The Handmaid’s Tale star Elisabeth Moss: ‘I always try to make my characters represent feminism’

Moss has played numerous iconic roles over the years including Peggy in Mad Men and June in Margaret Atwood’s dystopic drama

Elisabeth Moss has said she always wants her characters to “end up being heroines and representing feminism”.

The actor has had a string of roles that see her characters go on a journey from victimhood to self-empowerment, including trailblazing secretary Peggy in Mad Men and June, a woman enslaved for her womb in The Handmaid’s Tale.

“I always try to make my characters end up being heroines and representing feminism,” Moss told The Times.

“I try to make them real, whether it’s representing a woman in the workplace or a mother. They’re just like you and me – not special, not perfect. Nobody is 100% good all of the time.”

She added: “We don’t have special powers. We’re women and we’re human. But real women who are not perfect can find their strength, whether that’s getting out of a bad relationship, telling your boss you want a pay rise or marching on the capital in a red costume.”

The third series of The Handmaid’s Tale has just come to a close on Channel 4, but Moss can next be seen in the film The Kitchen, which is released in cinemas on 20 September.