Oprah, arguably the most famous fan of The Handmaid’s Tale, will feature in tonight’s episode. But first, a word of warning: spoilers ahead.
The episode, titled ‘Holly’, sees June (played by Elisabeth Moss) behind the wheel of a car for the first time in years. When she turns on the ignition, the radio begins to play – and it’s Oprah, now working at Radio Free America and “broadcasting from somewhere in the Great White North” coming to her through the airwaves.
Oprah delivers this news:
“The American government in Anchorage today received promises of economic aid from India and China,” she says. “In the United Kingdom, additional sanctions on Gilead were announced as well as plans to raise the cap on American refugees relocating from Canada.”
“Now, a tune to remind everyone who’s listening, American patriot or Gilead traitor: we are still here. Stars and stripes forever, baby.”
Then Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Hungry Heart’ begins to play.
The Handmaid’s Tale creator and showrunner Bruce Miller told Decider that working with Oprah on the cameo “was a lovely, easy process.”
“The radio segment she recorded was inspired by the free radio of the Allies from WWII,” he explains. “It was an absolute honour to have Oprah featured on the show, and especially thrilling as she was the one who presented us with the Emmy last year.”
The episode airs tonight on SBS in Australia.