Madeline Brewer has been nominated for a 2021 Emmy Award for her portrayal of Janine Lind. Handmaid’s Tale (Returned to Hulu for Season 5 on Sept. 14.) While viewers have watched Janine work through trauma after trauma in Gilead, the show’s focus is on getting her son Caleb underwent at a clinic before giving birth. It also revealed some of the character’s backstory before he became Ofwarren, including safe and legal abortions that he had. overturned Roe v. Wade case Millions of people across the United States have lost their reproductive freedom. This frightening change prompted Brewer to share: Instagram post, She also had an off-screen abortion when she was 20.
I was 20 when I got pregnant. I had just graduated from acting school and was living in Queens, New York. I auditioned as much as I could while working two jobs at a Midtown restaurant and Victoria’s Secret. Incredibly common, I didn’t realize I was pregnant until a few weeks later. Not only was my body exposed to the stress of work and auditions, but I also had undiagnosed anxiety, depression, and an eating disorder. I continued my life as usual, going out drinking with my friends. I auditioned and booked for some sort of “streaming” series on Netflix (the DVD company?). orange is the new black It was my first gig.
Looking back on those months of my life, I am so grateful for Tricia for her life-changing work and beautiful character. It’s a life I’m very proud of. But the overwhelming emotion I remember from those months is fear. Anxiety completely ruled my life. He controlled every moment, every step, every breath. And it was during this time that I had to make a big life decision: abortion. Growing up, I never saw media or entertainment discuss abortion in a way that portrayed my character’s decision. story of a maid. On my screen and in the world around me, abortion It was a hushed, shameful word.
I was absolutely certain I wasn’t ready to have children. I knew it subconsciously then, but now I know it very clearly. I felt terribly sick, unhealed and unhappy.
I had an abortion at a clinic in New Jersey. I was too far away to take medicine at home, so it was an office procedure. We were both a little apprehensive, but relieved. We talked about our decisions and our experiences. She had a one year old child. She knew she couldn’t give another child the life she deserved with one so young in her home, and I admired her. She was making her decisions not only for herself, but for the health and happiness of her children, and I think of her a lot, especially when we talk about Janine. The next morning I took the train back to New York for work that night.
