Yvonne Strahovski Talks “Enlightening” ‘Handmaid’s Tale’ Season 2, Working With Elisabeth Moss

“I’m really stoked, actually. I woke up in the morning really late to a lot of missed calls on my phone,” The Handmaid’s Tale actress Yvonne Strahovski told The Hollywood Reporter of getting the news of her Emmy nomination.

Unlike season one, Strahovski said she was able to explore her character, Serena Joy, at length in season two of the Hulu series. “It’s allowed me to deep-dive into her emotional psyche and vulnerability and to break down the iciness that we had seen in season one.”

One of those dives came in the episode where Joy decides to return to Gilead despite seeing life outside the suppression. Strahovski said of that moment, “It was so confronting on so many different layers. She’s watching women on phones and being independent.”

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Strahovski said she feels a little dirty playing a character who has to justify what she’s doing. “Ultimately I’m on Team Audience, who loathes her and wants her to be a better person,” she said.

The actress revealed that she kept her pregnancy secret for a few weeks during production. When she had to film a scene where she is beaten, she said it was time to let producer Bruce Miller and actress Elisabeth Moss know the situation.

On working with Moss, Strahovski said, “It’s like having the greatest sparring partner ever.” She added that they are able to get in and out of their characters and get along between takes.

Strahovski, originally from Australia, said she wasn’t privy to American politics, although being on a show like Handmaid’s Tale has made her more aware and active in the conversation. “The show has been enlightening and empowering,” she said.

The actress also revealed that she’s not sure whether she will attend the Emmys given her pregnancy, but she hopes to be there to support her cast and crew, a group that’s earned 20 nominations this year.