Are you excited for the premiere of Hulu’s newest original show “The Handmaid’s Tale”? You should be now that the TV critics have chimed in and honored it with a jawdropping 99 score at MetaCritic. Based on the 1985 novel of the same name by Margaret Atwood, the drama stars Elisabeth Moss as Offred, the titular handmaid who serves her master Fred, played by Joseph Fiennes in a dystopian future. The first three episodes will stream on Hulu April 26, with forthcoming episodes debuting each week. Check out some of the glowing critics’ reviews below, and then join the discussion about this and more with your fellow TV fans in our forums.

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Daniel Fienberg (Hollywood Reporter): “A beautifully produced speculative thriller, a cautionary tale worthy of praise particularly for Elisabeth Moss’ lead performance and for perhaps being Hulu’s first essential original.”

Liz Shannon Miller (Indiewire): “‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ is a haunting confluence of tenses. It’s also one of the best shows of the year so far, at times hard to watch but impossible to ignore.”

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Kimberly Roots (TV Line): “The stellar cast … includes ‘Gilmore Girls” Alexis Bledel, ‘Chuck’s’ Yvonne Strahovski, ‘The Leftovers” Ann Dowd and ‘Orange Is the New Black’s’ Samira Wiley. The excellent team behind the scenes … includes writer Bruce Miller (‘The 100’) and director Reed Morano (‘Looking’), who helmed the first three episodes.”

Todd VanDerWerff (Vox): “The first thing you’ll note about ‘The Handmaid’s Tale,’ perhaps based on the description, or perhaps just in general, is that it’s ‘timely.’ At this moment in history, fears about authoritarian religious conservative leadership in the US are ever-present for many.”

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