Fact Check: Was Kiernan Shipka in The Handmaid's Tale? The reason behind the rumors explored

Roshini
Fact Check: Was Kiernan Shipka in The Handmaid
Fact Check: Was Kiernan Shipka in The Handmaid's Tale? The reason behind the rumors explored

Hulu's The Handmaid's Tale is a haunting portrayal of a dystopian world, where women are subjugated under a theocratic regime. Amongst its powerful characters is the young and defiant "wife," Esther Keyes, forced into a harrowing life. Her performance is a layered portrayal that managed to capture the attention of its audiences; people were talking about her, too, online.

Many think she's Kiernan Shipka, known for her role in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. But was it actually Shipka in this most crucial role, or is there another actress whose striking resemblance and acting prowess have led to this mix-up? Let's take a closer look at how this rumor started and what truth lies behind it. The official summary of the show reads as below:

Set in a dystopian future, a woman is forced to live as a concubine under a fundamentalist theocratic dictatorship.

Was Kiernan Shipka in The Handmaid's Tale?

youtube-cover

No, Kiernan Shipka was not involved in The Handmaid's Tale.

This confusion stems primarily from the striking similarities between Kiernan Shipka and McKenna Grace. Kiernan Shipka, best known for her appearance in Netflix's Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, is more often depicted in the television series with a character full of deep meaning and emotion, immersed in dark narratives. Meanwhile, McKenna Grace demonstrates talent in capturing intense and multifaceted roles.

Adding to the confusion has been Grace's earlier casting for a younger version of Sabrina Spellman in the Riverdale-Sabrina crossover. Given that some viewers are indeed aware of this association, they might be confused associating Shipka with The Handmaid's Tale. However, the similarities of physical features, genre experience, and acting history overlap have fed the misunderstanding.


Distinguishing Their Careers

Kiernan Shipka is one of the fastest-growing stars whose career skyrocketed because of Sally Draper in the hit TV series Mad Men. She revealed a remarkable depth even at that young age. She rose to prominence as a top actress in teen and young adult content by portraying Sabrina Spellman in the supernatural drama.

McKenna Grace, seven years younger than Shipka, has also received immense attention for her acting prowess. She performed the role of Esther Keyes in The Handmaid's Tale, revealing her ability to portray trauma and strength. McKenna has appeared in movies such as Ghostbusters: Afterlife and Gifted, setting her apart from Shipka's work.

Nonetheless, Grace is similar to Shipka due to her versatility in assuming a range of difficult roles.

comment icon
Comment
Edited by Sangeeta Mathew