All The Filming Locations In “The Testaments”

Seven years after June’s liberation, the future of Gilead remains uncertain as new characters emerge who could change everything

Seven years after the conclusion of The Handmaid’s Tale, the dystopian world of Gilead is explored once again in The Testaments, a story centered on the new generation raised within the regime’s dictatorial system. Since the establishment of the government, fertile women have been relegated to submissive roles, forced to bear children for powerful families under strict religious laws. At schools, younger generations are raised to perpetuate this patriarchal structure under the stringent supervision of the Aunts, the women responsible for enforcing Gilead’s rules through the training and indoctrination of Handmaids.

Based on Margaret Atwood’s novel of the same name, The Testaments follows Agnes Jemima, the daughter of June Osborne, who has been raised in Gilead to become a proper wife. Aunt Lydia, the formidable figure who once supervised the Handmaids, returns as a central character, secretly recording her thoughts and schemes from within the system. Meanwhile, in Canada, Daisy becomes entangled in resistance efforts against Gilead after being recruited by the underground network Mayday. Like The Handmaid’s Tale, The Testaments unfolds across gloomy, harsh settings that reflect the oppressive values of Gilead, where silence is often the key to survival. Stay tuned to discover all about its filming locations!

Chelster Hall, Oakville

Teenage girls are educated at Aunt Lydia’s School to become Gilead’s future obedient Wives, destined for sacrifice and submission under burdensome traditional principles. This elite academy is set in Chelster Hall, a private residence on the shores of Lake Ontario which recalls England’s grand country houses. Although it was built in the early 2000s, its classical symmetry gives it a timeless appearance, making the estate feel “settled” from the very beginning.

The MacKenzie Home, Ontario

As a student at Aunt Lydia’s preparatory school, Agnes is adopted by Commander Mackenzie, who lives with his wife in a luxurious estate which reflects the privilege of Gilead’s ruling elite. This 14,000-square-foot property is actually Escarpment House, located in the Pulpit Ridge Area of Caledon, Ontario. Featuring five lavish bedrooms, a pool surrounded by expansive gardens, and a private home theater, the mansion perfectly embodies the wealth and status associated with high-ranking Commanders.

Escarpment House was also used in Reacher to portray a remote Maine estate, although its atmosphere here feels far less eerie thanks to the scenic shoreline located just below the property.

Toronto Don Valley Hotel, Toronto

The purification ceremony was filmed at the indoor pool of the Toronto Don Valley Hotel & Suites, a striking space featuring crystal-like ceilings and open year-round alongside a seasonal outdoor pool. A sauna, steam room, and poolside bar are among the amenities offered at this urban retreat in Toronto.

Café Diplomatico, Toronto

Daisy and June – the now-free protagonist of The Handmaid’s Tale – dine together at Café Diplomatico, a popular pizzeria and café in Toronto’s Little Italy. Founded in 1968 by Rocco Mastrangelo Sr. and his brother Paul, the restaurant helped popularize outdoor dining in the city and eventually became a neighborhood institution. Its menu is diverse, while the interiors feel warm and inviting, complemented by a lively summer patio where pizza and coffee are always in demand.

Memorial Park, Oshawa

In the first episode, “Precious Flowers,” the Plums are playing in a square when they suddenly see five bodies hanging with their heads covered, a striking image which effectively underscores the strict, punitive system of Gilead. This scene was filmed in Memorial Park, located in downtown Oshawa and considered part of the city’s cultural heart. The park is home to the War Memorial and the McLaughlin Bandshell. Unveiled on Thanksgiving Day in 1924, it was designed by Dr. T. E. Kaiser using stones from Allied nations of the First World War, as well as the battlefields where Canadians fought. Today, Memorial Park remains an important landmark and symbol of community identity in the city.

You can watch The Testaments on Hulu!

Aitana Esteban Rando

Aitana, born and raised in Spain, loves exploring new places and different cultures while staying true to her roots. She's on a mission to visit every spot that stole her heart in books and movies. Fluent in Spanish and English, she's now learning Arabic. For her, speaking different languages is the key to understand the world's beautiful diversity.