Don’t Panic? The Handmaids of “The Handmaid’s Tale” Have Taken Over Australia

If you spotted some women in scarlet cloaks and what look to be the human version of a ‘cone of shame’ this morning, relax: It was just to promote a television show.

SBS is celebrating this week’s launch of The Handmaid’s Tale on their streaming service by bringing the show’s modern-day dystopia to life.

A fleet of ladies, dressed in character, caught the train to Martin Place in Sydney, where they enjoyed some mandarins and light oppression.

SO excited to binge watch #TheHandmaidsTale on @SBSOnDemand . Can't wait to stream it all from start to finish!!! #SBSOnDemand pic.twitter.com/knj3s6BJLx

— Harry Cook (@HarryCook) July 6, 2017

The show, based on Margaret Atwood’s chilling novel of the same name, centers on Offred (Elisabeth Moss) and the few remaining fertile women in America, who have effectively been enslaved and forced to procreate.

So, yeah, not a barrel of laughs.

Though SBS’ army of Handmaids were just dressing up for funsies, women in America have donned the costume to protest their government’s attempts to slash the funding of Planned Parenthood.

All ten episodes of the first season are now available on SBS On Demand. It’s worth your time, but don’t be fooled by the playful promotional stunt: It’s pretty hard-going.

But on the bright side, Atwood has asked for a Drake cameo in Season 2, so that’s something.

Photo: Twitter (@SBSOnDemand)