By BERNIE FLETCHER
The red robes and white bonnets are back. The Handmaid’s Tale began its intense fourth season (CTV Drama) with more dark and disturbing images of the Republic of Gilead.
When we first saw this adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s acclaimed 1985 novel, many thought the dystopian world it portrayed was far-fetched, including an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol in Washington.
Joseph Fiennes who plays Commander Waterford told Variety, “I couldn’t help but have a self-dialogue on the nature of and the fragility of democracy and the storming of Congress.”
The series has parallels to current world events as well as echoes of history when escaping slaves followed the Underground Railroad to freedom in Canada.
Season 4 follows June (Elisabeth Moss) as she fights back against the oppressive regime of Gilead.
After a long delay because of the pandemic, filming resumed last fall with locations in Toronto, Cambridge and Scotsdale Farm near Georgetown. Downtown Brantford and Hamilton stand in for the ruined streets of war-torn “Chicago”.
Here’s a primer on filming locations for The Handmaid’s Tale in the east end of Toronto: The Memorial Hall of the Church of St. Aidan on Silver Birch Avenue was once again used for the site of the “Re-Education Centre”.
Showrunner Bruce Miller told the Hollywood Reporter, “We had to go back to this location where the Red Centre (established to house and train the handmaids) is, which is a very particular place. All of the very practical things about COVID prompt questions like, where can we shoot? How can we get all of those people?”
The above map image shows the locations used in and around the Beach area while filming The Handmaid’s Tale:
(A) Bonjour Brioche: June and Moira jog on Queen Street East and stop for coffee. Women have their rights taken away.
(B) Hearn Generating Station: June confronts Commander Lawrence.
(C) Woodbine Beach: In a happy flashback of “the time before” June, Luke and Hannah play on the beach.
(D) Donald D. Summerville Pool: June tries to escape from armed guards.
(E) The Church of St. Aidan: The auditorium and gymnasium of the Memorial Hall became the “Red Centre”.
(F) Balmy Beach: Serena Joy attempts to recuperate at her mother’s house by the “ocean.”
(G) Serena and her mother sit on a beach log and talk.
(H) Lake Ontario: Serena wades into the water.
(I) U. of T. Scarborough: June is interrogated at a detention centre. She is allowed to see her daughter, but Hannah is in a glass cage.
(J) Whitby Harbour pier: Does June finally make it to freedom in Canada?
Praise be! Will life ever return to “normal”? Blessed day!
Did you enjoy this article? Become a Beach Metro Community News Supporter today! For 50 years, we have worked hard to be the eyes and ears in your community, inform you of upcoming events, and let you know what and who is making a difference. We cover the big stories as well as the little things that often matter the most. CLICK HERE to support your Beach Metro Community News!
