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‘The Testaments’: Why Was Commander MacKenzie Recast in ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Spinoff?

Hulu's The Testaments recast the role of Commander MacKenzie for its spinoff series, with actor Nate Corddry replacing Jason Butler Harner. The show airs Wednesdays, continuing the dystopian story established in The Handmaid's Tale.
Corddry, known for Mom and For All Mankind, appears in his most significant scenes yet during the series' fourth episode. The character previously appeared in three episodes of the original series before being recast for the sequel.
During the episode airing Wednesday, April 15, Agnes—played by Chase Infiniti—chips her tooth and visits the father of her friend Becka. The sequence raises suspicions of abuse, as Agnes later notices her clothing was adjusted.
Within Gilead's rigid structure, young women are often blamed for such encounters, leading them to believe they are at fault. Agnes has yet to confide in anyone regarding the incident or her suspicions of professional misconduct.
Creator Bruce Miller stated that writers are "very mindful about the level of trauma" they depict. The series, set four years after The Handmaid's Tale, aims to explore Lydia's mindset at the beginning of the regime.

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