By Lynn Elber, Television Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) --As "The Handmaid's Tale" returns in April for season four, its creator is reluctant to predict when the dystopian drama will be ready for its final act.
"Every time I come upon a season, I don't have any idea what we're going to do," said Bruce Miller. "And every time I get to the end of the season, I'm thrilled with what we've done …. and I feel like I could go on and on forever."
That's if Elisabeth Moss sticks with the series based on Margaret Atwood's 1985 novel, said Miller. He lavished praise on Moss as a fellow executive producer and a newly minted director for the series, as well as its star.
"I think I can keep going as long as I can rope Lizzie into it," Miller said.
Asked at another point during a virtual Q&A with TV critics Thursday if he considered killing Moss' character, June, last season, his reply was a swift "no."
"The show is called 'The Handmaid's Tale,'" he said. "It's about her."
Miller said he's fascinated by what unfolds in Atwood's 2019 companion novel, "The Testaments," set 15 years later. Whether it's going to be "part of our future, that's a bigger question," he said. Hulu acquired rights to the book with a sequel series in mind.
"The Handmaid's Tale" is already renewed for another season, but the 10-episode arc that begins April 28 doesn't hold back on playing out story lines, Miller said.
"We're delivering," he said. "We were trying to make progress. You know, it was time for (expletive) to happen."
Warren Littlefield, also an executive producer for the show, said this season is about "patience rewarded."
After planting seeds for several years "about this uprising and hotspot in Chicago" that the repressive Gilead regime is unable to control, Littlefield said, the action moves there from what had been "our central universe" near Boston.
In the upcoming season, rebel leader June takes risks and faces new challenges, which could also be said of Moss. She directed three episodes and under trying pandemic-safety conditions.
"I just felt I was up to the task after a few years of watching and learning and working with some really incredible directors," said Moss, who won a best drama actress Emmy in 2017 for "The Handmaid's Tale."
She said she's also come to realize that "the more I have to do, the happier I am."
Mike Pierantozzi joins Movers+Shakers as exec creative director
Creative agency Movers+Shakers has appointed Mike Pierantozzi as executive creative director. In this new role, he will help guide the creative direction of Movers+Shakers’ socially-native campaigns. Pierantozzi will report to co-founder and chief creative officer Geoffrey Goldberg.
With nearly two decades of experience as a copywriter, creative director, and multi-platform storyteller, Pierantozzi brings a wealth of knowledge from his work with major brands including Kraft, Unilever, IBM, and Walmart. He has led the creation of award-winning campaigns for agencies like Red Tettemer, Ogilvy, The Brooklyn Brothers, TAXI, Saatchi & Saatchi, and most recently, Vayner, where he spearheaded culturally iconic work for Planters including “Death of Mr. Peanut.” He led the National Down Syndrome Society and Luvs account, whose “First Kid. Second Kid” campaign was awarded by the Effies, ADC, Clios and LIAs.
Outside of the office, Pierantozzi practices what he teaches brands. He’s gone viral multiple times on his own TikTok account, featuring comedic interactions with his son and a trombone. He’s accumulated 15K followers on TikTok.
“Mike brings a rare and awesome combination of deep social and platform experience, a keen eye for excellent storytelling, and a humble and kind approach to leadership,” said Goldberg. “Mike’s got a knack for turning brand stories into cultural movements, making him the perfect fit for Movers+Shakers. He’s got the kind of bold vision and attention to culture that fits perfectly with our mission to push creative boundaries and drive industry firsts. Plus, as a creator himself he has the innate ability to make people stop, laugh, and share--which is exactly what we’re about.”
“I’ve... Read More