<Tr> <Th_colspan="2"> External links </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> Website </Td> </Tr> <P> The Handmaid's Tale is an American web television series created by Bruce Miller, based on the 1985 novel of the same name by Margaret Atwood . It was ordered by streaming service Hulu with a straight - to - series order of 10 episodes, with the production beginning in late 2016 . The plot follows a dystopian future following a Second American Civil War where women, called "Handmaids", are forced into sexual and child - bearing servitude . </P> <P> The first three episodes of the series premiered on April 26, 2017, with the subsequent seven episodes added on a weekly basis every Wednesday . In May 2017, it was renewed for a second season to premiere on April 25, 2018 . The Handmaid's Tale received widespread critical acclaim and won eight Primetime Emmy Awards from thirteen nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series, becoming the first series on a streaming platform to win an Emmy for Outstanding Series . It has also won Golden Globe Awards for Best Television Series--Drama and Best Actress for Elisabeth Moss . </P>

What is the handmaid's tale about on hulu