'Handmaid's Tale': Bradley Whitford Explains Why Lawrence Created Gilead and How He's 'Testing' June

(Warning: This post contains spoilers for the first three episodes of Season 3 of “The Handmaid’s Tale”)

Commander Joseph Lawrence is an enigma, even to Bradley Whitford, who plays the character — one of the architects of Gilead — on Season 3 of “The Handmaid’s Tale.”

“The fun thing about this guy, and the horrible thing, is that he is filled with contradictions,” Whitford told TheWrap. “And the basic way I think about this guy is like Robert McNamara, the guy who ran the war in Vietnam for Kennedy and Johnson. He was a brilliant, brilliant businessman and economic thinker who revolutionized the auto industry and then took all that brilliance and exterminated a couple million people in Southeast Asia. And I think Lawrence is a guy with a big brain that has obliterated his humanity. And I think when you meet him, what you are seeing are the unconscious beginnings of his humanity coming back.”

First introduced at the end of the second season, Lawrence helped Emily (Alexis Bledel) escape Gilead with June’s (Elisabeth Moss) baby, and tried to get June out herself at the start of the Season 3 last week, though she decided to stay for her other daughter Hannah. And while those heroic actions might lead you to believe that Lawrence is a man who has realized the error of his ways in helping construct the dystopian society, the trio of episodes that launched the Season 3 prove things are not that simple — especially now that June has moved into his house as his new Handmaid and begun to challenge him in a way he hasn’t been in years.

Also Read: Summer TV Premiere Dates: Here's Every New and Returning Show (Photos)

“I think, you know, he talks about how he likes Emily,” Whitford said. “I think he’s very caught up in his mind about this notion of, not just usefulness, but part of what he likes about her and what is really intriguing to him about June is that he connects with their bravery. But at the same time, I think he is testing June at different points. I think a lesser writer on a lesser show would have someone like Lawrence — who created this horrible situation — would have an epiphany and become an unconflicted champion of the people he had oppressed. But I think in order to do justice to the situation that June is in, I think a character like Lawrence is more realistic. He doesn’t know where this is going to go.”

Lawrence and his wife Eleanor (Julie Dretzin) don’t have June participate in the customary Handmaid ceremony in an attempt to get her pregnant, and he allows Marthas to run an underground railroad of sorts out of his basement. But he also made June dispose of the dead body of one of those Marthas to teach her a lesson about who is in charge.

“Part of the cruelty that comes up in the first couple of episodes, I think, has to do with him testing her to see what she can take,” the actor said. “I think he has a sort of patriarchal, condescending fear that this may be a sentimental mother who is not to be trusted on the potentially dangerous path that they may be on. But he definitely does not have a clear plan and I think he’s sort of constantly in play.”

Also Read: Elisabeth Moss Breaks Down 'Handmaid's Tale' Season 3 Premiere and June's Plan for Serena

While fans have yet to get a clear picture of Lawrence’s past and how his economic theories and writings led the former United States to become Gilead, Whitford would be “absolutely, totally fascinated” to get a backstory episode and has his own ideas about what made his character who he is today.

“I think basically what happened is Lawrence is using right-wing religious forces as a delivery system for his ideas,” he said. “And I think he doesn’t have a lot of respect for them and I think he didn’t realize how crazy this was going to get. But at the same time, he’s very, very defensive about it, which June has to maneuver.”

“He’ll get very defensive with her when she attacks him for what he’s done,” he continued. “And when he gets defensive, his rationale for all of this is, ‘Yes, I’m fully aware of the brutality here, but it was the end of the world. This is chemo and it’s not pleasant. It’s brutal and it’s exactly what we need to save the world.’ It’s kind of pathetic that his way into empathy for what has happened to women there is because his love for his wife is genuine and deep. And I think his only access to the scope of the misery that he’s inflicted is when he sees it in his wife.”

New episodes of “The Handmaid’s Tale” Season 3 launch Wednesdays on Hulu.

Summer TV Premiere Dates: Here's Every New and Returning Show (Photos)

Though summer doesn't officially begin until June 21, Summer TV premieres are just about ready to start airing. We've rounded up the premiere dates for every show returning for a new season, as well as every new show slated to make its debut this summer. From Hulu's "Veronica Mars" revival to the highly-anticipated third season of "Stranger Things," here's everything to keep on your radar and look out for ahead of the Summer 2019 TV season.
Hulu, HBO, Netflix, ABC, Getty Images
“iZombie” (The CW), May 2, 8 p.m.
The CW
"Dead to Me" (Netflix), May 3
Netflix
"Tuca & Bertie" (Netflix), May 3
Netflix
"The Spanish Princess" (Starz), May 5, 8 p.m.
Starz
"The Real Housewives of Potomac" (Bravo), May 5, 9 p.m.
Bravo
"When Calls the Heart" (Hallmark), May 6, 8 p.m.
Hallmark
"Chernobyl" (HBO), May 6, 9 p.m.
HBO
"State of the Union" (Sundance), May 6, 10 p.m.
Sundance
"Lucifer" (Netflix), May 8
Netflix
"Paradise Hotel” (Fox), May 9, 8 p.m.
Fox
"Klepper " (Comedy Central), May 9, 10:30 p.m.
Comedy Central
"Easy" (Netflix), May 10
Netflix
"Sneaky Pete" (Amazon Prime Video), May 10
Amazon
"The Society" (Netflix), May 10
Netflix
“Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” (ABC), May 10, 8 p.m.

ABC
“What Would You Do?” (ABC), May 10, 9 p.m.
ABC
"Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men" (Showtime), May 10, 9 p.m.
Showtime
"Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj" (Netflix), May 12
Netflix
"Our Cartoon President" (Showtime), May 12 at 8 p.m.
Showtime
"Beach Hunters" (HGTV), May 12, 9 p.m.
HGTV
“The Bachelorette” (ABC), May 13, 8 p.m.

ABC
"L.A.’s Finest" (Spectrum), May 13, TBD
Spectrum
"Southern Charm" (Bravo), May 15, 8 p.m.
Bravo
"Wahlburgers" (A&E), May 15, 9 p.m.
A&E
"Catch-22" (Hulu), May 17
Hulu
"Fleabag" (Amazon Prime Video), May 17
Amazon
"Nailed It!" (Netflix), May 17
Netflix
“Beat Shazam” (Fox), May 20, 8 p.m.
Fox
"Pawn Stars" (History), May 20, 10 p.m.
History Channel
“Blood & Treasure” (CBS), May 21, 9 p.m.
CBS
"Vida" (Starz), May 23, TBD
Starz
“Elementary” (CBS), May 23, 10 p.m.
CBS
"She’s Gotta Have It" (Netflix), May 24
Netflix
"What/If" (Netflix), May 24
Netflix
"The Hot Zone" (Nat Geo), May 27, 9 p.m.
National Geographic
“America’s Got Talent” (NBC), May 28, 8 p.m.

NBC
"Animal Kingdom" (TNT), May 28, 9 p.m.
TNT
“Songland” (NBC), May 28, 10 p.m.

NBC
"Chrisley Knows Best" (USA), May 28, 10 p.m.
USA
“American Ninja Warrior” (NBC), May 29, 8 p.m.

NBC
“MasterChef” (Fox), May 29, 8 p.m.
Fox
"Property Brothers: Forever Home" (HGTV), May 29, 9 p.m.
HGTV
"Archer: 1999" (FX), May 29, 10 p.m.
FX
“The InBetween” (NBC), May 29, 10 p.m.
NBC
"Lip Sync Battle" (Paramount), May 30, 9 p.m.
Paramount
"When They See Us" (Netflix), May 31
Netflix
"Good Omens" (Amazon Prime Video), May 31
Amazon
"Swamp Thing" (DC Universe), May 31
DC Universe
"Deadwood: The Movie" (HBO), May 31, 8 p.m.
HBO
“Burden of Truth” (The CW), June 2, 8 p.m.

The CW
"Luther" (BBC America), June 2, 8 p.m.
BBC America
"American Princess" (Lifetime), June 2, 9 p.m.
Lifetime
"Fear the Walking Dead" (AMC), June 2, 9 p.m.
AMC
"NOS4A2" (AMC), June 2, 10 p.m.
AMC
"The Weekly" (FX), June 2, 10 p.m.
FX
"Perpetual Grace, LTD" (Epix), June 2, TBD
Epix
"Below Deck Mediterranean" (Bravo), June 3, 9 p.m.
Bravo
“So You Think You Can Dance” (Fox), June 3, 9 p.m.

Fox
"Dance Moms" (Lifetime), June 4, 8 p.m.
Lifetime
"The Handmaid’s Tale" (Hulu), June 5
Hulu
"Grown-ish" (Freeform), June 5, 8 p.m.
Freeform
"Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City" (Netflix), June 7
Netflix
"Designated Survivor" (Netflix), June 7
Netflix
“The Masters of Illusion” (The CW), June 7, 8 p.m.

The CW
“Celebrity Family Feud” (ABC), June 9, 8 p.m.

ABC
"Good Witch" (Hallmark), June 9, 8 p.m.
Hallmark
“The $100,000 Pyramid” (ABC), June 9, 9 p.m.

ABC
"Big Little Lies" (HBO), June 9, 9 p.m.
HBO
"Claws" (TNT), June 9, 9 p.m.
TNT
"Ripley’s Believe It or Not!" (Travel), June 9, 9 p.m.
Getty Images
“To Tell the Truth” (ABC), June 9, 10 p.m.
ABC
"To Tell the Truth" (ABC), June 9, 10 p.m.
ABC
"Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader" (Nickelodeon), June 10, 7 p.m.
Getty Images
“Dateline NBC” (NBC), June 10, 10 p.m.
NBC
"Pose" (FX), June 11, 10 p.m.
FX
“Press Your Luck” (ABC), June 12, 8 p.m.

ABC
"Deal or No Deal" (CNBC), June 12, 9 p.m.
CNBC
"Queen Sugar" (OWN), June 12, 9 p.m.
OWN
“Card Sharks" (ABC), June 12, 9 p.m.

ABC
"Krypton" (Syfy), June 12, 10 p.m.
Syfy
"Younger" (TV Land), June 12, 10 p.m.
TV Land
“Match Game” (ABC), June 12, 10 p.m.
ABC
"Strange Angel" (CBS All Access), June 13
CBS All Access
"Baskets" (FX), June 13, 10 p.m.
FX
"Los Espookys" (HBO), June 14, 11 p.m.
HBO
"Jessica Jones" (Netflix), June 14
Netflix
“Instinct” (CBS), June 16, 9 p.m.
CBS
"City on a Hill" (Showtime), June 16, 9 p.m.
Showtime
"City on a Hill" (Showtime), June 16
Showtime
"Euphoria" (HBO), June 16, 9 p.m.
HBO
“Penn & Teller: Fool Us” (The CW), June 17, 8 p.m.

The CW
“Whose Line Is It Anyway?” (The CW), June 17, 9 p.m.

The CW
“Grand Hotel” (ABC), June 17, 10 p.m.
ABC
"Good Trouble" (Freeform), June 18, 8 p.m.
Freeform
"Drunk History" (Comedy Central), June 18, 10 p.m.
Comedy Central
"The Detour" (TBS), June 18, 10:30 p.m.
TBS
"Yellowstone" (Paramount), June 19, 10 p.m.
Paramount
"Riviera" (Sundance Now), June 20
Sundance Now
“Holey Moley” (ABC), June 20, 8 p.m.
Getty Images
“The Wall” (NBC), June 20, 8 p.m.
NBC
“Spin the Wheel” (Fox), June 20, 9 p.m.

Fox
“Family Food Fight” (ABC), June 20, 9 p.m.

ABC
“Reef Break” (ABC), June 20, 10 p.m.
Getty Images
"Dark" (Netflix), June 21
Netflix
"Andi Mack" (Disney Channel), June 21, 8 p.m.
Disney Channel
"Legion" (FX), June 24 at 10 p.m.
FX
"The Hills: New Beginnings" (MTV), June 24, TBD
MTV
"Big Brother" (CBS), June 25 and 26, 8 p.m.
CBS
"What Just Happened" (Fox), June 30, 9:30 p.m.
Fox
"The Rook" (Starz), June 30
Starz
"The Loudest Voice" (Showtime), June 30, TBD
Showtime
"Young Justice: Outsiders" (DC Universe), July 2
DC Universe
"Stranger Things" (Netflix), July 4
Stranger Things
“Bring the Funny” (NBC), July 9, 10 p.m.
NBC
"Harlots" (Hulu), July 10
Harlots
"Snowfall" (FX), July 10, 10 p.m.

FX
"Siren" (Freeform), July 11, 8 p.m.
Freeform
“Hollywood Game Night” (NBC), July 11, 9 p.m.

NBC
“The Outpost” (The CW), July 11, 9 p.m.

The CW
"Sweetbitter" (Starz), July 14
Starz
"Suits" (USA), July 17, 9 p.m.
USA
"Pearson" (USA) July 17 at 10 p.m.
USA
"Listing Impossible" (CNBC), July 25, 10 p.m.
CNBC
Cash Pad (CNBC) July 25, 9 p.m.
CNBC
"Orange Is the New Black" (Netflix), July 26
Netflix
"The Boys" (Amazon Prime Video), July 26
Amazon Prime Video
"Light as a Feather" (Hulu), July 26
Hulu
"Veronica Mars" (Hulu), July 26
Hulu
"Pennyworth" (Epix), July 28, 9 p.m.
Epix
"Bachelor in Paradise” (ABC), July 29, 8 p.m.
ABC
"Four Weddings and a Funeral" miniseries (Hulu), July 31
MGM
"Preacher" (AMC), August 4, TBD
AMC
"BH90210" (Fox), August 7, 9 p.m.
Fox
"GLOW" (Netflix), August 9
Netflix
"The Terror: Infamy" (AMC), August 12, 9 p.m.
AMC
"Lodge 49" (AMC), August 12, 10 p.m.
AMC
"Power" (Starz), August 25
Starz
"Jay Leno’s Garage" (CNBC), August 28, 10 p.m.
CNBC

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From Hulu’s ”Veronica Mars“ revival to ”Stranger Things“ season 3

Though summer doesn't officially begin until June 21, Summer TV premieres are just about ready to start airing. We've rounded up the premiere dates for every show returning for a new season, as well as every new show slated to make its debut this summer. From Hulu's "Veronica Mars" revival to the highly-anticipated third season of "Stranger Things," here's everything to keep on your radar and look out for ahead of the Summer 2019 TV season.

View In Gallery

Summer TV Premiere Dates: Here's Every New and Returning Show (Photos)

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