Cast and crew return to Cambridge for filming of ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’

The cast and crew of the hit television show The Handmaid’s Tale are coming back to Cambridge, using the city as its backdrop once again for the latest season.

Filming is set to get underway as of Monday, Jan. 20, with crews initially setting up in the areas of Lansdowne Road North and Queen’s Square in Cambridge.

“Filming will involve the use of lighting cranes, drones, pyrotechnics, electronic gunfire, large crowd scenes, and reduced street lighting. Access to residences and businesses will be maintained, but intermittent delays may occur,” said the City of Cambridge in a release.

Locations will also stretch to Main Street, George Street, Water Street, Park Hill Road West, and more in different increments lasting into the beginning of February.

“Technical and Crew Parking will be on the west or east side of Lansdowne Road North from Salisbury Avenue to Blenheim Road, the north side of Salisbury Avenue from Lansdowne Avenue North to Aberdeen Road North, the south side of Wentworth Avenue from Aberdeen Road North to Lansdowne Road North, and designated areas around Queen’s Square and Mill Race Park,” said the City of Cambridge.

The City of Cambridge is warning that some of the exterior scenes being filmed may contain graphic content, warning families to steer clear throughout filming.

The full list of road closures, dates and times include:

• Queen’s Square: Jan. 20 to Feb. 4 (24 hours)
• North and South Square: Jan. 27-29 (6 a.m.- 8 p.m. daily)
• Main Street from Queen’s Square to Ainslie Street: Jan. 27-29 (6 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily), Jan. 30 (6 a.m. – 3 a.m.), Jan. 31 (12 p.m. – 3 a.m.)
• Intermittent Traffic Stoppages (3 minutes max, outside rush hours):
  • George Street at Queen’s Square
  • Grand Avenue at Queen’s Square
  • Water Street at Main Street
  • Park Hill Road West from Grand Avenue to Water Street North

The show stars Elizabeth Moss in the lead role and is based on the best-selling book of the same name, written by Canadian author Margaret Atwood. Cambridge has been used in scenes throughout the show’s run, which began in 2017.

The full list of information regarding the filming of The Handmaid’s Tale in Cambridge can be found on the Cambridge Economic Development website or Ontario Creates.