Wondering who the Wheelers, Alanis and Ryan, are in The Handmaid’s Tale and how they shape the story? Introduced in Season 5, the influential couple brings new challenges and tensions, particularly for Serena Joy Waterford. Their wealth, beliefs, and actions make the Wheelers a significant force in the series.
Here’s a look at the Wheelers’ role, motivations, and impact on The Handmaid’s Tale.
Here’s what you need to know about Alanis and Ryan Wheeler in The Handmaid’s Tale
Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler are introduced in The Handmaid’s Tale season 5 as Canadian citizens who sympathize with Gilead.
Alanis Wheeler, played by Genevieve Angelson, and Ryan Wheeler, played by Lucas Neff, live near the Gilead-Canada border and support the totalitarian regime despite residing in a democratic country. Their wealth allows them to maintain a secluded lifestyle and influence events within Canada.
Following Fred Waterford’s death, Serena Joy Waterford is sent to Canada, where she initially stays at the Gilead Cultural Center. When it becomes unsafe, the Wheelers take her into their home, presenting themselves as allies. Alanis initially reveres Serena, celebrating her pregnancy and her past role in Gilead society. However, as Serena begins to assert independence, the Wheelers impose strict control over her movements.
The Wheelers hold different beliefs; Alanis devoutly follows Gilead’s religious doctrines, while Ryan values its power structure. Alanis embraces Gilead’s customs, inviting women to touch Serena’s stomach and praying for the baby. Ryan, however, mocks religious phrases, showing his focus on dominance over faith.
Over time, the Wheelers strip Serena of her autonomy. They deny her a phone, confine her to their home, and arrange in-house medical care to control her. They make it clear they plan to keep both Serena and her child, replicating Gilead’s treatment of Handmaids.
Alanis holds the dominant role in their relationship, driving their shared vision of a Gilead-like household in Canada. Ryan supports their goals but appears wary of Alanis’s fervor. Their control over Serena exemplifies their commitment to Gilead’s ideology beyond its borders.
Originally reported by Vritti Johar on Comingsoon.
