Joseph Fiennes has been cast in Hulu’s adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s award-winning novel, The Handmaid’s Tale.

American streaming service Hulu announced on Tuesday that Joseph will play Commander Fred Waterford opposite Elisabeth Moss in the miniseries, which is set to begin production this autumn.

Joseph will take the male lead in The Handmaid's Tale (Chris Pizzello/AP/PA)
Joseph will take the male lead in The Handmaid’s Tale (Chris Pizzello/AP/PA)

The Handmaid’s Tale is a story about dystopian life in the dictatorship of Gilead, where women are treated as property of the state.

Elisabeth plays Offred, a woman forced into sexual slavery to help repopulate their community, while Joseph’s character rules the house where Offred is a handmaid.

Elisabeth Moss also stars (Evan Agostini/AP/PA)
Elisabeth Moss also stars (Evan Agostini/AP/PA)

The 10-episode series is set to premiere next year.