Share

cover art for The Handmaid’s Tale Sound Design: Podcast Interview With Supervising Sound Editor & Sound Designer

Geektown Radio - TV News, Interviews & UK TV Air Dates

The Handmaid’s Tale Sound Design: Podcast Interview With Supervising Sound Editor & Sound Designer

In this episode of the Geektown Behind The Scenes podcast, we're heading into the world of Gilead to explore the incredible sound design of The Handmaid’s Tale, now airing its sixth and final season on Channel 4 & Prime Video in the UK, and Hulu in the US.

Host Dave Elliott is joined by David McCallum, supervising sound editor specialising in dialogue and ADR, and Brennan Mercer, sound designer and sound effects editor. Together, they reveal how the sound of The Handmaid’s Tale is crafted — from the oppressive quiet of Gilead to the chaos of refugee trains.

We talk about:

  • How ADR and sound effects shape character and emotion
  • Elisabeth Moss’s passion for sound as a director
  • Creating motifs like the "Gilead theme" with tape delay
  • The intense work behind the infamous “milk train” scene
  • Why subtle sound design can be more powerful than big effects

Whether you're into sound design, filmmaking, or just love The Handmaid’s Tale, this is a fascinating deep dive into one of TV’s most uniquely crafted soundscapes.

🔊 Listen now, and don’t forget to subscribe for more behind-the-scenes episodes!

More episodes

View all episodes

  • Geektown Radio 483: Ghost of Yōtei, Rematch, Pluribus & The Game Awards Fallout

    01:02:15|
    Dave is joined by Matt for another packed episode of Geektown Radio, covering new games, returning TV favourites, and one of the biggest nights in the gaming calendar.Matt shares hands-on impressions of Ghost of Yōtei, Sucker Punch’s follow-up to Ghost of Tsushima, and talks about Rematch, the arcade-style football game from the creators of Sifu. Both hosts are still enjoying Vince Gilligan’s slow-burn sci-fi series Pluribus.A major part of the episode is dedicated to The Game Awards, where Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 dominated the night, GTA VI was the inevitable “Most Anticipated” winner, No Man’s Sky continued its redemption arc, and reveals included LEGO Batman, Larian’s new Divinity, James Bond, and multiple Star Wars projects.Dave also catches up on Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2, talks about the return of Fallout for Season 2, and updates listeners on Geekstorians, Geektown Talks To…, and the Geektown Awards.Plus, all the latest TV news, renewals, air dates, and what’s coming to UK screens next week.⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Intro and what’s coming up 02:05 – Matt on Ghost of Yōtei (early impressions) 08:40 – Rematch and why it feels different from traditional football games 13:55 – Catching up with Pluribus 18:45 – The Game Awards discussion begins 19:30 – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 sweeping the awards 23:40 – How Expedition 33 compares to Baldur’s Gate 3 26:20 – Big games missing out on awards 28:15 – Sports categories and accessibility eyebrow-raisers 30:10 – GTA VI and why everyone is terrified of its release window 32:30 – No Man’s Sky winning Best Ongoing Game 35:00 – Announcements: LEGO Batman, James Bond, Larian’s Divinity 38:40 – Star Wars reveals, including Fate of the Old Republic 43:00 – What wasn’t shown at The Game Awards 45:15 – Dave’s updates: Geekstorians, Geektown Talks To…, Geektown Awards 49:00 – Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2 51:30 – Fallout Season 2 return 53:20 – TV news, renewals and air dates 57:40 – Highlights for next week on UK TV 59:20 – Outro and where to find everything
  • Geektown Talks To... Composer Greg Nicolett: Scoring The Sneetches, Talon and the Art of Musical Experimentation

    37:02|
    In this episode of Geektown Talks To…, Dave sits down with composer Greg Nicolett, whose work spans Disney animation, award-nominated game scores, sci-fi pilots and experimental live action projects. Greg talks about blending orchestral writing with unexpected sounds, from kazoos and chipmunk-style vocals in Dr. Seuss’s The Sneetches, to amplified cellos and duduk in Talon, and even a bowed one-string guitar for the horror feature Dead of Night.Greg shares how a viral collaboration with Shia LaBeouf led him into Disney’s animation world, how he approaches world-building through music, and why video games offer a unique creative space. He also discusses the influence of composers such as John Williams and Trent Reznor, the challenge of scoring emotionally dark material while raising a family, and his ongoing search for new sonic ideas.If you enjoy this interview, you can hear more behind-the-scenes conversations right here on Geektown Talks To…, as well as weekly TV news and reviews on Geektown Radio, and deep dive storytelling on Geekstorians, our documentary podcast exploring the history of geek culture.Listen, subscribe and explore more at Geektown.co.uk.
  • 2. Geekstorians Episode 2: When Comics Grew Up

    33:12||Season 1, Ep. 2
    In Episode 2 of Geekstorians, Dave from Geektown explores how comic books made the leap from pulp entertainment to serious storytelling. The episode traces the long road from the restrictions of the Comics Code and the rise of underground comix to the British invasion of the 1980s and the landmark releases that changed everything.Along the way, it looks at the forces that shaped the medium, from political satire and counterculture to literary ambition and creative risk. The story leads up to the arrival of books like Watchmen, The Dark Knight Returns and Maus, and the legacy that followed in film, television and modern graphic fiction.A thoughtful, accessible deep dive into the moment comics truly grew up, told with the usual mix of research, atmosphere and Geektown warmth.
  • Geektown Radio 482: ‘Landman’, ‘Spartacus: House of Ashur’, ‘Son of the Soil’, ‘Stranger Things 5’ & The Warner Bros. Takeover Battle

    01:01:43|
    In Geektown Radio Episode 482, Dave is joined by Domingos for a brilliantly packed show filled with premieres, screenings, reviews and some truly seismic entertainment news.Domingos has been out covering events for Geektown, including: • The UK Premiere of ‘Landman’ Season 2, featuring Billy Bob Thornton, Demi Moore, Ali Larter and rising stars like Kayla Wallace, Paulina Chávez and Jacob Lofland. • The launch of ‘Spartacus: House of Ashur’, complete with cast Q&A and gladiatorial spectacle. • The Nigerian–British action thriller ‘Son of the Soil’, shot entirely in Lagos.We also dive into the long-awaited arrival of ‘Stranger Things’ Season 5, which brings new characters, returning favourites, and a breakout comedic performance from Jake Connelly.Dave discusses the success of the Doctor Who spinoff ‘War Between the Land and the Sea’, which has recorded some of the BBC’s strongest drama overnights of the year, plus updates on the Geektown Awards and the launch of the new Geekstorians podcast.In TV news, we cover the week’s renewals, air-date announcements, and a huge developing story: the escalating billion-dollar bidding war for Warner Bros. Discovery, with Netflix, Paramount/Skydance and Comcast all in the mix.We also highlight upcoming UK TV for the next seven days, including Dark Winds, Percy Jackson & The Olympians, Man Vs Baby, Tomb Raider, The Revenge Club, Irish Blood, and My Next Guest Needs No Introduction.Links & ExtrasVote now in the Geektown Awards 2025: https://www.geektown.co.uk/awards/ Listen to Geekstorians, our new documentary-style geek-culture podcast: https://www.geektown.co.uk/category/geekstorians/ Daily UK TV premiere updates and the latest news: https://www.geektown.co.uk
  • 1. Geekstorians Episode 1: The Birth of Fandom

    34:31||Season 1, Ep. 1
    In the first episode of Geekstorians, Dave from Geektown travels back to the early days of science fiction to explore how fandom really began. Long before Comic-Con and long before the internet, readers were already finding each other through magazine letter pages, homemade zines and the earliest fan clubs and meet-ups. These small creative communities laid the foundations for the fandoms we know today.The episode looks at how those early fans connected, how ideas spread around the world and how the first generation of sci-fi readers helped shape everything that came after. From the rise of pulp magazines to the birth of fan culture in the 1930s, it shows how passion, curiosity and a love of stories built the roots of modern geek culture.Geekstorians blends storytelling, research and sound design to uncover the often forgotten history behind the worlds we love. This is where the story of fandom begins.Along with Geekstorians popping up on the Geektown Radio feed, Geekstorians also has its own dedicated feed. Just search for "Geekstorians" wherever you get your podcasts!
  • Geektown Radio: The 2025 Geektown Awards Launch Special

    01:12:06|
    It is that time of year again. The 2025 Geektown Awards are live, which means Dave is joined by Matt and Gray for the annual long list showdown. Together, we take the sprawling list of eligible TV shows, films and video games from the last twelve months and cut it down into the final shortlist that you can now vote for on the site.Across the episode, we work through every category, debating what deserves a place, what should be sacrificed, and which titles surprised us along the way. Expect passionate arguments, surprise saves, reluctant removals, and the usual chaos that comes with trying to squeeze a full year of entertainment into a tidy voting form.You will hear us break down the big returning dramas, celebrate the best new sci-fi and fantasy, wrestle with an overstuffed game of the year list, and look ahead to the most anticipated releases of 2026. The full conversation covers everything from Black Doves to Foundation, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 to Wake Up Dead Man, and a whole lot more.Once you have listened, you can cast your votes in the 14th Annual Geektown Awards and enter the MASSIVE prize giveaway. Vote now at: https://www.geektown.co.uk/awards/Follow Geektown for all the latest TV news and air date info at geektown.co.uk, and find our usual reviews, features and updates across the Geektown Radio feed.
  • Geektown Radio 481: ‘A Man on the Inside’ S2, ‘Mayor of Kingstown’, ‘Keeper’ and del Toro’s ‘Frankenstein’

    01:05:36|
    Dave is joined by Matt for another lively episode of Geektown Radio, diving into what they have been watching and playing this week.Dave reviews the second season of Netflix’s undercover comedy ‘A Man on the Inside’, and continues his journey through ‘Mayor of Kingstown’ Season 4. Matt has completed Double Fine’s wonderfully odd indie adventure ‘Keeper’, featuring a lighthouse with legs and a bird called Twig. He also shares his thoughts on Guillermo del Toro’s newly released ‘Frankenstein’, now streaming on Netflix.They round things off with a packed week of TV news including renewals, cancellations, Line of Duty’s official return, major Game of Thrones updates, the bidding war for Warner Bros Discovery, and Amazon MGM ordering a brand new ‘Stargate’ series.Plus, the highlights coming to UK screens over the next seven days.⏱️ Timestamps:00:00 – Intro and catching up 01:05 – Matt’s week: finishing Keeper 08:26 – Matt’s review of Keeper (Double Fine) 14:20 – Matt watching Frankenstein (Netflix) 17:14 – Dave’s review of A Man on the Inside Season 2 (Netflix) 20:33 – Dave catching up on Mayor of Kingstown Season 4 24:11 – Dave on Anno 117 and looking ahead to Surviving Mars: Relaunched 27:20 – TV and film news: cancellations and renewals 30:40 – Line of Duty Series 7 news 33:10 – Game of Thrones universe updates 35:05 – Bidding war for Warner Bros Discovery 37:00 – Amazon orders new Stargate series 41:23 – Other TV news and pickups 47:50 – Highlights for next week on UK TV 51:18 – Outro and where to find everyone online
  • Geektown Radio 480: ‘Predator: Badlands’, ‘The Running Man’, ‘House of Dynamite’ and ‘Anno 117’

    57:57|
    Dave is joined by Darryl for a packed new episode of Geektown Radio, covering the latest films, TV shows, gaming releases and entertainment news.This week they review Netflix’s political thriller ‘House of Dynamite’, the inventive franchise shake-up ‘Predator: Badlands’, Edgar Wright’s new adaptation of ‘The Running Man’, and Ubisoft’s Roman-era city builder ‘Anno 117’.They also chat about the Canadian procedural ‘Allegiance’ and continue their look at Apple TV’s ambitious sci-fi drama ‘Pluribus’.The news section includes updates on renewals, cancellations, premiere dates, new Prime Video series for 2026, the return of Luther, DC’s DC Crime, and a new V For Vendetta adaptation. As always, they finish with highlights coming to UK screens next week.Timestamps:00:00 – Intro and catch-up 01:05 – Darryl’s reviews begin 01:10 – House of Dynamite (Netflix) 03:30 – Predator: Badlands (Cinema) 07:00 – The Running Man (Cinema) 13:00 – Darryl’s book pick: Restarting the Apocalypse 17:00 – Dave’s reviews begin 17:15 – 9-1-1: Nashville 22:00 – Allegiance (U&Alibi) 25:00 – Pluribus (Apple TV) 26:40 – Anno 117 (PC/Console) 32:15 – TV News: cancellations and renewals 34:00 – Poker Face update and Peter Dinklage casting 36:40 – Alien: Earth renewal 39:00 – Outlander final season date 40:15 – The War Between the Land and the Sea premiere date 41:00 – Prime Video’s 2026 lineup 46:45 – New Luther film and DC updates 53:30 – Highlights for next week on UK TV 56:00 – Where to find Darryl, Domingos, Matt and Geektown online 57:45 – Outro
  • Geektown Radio 479: ‘Celebrity Traitors’, ‘Pluribus’, ‘Girl Bands Forever’ & ‘Juice’

    53:16|
    Dave is joined by Gray for another packed episode of Geektown Radio, covering everything from reality TV mayhem to mind-bending sci-fi and pop nostalgia.They chat about the incredible ‘Celebrity Traitors’ finale, Apple TV’s ambitious new series ‘Pluribus’, Channel 4’s candid music doc ‘Girl Bands Forever’, and BBC’s surreal comedy ‘Juice’.There’s also a full run through the latest TV and film news, including Doctor Who, The Night Manager, Watson, Safe Houses, Y: Marshals, and even a Miss Piggy movie in development.Plus, the usual highlights for the week ahead on UK TV.⏱️ Timestamps:00:00 – Intro and catch-up 01:00 – What Gray’s been watching (Chicago shows, Juice, Girl Bands Forever, Squid Game: The Challenge, 9-1-1) 06:05 – Celebrity Traitors and its phenomenal finale 15:20 – Dave’s recent watches (The Morning Show, Gen V, Outlander: Blood of My Blood) 17:10 – Pluribus on Apple TV 22:00 – Sandi Toksvig’s Hidden Wonders on More4 23:00 – Girl Bands Forever on Channel 4 27:00 – Trigger Point Season 3 28:10 – All’s Fair on Disney+ 31:30 – Dave’s new solo podcast tease 32:20 – TV & Film News (renewals, The Night Manager, Watson, The Revenge Club, Safe Houses, Y: Marshals, Escorted, Miss Piggy movie) 47:45 – Highlights for next week on TV (A League of Their Own, The Beast in Me, Palm Royale, Chicago shows, Landman, Summerwater) 50:55 – Outro and socials

Comments