The Handmaid’s Tale teases arrival of Pearl Girls – terrifying missionaries and spies recruiting women beyond Gilead

GILEAD has got a brand new weapon up its sleeves, and it isn’t contained to its current territories.

The Handmaid’s Tale left fans on the edge of their seats in season 3 as June Osborne (Elisabeth Moss) pulled off a mass child smuggling, the likes of which the theocracy has never seen before.

After sneaking dozens of children onto a plane bound for Canada, June has got her sights firmly set on bringing Gilead down from the inside.

But while she’s got her attention on the regime’s inner workings, the fascist state is looking outwards, hoping to extend recruitment beyond its borders.

Margaret Atwood’s sequel novel The Testaments sees the introduction of Pearl Girls, who serve the likes of Aunt Lydia and her counterparts.

These missionaries, who work in pairs, travel beyond the borders of Gilead to conscript women from abroad.

They aren’t allowed to travel alone on the grounds that they may be persuaded to seek asylum in foreign nations if they’re not held accountable by a partner.

Targeting the isolated and vulnerable, they have a particular interest in fertile women who can play into Gilead’s system of forced reproduction.

Lydia got the ruling class of commanders on board with the initiative by claiming it would be good PR for the nation, promoting the idea that women aren’t completely subjugated and how key roles to play.

They even dress in luxe silver dresses and wear pearls to attract attention – a far cry from the modest garb of Aunts and Handmaids.

On top of recruitment, the Pearl Girls also serve as spies, gathering intelligence on Gilead’s foes and maintaining a line of communication with operatives working overseas.

While they haven’t been officially confirmed for season 4, given how closely former series have riffed off of the novel, it seems likely.

Elsewhere in The Testaments, it is hinted that Fred Waterford is murdered as his nefarious crimes catch up with him.