Hacks season 5 episode 2 has the most hilarious Handmaid's Tale cameo
possible and it'll make you think of spinoff The Testaments in an entirely different way

Date:
Fri, 17 Apr 2026 02:00:00 +0000

Description:
Yes, that is really who you think it is in Hacks season 5 episode 2 and I'm never going to be able to watch The Testaments in the same way again.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Tech Radar Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Become a Member in Seconds Unlock instant access to exclusive member
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your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. You are now subscribed Your newsletter sign-up was successful Join the club Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards. Explore An account already exists for this email address, please log in. Subscribe to our newsletter Picture this: last month, I was sitting in a hotel corridor waiting for my turn to conduct interviews for The Handmaid's Tale spinoff, The Testaments . Inside a nearby room, Lucy Halliday (Daisy), Chase Infiniti (Agnes) and Ann Dowd (Aunt Lydia) are waiting.

I scroll through Instagram on my phone when I notice the below post being suggested to me, posted only six minutes before I sat down.

A post shared by Ann Dowd (@realanndowd)

A photo posted by on Are my eyes deceiving me, or is that Ann Dowd dressed as a blue space creature, hinting that she has a cameo in Hacks ? Article continues below You may like The Testaments review: season 2 of The
Handmaid's Tale spinoff is a given The Testaments release date and everything about The Handmaid's Tale sequel Hacks season 5 is sensational but the best goodbye has already happened

I was right, as Hacks season 5 episode 2 has hilariously just proved. Even before we get into the backstory, I'm not sure I can continue to watch The Testaments on Hulu and believe that Aunt Lydia is holding up the Gilead
regime in the same way. Ann Dowd's alien cameo in Hacks season 5 episode 2 is the unexpected light relief I needed this week Hacks Season 5 | Official Trailer | HBO Max - YouTube Watch On As we learned in the season 5 premiere, Deborah (Jean Smart) believes that the best way to secure her comedic legacy is to headline a sold-out night at Madison Square Gardens... although the arena's PR rep (Alanna Ubach) immediately refuses this in episode 2.

Desperate, Deborah enlists the help of her fanbase affectionately dubbed Little Debbies at a Vegas fan convention to help lobby for her MSG slot. However, they're all sick to the back teeth of her.

While Deborah signs autographs, fans complain that she's got "too Hollywood," out of touch with what the fanbase needs from her. The constant criticism
gets too much to bear, with Deborah stepping outside for some air... only to find a blue Ann Dowd already having a smoke break. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

We don't learn much about Dowd's character (or if she's even playing
herself), yet she has short but sage words of wisdom. "They show up for us,
we support them. That's the frickin' deal, mama," she tells Deborah.

Dowd explains that being honest with her fans about what she needs will help them to feel wanted and useful. "The truth will set you free, baby doll," she continues.

At this point, I'm silently wetting myself. Can you imagine Aunt Lydia speaking to the Gilead girls like she's a guest judge on RuPaul's Drag Race ? Ah, the beauty of acting.

More importantly, Dowd's plan works. Deborah rushes back inside to tell her fans the MSG problem, and they mobilize with a scary amount of outrage. By
the end of the episode that falls short of doxxing Ubach's character Deborah's dream is confirmed.

Onwards and upwards, baby. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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