In the sixth season of The Handmaid's Tale, New Bethlehem emerged as a significant entity after its introduction in the previous season. Overseen by Commander Lawrence, played by Bradley Whitford, this area was intended to present a more benevolent face of the oppressive Gilead regime, reports the Mirror US.
It was touted as a sanctuary where Gilead refugees could return, promising a kinder, gentler version of the government, with Serena Joy, played by Yvonne Strahovski, collaborating with Commander Lawrence to promote this image to the world.
New Bethlehem's exact location within Gilead is not explicitly stated but can be inferred from various clues throughout the series. Commander Lawrence described it as a "modernised, strategically liberalised island" within Gilead's territory, where women would enjoy freedoms such as reading, writing, working, and wearing trousers, and there would be no handmaids or hangings.
The size of New Bethlehem was likened to that of Hong Kong, indicating it is a substantial area.
Although the precise location is not specified, it is believed to be situated near Boston, where Commander Lawrence is based. The proximity to Boston is also suggested by the presence of other characters in the area, including Aunt Lydia, played by Ann Dowd, and Commander Wharton, played by Josh Charles, who frequently visits Serena.
This implies that New Bethlehem and Boston are not significantly far apart, reinforcing the theory about its location. In terms of real-world geography, New Bethlehem could potentially be located within the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area, which includes Spectacle Island, Georges Island and Peddocks Island.
Alternatively, it could be situated further afield on Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard.
Despite The Handmaid's Tale being set in a dystopian version of the USA, the Hulu series is actually filmed in Canada. According to Atlas of Wonders and Reddit, scenes for New Bethlehem were shot at the Crystal Beach Tennis and Yacht Club on Lake Erie in Ontario, Canada.
This location serves as a boundary between America and Canada, with the site being roughly 20 minutes from international border crossings along the Niagara River and offering access to several airports and railway stations. In the context of The Handmaid's Tale, this proximity to the Canadian border would facilitate the return of refugees.
The Crystal Beach Tennis and Yacht Club on Lake Erie was originally a religious campground in 1888, where entertainment and sideshow performances were introduced between sermons. This historical background seems fitting for The Handmaid's Tale, given the series' religious themes.
By 1890, The Crystal Beach Company was established by a group of investors who gradually introduced fairground amusements and constructed a pier for a ferry service.
A hotel, dance hall, ballroom, rollerskating rink, funhouse, and a miniature railway once graced the park before it closed its doors in 1989. The site was then sold and transformed into the residential community known today, boasting 151 residential lots and described as a "family focused community" with a "strong social network".
The Handmaid’s Tale season 6 airs on Prime Video and Channel 4 on Saturdays in the UK
