Kat Harlton
Photos: Provided via artist / Poster: Hulu
Few characters in The Testaments have left as lasting an impression as Mrs. Grove. While she begins the series as a supporting player, Kate Hewlett’s quietly powerful performance has transformed the character into one of the show’s biggest breakout favourites. As viewers have followed Mrs. Grove’s heartbreaking journey, social media has filled with praise for Hewlett’s portrayal, with many calling her storyline one of the series’ most emotional and unforgettable.
At the heart of that response is Mrs. Grove’s extraordinary act of maternal sacrifice, a pivotal moment that has sparked passionate discussion among fans and cemented her place as one of the emotional centres of Hulu and Disney+’s acclaimed adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s The Testaments.
We caught up with Hewlett to discuss the remarkable audience reaction to Mrs. Grove, the challenge of bringing such a deeply compassionate character to life, and why her story of motherhood, resilience, sacrifice, and survival has resonated so profoundly with audiences around the world.
Kat: Mrs. Grove wasn’t initially positioned as one of the series’ central figures, yet she’s become one of its most talked-about characters. At what point did you realize audiences were connecting with her in such a profound way?
Kate: Honestly, I didn’t realize audiences were connecting with Mrs. Grove until after the finale. My sister is obsessed with TikTok and she told me that people were talking about the character… a LOT! At that point, I had only ever posted once on Tik Tok (and it was a video of my dog during Covid) so I started sharing more content about the character and the show. It was really beautiful to interact with fans of The Testaments who were mourning the loss of the character. And it was interesting to see how divided they were about her sacrifice.
Kat: Without giving away spoilers, Mrs. Grove makes an extraordinary act of maternal sacrifice. How did you approach portraying such a deeply emotional moment without letting it become melodramatic?
Kate: When you are working with a brilliant script, a phenomenal director, and the best cast on TV… it’s hard to go wrong. Sitting around that table in Ep 10 with Mattea Conforti, Mabel Li and ANN DOWD (pinch me, seriously) is an experience I will never forget. The power, honesty and talent in that circle of women. Wow.
Kat: One of the strengths of The Testaments is that even supporting characters feel fully realized. What details about Mrs. Grove’s inner life did you develop for yourself that viewers may never explicitly see on screen?
Kate: I love this question! I didn’t know much about the character before we started shooting, because she isn’t in the book or the first three episodes of the series. What I did know, though, was the story of her family. I knew about her husband’s despicable behaviour. I knew how difficult that would be for a mother in Gilead who is trying to protect her daughter and stay alive for her. I knew that the Groves were no ordinary Gilead family, that their place in society was not guaranteed. At my first costume fitting, I learned that Dr. and Mrs. Grove had less money than all their friends. The incredible costume designer, Leslie Cavanagh, had dyed my dresses a slightly different shade from the other wives, because my clothes were cheaper than theirs. (Brilliant!) In Episode 4, Daisy says that my character has to be nice to everyone because she’s a “nobody”. Each piece of information provided another stitch in the fabric of Mrs. Grove. I also made some critical decisions with Mattea (Becka) and Randal (Dr. Grove) which informed the character: that I was Becka’s biological mother and that I knew about the abuse but believed it had stopped. I also injected some joy and lightness into Mrs. Grove, because even amidst all the tragedy, she truly loved her daughter. This bond, to me, allowed for moments of glee, pride, warmth and even silliness.
Kat: Margaret Atwood’s world often explores how ordinary people respond to extraordinary oppression. What do you think Mrs. Grove reveals about courage in circumstances where there are no truly good options?
Kate: Truthfully, there was no other choice for Mrs. Grove to make. She had no good options, as you say. To me, the courageous part of her story was how readily she accepted her fate and how passionately she convinced her daughter to do the same. “It’s what should have happened.” With that one line, she forgave (and defended) her daughter’s actions, took accountability for her silence… and offered a glimmer of humanity in Gilead.
Kat: Fans have described your storyline as one of the most heartbreaking in the series. Has reading audience reactions changed the way you think about the impact the character has had?
Kate: I agree that it’s a heartbreaking storyline. I couldn’t stop crying when I read Episode 10. Becka is such a tragic figure who could have had the most beautiful life if she’d grown up somewhere else. She is intelligent, passionate, loving, thoughtful and independent. She deserves the world (and not this one). I think the pain the audience feels for Mrs. Grove stems from their love of Becka, but I have been very moved by their reaction. I didn’t expect a character with so little screen time to have this big of an impact! I feel very honoured to have played her.
Kat: The themes of motherhood, sacrifice, and survival are woven throughout the series. Which of those themes resonated most personally with you while preparing for the role?
Kate: I have played a lot (and I do mean a LOT) of moms, but this is the first time I’ve played one since becoming a mother in real life, so the relationship between Becka and Mrs. Grove hit hard. Every time I looked at Mattea, I saw my daughter grown up. I even had dreams where they were the same person at different stages of life! Through the lens of motherhood, I found it easier to access Mrs. Grove as a character. I understood for the first time that nothing — no conflict, no struggle, no sacrifice — was ever about me. It was always about her. I think the theme of survival also resonated very deeply with me due to the current state of the U.S., where women are once again fighting for basic rights and innocent people are being gunned down in the streets by an illegitimate army. When the Handmaid’s Tale first aired, Gilead felt like a post-apocalyptic dystopian society. Now it just feels like your average Wednesday.
Kat: As an actor, is there a different kind of satisfaction in creating a memorable supporting character compared to carrying a story as the lead?
Kate: I absolutely love playing recurring roles. You get to know the cast and crew so you’re part of the family, but you aren’t holding the show on your shoulders or setting the tone on set. You get all the joy with none of the pressure. And you get to spend more time with your real family! Creating a memorable supporting character is icing on the cake, because you get to do what you love, make an impact…and have time to write TV shows on the side!
Kat: The world of The Handmaid’s Tale and The Testaments has remained culturally relevant for years. Why do you think audiences continue to find new meaning in Margaret Atwood’s dystopian universe?
Kate: Sadly, I don’t think Margaret Atwood’s universe feels all that dystopian anymore. It’s eerie how relevant it is. Terrifying, actually. If The Handmaid’s Tale was a cautionary tale, perhaps The Testaments can be a therapeutic one, as it offers hope for rebellion and real change.
Kat: Some of the most unforgettable television performances come from characters with relatively limited screen time. Did knowing Mrs. Grove had a finite arc influence the choices you made in the role?
Kate: I didn’t know her arc was finite until I read episodes 9 and 10! I was hoping she’d be sipping tea in Season 2 with Becka and Garth. But I’m glad I was kept in the dark, honestly. It allowed me (as the character) to blindly exist, hope for the best, believe things would work out. It allowed me to go on the journey with Mrs. Grove instead of following along from the outside. Fingers crossed for an evil twin or some EPIC flashbacks in Season 2.
Kat: For viewers who are still thinking about Mrs. Grove long after finishing the season, what do you hope they ultimately take away from her story beyond the heartbreak itself?
Kate: I hope her story provides a glimmer of hope and a promise of humanity in Gilead. I hope viewers see how Mrs. Grove’s legacy lives on through Becka, who now fully understands the boundless nature of love.
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