MADELINE BREWER
in Hulu Series
The Handmaid’s Tale
finale season six
&
Netflix series
YOU
finale season five
Photography: Ben Duggan
Fashion Editor: Deborah Ferguson
In Season 6 of You and The Handmaid’s Tale, Madeline Brewer captivates audiences with her intense, layered performances. Brewer has earned widespread critical acclaim for her emotional depth and haunting vulnerability as Bronte and Janine in the respective series of critically-acclaimed television. Brewer brings a rare combination of raw intensity and artistic nuance to every character she inhabits, fearlessly exploring the darker corners of the human experience. Her work is not only unforgettable but also deeply affecting, a testament to both her talent and her commitment to her craft. We discuss her approach to Bronte and Janine, her artistic process, and more!
Congratulations on The Handmaid’s Tale and You! How does it feel to have shaped the final seasons of two critically-acclaimed and beloved shows?
It’s been a special ride. I’m honored to have been a part of two characters and shows I love.
Trench & Top: CHLOE
Starting with your role in The Handmaid’s Tale, this season your character, Janine, is relegated to a jezebel, objectified for the sexual gratification of the ruling class. How did you develop Janine as an expansive and lively character, despite the stifling conditions she lives within?
Janine is ever-evolving and ever-adapting. She is a survivor and part of that instinct leads her to look for the silver linings.
Blouse & Skirt: PATOU
As handmaids, many women in the show wear the same red uniform, establishing a sense of uniformity and collectivity. How did this collectivity transform into camaraderie over the course of the season?
A major theme of the show is the sisterhood between the women. We are at our best when we are supporting each other.
The Handmaid’s Tale has spanned each term of the Trump presidency, grounding this series of fiction in unfortunate political reality. How has the political context of the show shaped your contributions to it?
It is impossible to avoid drawing similarities between some of these administration’s “promises” and the early days of Gilead. That hasn’t shaped my performance but is certainly part of the conversations around the characters and their real-life applications.
Your roles as Janine on The Handmaid’s Tale and Bronte in You both confront the patriarchy in new and nuanced ways. How did you approach developing Bronte as a character?
The characters are incredibly different. I wanted to approach Bronte with compassion as I try to do all my characters. I break down what is similar, what is different, what are the essential parts of the character I want to prioritize and then go from there.
You’ve recently taken philosophy classes at the New School. How has this informed your approach to Bronte, a similarly bookish and eccentric female lead?
I actually started the class after shooting. But I have always been an avid reader so that was helpful in developing Bronte.
Bronte leans heavily into the manic-pixie-dream-girl trope. How have you breathed life into this familiar framework?
She is actually meant to be the stereotype, that’s part of the “plan” as we find out in Episode 6. She has made herself into catnip for Joe.
How do you see Bronte as an evolution of You’s previous female leads?
I think at times Bronte was a distillation of parts of each of the women who came before her. She studied who they were and used some of their characteristics to catfish Joe.
Top & Skirt: KENZO
Aside from the screen, you’ve played Sally Boles in Cabaret. How has your work on stage informed your work on screen?
It has given me a greater appreciation for working on stage. I absolutely love the stage and want to do more.
Blouse & Skirt: PATOU Heels: Paul Andrew
How has your work as an actor shaped your artful approach to fashion, music, and design?
In a way all these art forms commingle. Acting has given me a deeper understanding of the complexities of all art! I have been lucky to wear the art of some fabulous designers both known and emerging. The clothes truly make the character for me and are an essential part of creation.