It looks like a commander from Gilead has moved into Dundas.
“The Testaments,” the sequel to the recently-wound down “The Handmaid’s Tale,” filmed last Monday at a home on picturesque Victoria Street.
A scene was shot out front of the house, with actors talking and milling around on the sidewalk and some of them walking down the street wearing light green dresses.
Actor Ann Dowd, who plays Aunt Lydia Clements, was on hand for the filming. She was spotted in an SUV across the street from the house, waiting to be called to shoot a scene.
The house has been used before for filming, appearing in the 2022 romantic dramedy “The Swearing Jar” starring Patrick Adams, Adelaide Clemons and Kathleen Turner.
Aunt Lydia was once a villain in the dystopian world of “The Handmaid’s Tale” and was a bane in the existence of the protagonist and rebellious handmaid June Osborne. She, however, saw the light about the evil ways of the totalitarian and theocratic Gilead in the sixth and final season of the show that wrapped up in May on the CTV Drama Channel in Canada and Hulu in the United States.
The MGM program, starring Elisabeth Moss as Osborne, shot in Hamilton during its entire run. The final two episodes showcased the former Hamilton Spectator building on Frid Street, including a scene where Moss is talking to someone and over her shoulder you can make out the Hamilton Spectator sign.
Both programs are based on books by Margaret Atwood. “The Handmaid’s Tale” came out in 1985 and “The Testaments” was published in 2019.
The sequel takes place 15 years after the events in the first show. It intertwines the lives of three women — Agnes in Gilead (who is actually June’s daughter, Hannah), Daisy (living in Canada) and Aunt Lydia. Agnes is living with her adoptive parents, Commander Kyle and Tabitha.
Chase Infiniti (Apple TV Plus’ “Presumed Innocent”) plays Agnes and Scottish newcomer Lucy Halliday plays Daisy. It is not known if Moss will appear. The show is expected to debut in 2026.
The Ben Johnson Story
Actor Kristian Bruun was at the east Mountain set last week of the new TV show on the life of Ben Johnson. He is playing Johnson’s late coach Charlie Francis (he died in 2010).
The Toronto-native, known for roles in “Orphan Black” and “Murdoch Mysteries,” is just one of a number of well-known Canadian actors featured in the six-part dramedy, “Hate the Player: The Ben Johnson Story.” Bruun now lives in Los Angeles and recently played a CIA agent in the Netflix series “The Recruit.”
“Hate the Player” has been filming across Hamilton and last Monday it was at Mohawk Sports Park on Mohawk Road East. It appeared to be a scene recreating Johnson’s run in the 1988 Seoul Olympics. There were three podiums set up to present medals and a number of actors were dressed in track gear. They hung around in a tent, seeking shelter from the summer heat.
Johnson won the gold medal in the 100 metres, but tested positive for drugs and had the medal taken away. It was one of the biggest sports scandals in the 20th century.
“Hate the Player” was devised by Anthony Farrell, who was involved in “The Office” and “Run The Burbs” (also shot in Hamilton).
“Hate the Player” also filmed at Westinghouse HQ on Sanford Avenue North, the HAAA Grounds and the C Hotel by Carmen’s.
Shamier Anderson from “John Wick: Chapter 4” plays Johnson. King Bach will play U.S. sprinter Carl Lewis. Also in the show are Andrew Phung, Mark McKinney, Karen Robinson, Ennis Esmer, Ryan Belleville and Jonathan Langdon.
The show debuts on Paramount Plus and GameTV in 2026.
Casting change: Jay Baruchel has had to drop out of “Reacher,” which shot in Hamilton this month. Chris Marquette will now play small-town police officer Jacob Merrick.
