The Testaments. The show has been a success, racking up 45 million viewing hours in its first eight episodes, and interest grew significantly – viewership jumped 76% from the first to the eighth episode. With so much more story to tell, a second season was expected, and the show could potentially continue beyond that as well.

Warning: SPOILERS ahead for The Testaments book.

The TV show hasn’t included many key storylines from the novel The Testaments. These missing parts include Agnes choosing to become a potential Aunt to escape marriage, and her discovery of evidence proving Gilead’s widespread corruption – like the affair between Commander Paula and another Commander, and their plan to murder their spouses. The story also reveals how information smuggled out of Gilead to Canadian journalists fueled a rebellion that ultimately overthrew the regime, leading to a heartwarming reunion between June and both of her children.

While the show hasn’t followed everything from the book exactly – it’s sped up the story and altered Daisy’s character – we can probably expect Season 2 to focus on characters uncovering more about Gilead, continuing to send information to Canada, and ultimately working together with the Mayday resistance movement.

All 10 episodes of The Testaments Season 1 are now streaming on Hulu.

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2026-05-27 19:12