It’s official, folks! Hulu has announced their 10-episode adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s 1985 novel The Handmaid’s Tale will release on April 26. And we couldn’t be more excited.If you haven’t read it, you probably don’t understand why this is an exciting announcement. Let me help with that.The Handmaid’s Tale is a work of speculative fiction set in a near-future New England. Prior to the book beginning, the Sons of Jacob stage an attack that kills the President of the United States and much of Congress. The Sons of Jacob suspends the U.S. Constitution under the pretext of restoring order and establish the Republic of Gilead.The Republic of Gilead is a ruthless theocratic military dictatorship that rules the former United States, but they’re based in New England. They institute a new hierarchical society with Old Testament-inspired social and religious fanaticism. Oh, and they strip women of all rights. Think Nazi Germany but add a lot of religion and remove the Nazis.[caption id="attachment_3930" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]

Why yes, that is Elisabeth Moss.[/caption]The novel follows the story of a woman named Offred. She’s a handmaid, and she’s literally kept in a government compound for reproductive purposes. But despite her indoctrination, she remembers her husband, her failed attempt to escape to Canada, and her child.It’s a creepy story with terrifying implications. Hulu’s new trailer looks to capture the mood of the novel perfectly, and with Elisabeth Moss and Samira Wiley starring, there are big expectations. You can find the trailer below, and be sure to read up before April!