HuluThe Handmaid’s Tale Season 6 has made its debut on Hulu, showing Gilead ushering in a new era thanks to the realization of Commander Joseph Lawrence’s New Bethlehem.
In Season 6 Episode 2, Serena Joy finds her calling heading up the new territory. Initially, she wants to stay at the religious commune in Canada, but when Lawrence tells her it’s only a matter of time before the Wheelers show up to take Noah, she decides to leave.
Lawrence later says he needs Serena to help him drive change in Gilead. “We broke this country and now we need to fix it,” he says.
Although New Bethlehem spells disaster for what’s left of the US government, there’s no denying it’s far more picturesque than mainland Gilead. Following the Hulu show’s premiere, it’s sparked questions about the location.
Where is New Bethlehem?
HuluIn The Handmaid’s Tale, New Bethlehem is described as a “modernized, strategically liberalized island” in Gilead territory. Although its exact location hasn’t been revealed, it’s believed to be near Boston.
The area itself is beautiful, and looks nothing like the grim, grey cities of Gilead we’ve come to know. Instead, it’s an idyllic coastal settlement by the water, with charming, well-kept homes and leafy streets that offer up a false sense of peace.
The houses are modest but picturesque, with wooden, bright exteriors. Lawrence came up with the idea for New Bethlehem, as he believes it will not only right the wrongs of Gilead’s reign of terror but also improve international relations.
It came at a perfect time for Canada, where anti-American refugee sentiment has reached boiling point. New Bethlehem is a place for refugees to stay and be reunited with their loved ones.
Gileadean criminal and social laws do not apply here, meaning no handmaids or hangings. Meanwhile, women are allowed to write, read, and work. There’s just one major issue: New Bethlehem doesn’t erase what Gilead has done or what it continues to do.
Terrible things have happened on the mainland, and they’re still happening. This so-called “liberalized” outpost may offer certain freedoms, but it’s ultimately a propaganda tool, not a revolution.
Plus, as Tuello points out in The Handmaid’s Tale Season 6 Episode 1, the US Government-In-Exile is on the verge of getting shut down, and New Bethlehem could be the final nail in the coffin.
“The cabinet wants to start normalizing relations with Gilead,” he says. “That would mean derecognizing the United States.”
How to visit The Handmaid’s Tale location in real life
Creative CommonsNew Bethlehem’s real-life filming location is the Crystal Beach lakefront community of Fort Erie, Ontario, a quiet Canadian town known for its sandy shoreline and laid-back atmosphere.
According to Visit Niagara Canada, the summer destination, also known as Bay Beach, is welcome to locals and visitors alike. “Bay Beach has a vast sandy area with beautiful clear water where locals and visitors can enjoy a relaxing day at the beach,” it states.
The area has undergone extensive renovations, with features including a washroom facility, playground, pavilion, festival square, beach mats, viewing decks, and an accessible ramp to the beach.
If you want to visit yourself, it’s very affordable, with day passes starting at $5 per person and free for children. Praise be!
The Handmaid’s Tale Season 6 Episodes 1-3 are streaming on Hulu now, with Episode 4 set to drop on April 15.
Until then, check out our recap to Season 6 Episode 3, read about the Nick plot hole that needs fixing, and find more new TV shows to stream this month.
