Sydney Sweeney became a major star thanks to her television work, though some may not remember her challenging role in The Handmaid’s Tale. She first gained attention with appearances in the teen comedy Everything Sucks! and the HBO miniseries Sharp Objects, but it was her performances in Euphoria and The White Lotus that truly launched her to fame and earned her two Emmy nominations.
The Handmaid’s Tale has been highly recognized at the Emmys, winning 15 awards over its six seasons, including the top prize for Outstanding Drama Series. While the show took liberties with the original Margaret Atwood novel, it still packs the same powerful and unsettling punch as the book, and remains relevant to today’s society. Because of this, it’s surprising that Yvonne Strahovski’s performance in season two isn’t remembered more often.
| Sydney Sweeney’s Notable Television Roles | |
|---|---|
| Title | Role |
| Everything Sucks! (2018) | Emaline Addario |
| The Handmaid’s Tale (2018) | Eden Spencer |
| Sharp Objects (2018) | Alice |
| Euphoria (2019-Present) | Cassie Howard |
| The White Lotus (2021) | Olivia Mossbacher |
Sydney Sweeney Is Haunting In The Handmaid’s Tale
Sydney Sweeney portrays Eden Spencer on The Handmaid’s Tale. Eden, a 15-year-old girl, appears starting in season 2, episode 5, titled “Seeds.” She’s an “Econowife” – a young woman assigned in an arranged marriage to Nick Blaine (played by Max Minghella), who works as a Guardian and driver.
It’s already terrible that Eden was forced into marriage as a child, but she’s been so thoroughly indoctrinated by Gilead that she actually believes becoming an Econowife is a great privilege. Among all the shocking moments in The Handmaid’s Tale, one of the most disturbing is when Eden and Nick finally have sex, even after he initially refused her advances on their wedding night.
Neither Nick nor Eden could legally consent to the sexual activity depicted. Nick wanted a relationship with June, not a child, and Eden was underage – only 20 herself at the time of filming, while the other participant was a minor. Unfortunately, the situation only becomes more problematic for Eden after that.
Eden feels increasingly shut out by Nick, and unexpectedly falls in love with a young Guardian named Isaac. They decide to run away together, even though it’s incredibly dangerous, but they are eventually caught and put on trial. During the trial, Eden boldly refuses to apologize for loving Isaac, and as a result, both she and Isaac are sentenced to death by drowning.
I was really struck by what happened with Eden in the film. While the director, Sweeney, mentioned to Buzzfeed News that the technical challenges of filming the drowning actually helped him cope, it was devastating to watch as an audience member. Eden was such an innocent character, and after everything she endured, that single moment of joy, that brief taste of freedom, ultimately led to her tragic end. It really stayed with me.
Why Sydney Sweeney’s Handmaid’s Tale Role Is More Disturbing Than Euphoria
Sydney Sweeney’s breakout role as Cassie Howard in Euphoria has a lot in common with the character of Eden Spencer. Both women desperately seek love and connection, and unfortunately, they both experience terrible mistreatment – Eden at the hands of the oppressive Gilead regime, and Cassie through harmful relationships, especially with her partner Nate Jacobs (Jacob Elordi).
Even though Cassie’s life isn’t controlled by a harsh government like Eden’s, she still feels trapped by the people around her. Because she’s deeply insecure and afraid of being left alone after her father left, she feels powerless to stop Nate from mistreating her.
Unlike Eden, Cassie has the ability to leave Nate, and even though it’s frustrating to watch her struggle, there’s still a chance she’ll realize she needs to. The trailer for Euphoria season 3 suggests things will get harder—they even get married—but that doesn’t mean a positive outcome is impossible.
Unlike the bleak world of The Handmaid’s Tale, Cassie is now free to make her own choices. After the time jump in Euphoria season 3, she’s grown up and independent. Sadly, Eden wasn’t so fortunate.
Read More
- I Don’t Think We’re Talking Enough About How Predator: Badlands Nails Its Alien Connection
- Alex Russo’s Wizards Beyond Waverly Place Fate Confirmed By Star After Viral Backlash
- Star Trek Timeline Eras Ranked: From Worst To Best
- Netflix’s Lincoln Lawyer Has a Secret Michael Connelly Easter Egg
- Julia Roberts’ After the Hunt Finally Sets Prime Video Release Date
- The Night Manager Return Turns Into a Streaming Sensation
- The Asset Season 2 Must Fix The One Problem With Netflix’s Best New Thriller
- Michael C. Hall’s ‘Safe’ Is Perfect for ‘Dexter’ Fans
- Trump Slams Stephen Colbert After CBS Rerun, Urges Network to Pull ‘The Late Show’ Off the Air Before Cancellation
- The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum Theory, Explained
2026-03-15 21:04