Amanda Brugel Shares ‘Love & War’ BTS Diary From The Handmaid’s Tale

Behind The #diaryofamartha Scenes

Amanda Brugel, the Canadian actress behind Rita in Hulu’s hit series The Handmaid’s Tale, treated fans to her latest #bts Instagram diary entry, aptly titled “Love & War.” The post, shared under her @amandabrugel handle, highlights five unforgettable moments from the set: a birthday celebration at the gallows, Darcy Carden’s two-step warm-up, showrunner Eric Tuchman getting cuffed, American Thanksgiving and the series of never-ending group hugs.

Birthday Bash At The Gallows

In her caption, Brugel listed “Bday party at the Gallows” as the first standout moment. Fans of the show know the gallows as a grim reminder of Gilead’s brutality—but behind the scenes, the cast managed to turn it into a surprise celebration spot. Photos from the post show cast and crew gathered around a simple cake, toasting with bottled water and coffee amid the stark set decor. It’s a quirky juxtaposition that captures the cast’s camaraderie in an otherwise tense fictional world.

Darcy Carden’s Two-step Warm-up

Next on Brugel’s list is “The @darcycarden warm-up two step.” Darcy Carden, who plays Rita’s fellow domestic servant Emily in flashbacks, was caught on camera doing a playful two-step routine to get into character. Amanda’s snap of Carden stretching out her legs and tapping her boots hints at the lighthearted rituals the actors use to shake off off-camera stress before filming intense scenes.

Showrunner Moment: Eric Tuchman Gets Cuffed

One of the most unexpected BTS shots features co-showrunner Eric Tuchman getting cuffed by a cast member. Brugel captioned this “Co-show runner @erictuchman getting cuffed,” giving followers a laugh and a peek at the friendly pranks that happen during downtime. Tuchman, who oversees the creative direction of the series alongside Bruce Miller, seemed to take it all in stride—proof that the production keeps morale high, even when tackling heavy subject matter.

Thanksgiving Feels On Set

“American Thanksgiving,” Brugel wrote, was another highlight. Though the story of Gilead doesn’t include the familiar holiday, the cast carved out time to enjoy a festive meal complete with turkey, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie. The gesture underscores how the ensemble celebrates normalcy off-screen, bonding over traditional dishes even as they portray a dystopian society on camera.

Never-ending Group Hugs

Rounding out her favourites, Amanda noted “The never ever ever ending group hugs.” The photo montage includes snapshots of cast members embracing after long shooting days, capturing moments of genuine affection. It’s a reminder that while the characters suffer in Gilead, the actors lean on each other in real life.

Amanda’s Diary Journey

This isn’t Brugel’s first Diary of a Martha entry. Back in early 2022, she shared a reflective post quoting author Margaret Atwood—”War is what happens when language fails.” Since then, she’s documented everything from her first fitting on set to magazine cover shoots celebrating the show’s impact. Her ongoing series gives fans an insider’s look at how a global hit is made and the community that forms around it.

Amanda Brugel’s latest entry shows that even in a world of repression and control, humor, gratitude and connection flourish behind the cameras. Her “Love & War” theme perfectly captures the balance of intense drama and heartfelt bonds that define The Handmaid’s Tale production. As the series continues to break new ground with its storytelling, Brugel’s open-hearted diaries remind viewers of the people—and the passion—powering every scene.

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Poulami Nag

 

Poulami is an associate editor. She did her MA in English from Miranda House, University of Delhi and has qualified UGC-NET. She also holds a PG diploma in Editing and Publishing from Jadavpur University. Her journey as a content writer began in 2017 and since then, Poulami has garnered diverse interests along the way.

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