Aunt Lydia From The Handmaid's Tale Is Gorgeous In Real Life

"The Handmaid's Tale" became a huge hit during its six-season run. The tense drama featured an accomplished cast that included Elizabeth Moss and Alexis Bledel. One actor who stole several scenes on the show is Ann Dowd, who played Aunt Lydia. The character of Aunt Lydia is scary and takes no nonsense, striking fear in the audience and the show's characters alike. But Dowd's undeniable talent turns her character into a complex woman who occasionally shows a softer side while still maintaining order. She brings so much depth and emotion to the role, especially in scenes between Aunt Lydia and Janine, another "The Handmaid's Tale" star who's gorgeous in real life. In fact, Dowd is so good at her job that most fans are surprised to learn that she doesn't even remotely resemble Aunt Lydia in real life. 

Dowd has been acting for decades and has appeared in multiple dramatic films, shows, and plays. She became a fan favorite by starring in successes like the movie "Hereditary" and the HBO show "The Leftovers." Her ability to play multi-layered characters has made her a highly respected name in Hollywood. So much so, that she even won an Emmy in 2017 for playing Aunt Lydia. But many don't realize that it wasn't until Dowd was in her 50s that she started booking roles that made her a recognizable face. Now, she's proving how women over 50 can be style icons by looking stunning and elegant on the red carpet, regardless of what they look like on-screen.

You would never know that Ann Dowd is over 70 years old because when she hits the red carpet, she is dressed in tasteful, classic styles that bring out her inner beauty. When "The Handmaid's Tale" began, Dowd would attend red-carpet events and award shows primarily wearing dark neutrals. Floor-length gowns became her go-to but she would occasionally wear an ankle-length dress with comfortable shoes, something every woman in her 60s should have in her closet, according to our personal stylist. Long black dresses with the occasional white or silver embellishments gave Dowd a touch of Old Hollywood glamour that really made her shine. She wore her hair dark in flowing waves, and soon began to experiment more with different patterns, each showing off how gorgeous she is when she's not playing Aunt Lydia. 

Dowd decided to switch up her hairstyle by getting bangs in 2018 and debuting a new, lighter hair color at the 2019 Screen Actors Guild Awards. Since then, Dowd has dyed her hair varying shades of red, including auburn and even strawberry blond. She perfectly showed off how low-contrast browns and red are the best hair colors for older women. And as her hair became more colorful, so too did her dresses. In the years since, Dowd has become more playful with her wardrobe by wearing lighter colors and eye-catching patterns at events and talk-show appearances. She's a great example of how fashion can be fabulous and fun at any age!