Five Fast Facts About Aunt Lydia on The Handmaid’s Tale

There are many evil people in the world of The Handmaid’s Tale, but Aunt Lydia may be the most hated woman of all. Though she claims to love and care for all of her girls, she’s not afraid to make them pay if they step out of line.

While we’ve seen her do some pretty heinous things to some of the women, there’s still a lot people don’t know about her. From her family life to her job description, here are five fast facts about Lydia (Ann Dowd).

She Has Family
Though she’s never been married (as far as we know), Lydia does have a family. She revealed in a recent episode that she has a sister and that she was a godmother to her niece, though that child is now dead.

Teacher First
Most people do not understand what Aunt Lydia’s job actually is, but it turns out she’s technically just a teacher. She works at the Rachel and Leah Center and educates Handmaids about their future.

Favorite Handmaid
While Lydia has never explicitly revealed her favorite, it’s fairly clear she has a soft spot in her heart for Janine. Though Janine rebelled, lost her eye as a result, and went a bit crazy, Lydia has always supported Janine and wants the best for her.

Not Afraid of Torture
Despite “loving” her Handmaids, Lydia is not afraid to make them pay for their wrongdoings. Whether it’s making them sit outside in the rain or burning their arm on a stove, she’ll do whatever it takes to make them understand their place.

Still Kickin’
Despite nearly being killed by Emily last year, Lydia is still alive. Though fans didn’t see the aftermath of her attack in Season 2, the writers and showrunners have confirmed she’ll be in Season 3.