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If you've watched The Handmaid’s Tale, you'll know that the show has no shortage of disturbing characters - from Commander Waterford to Aunt Lydia, every new face in Gilead carries a sense of dread.
But Season 5 and 6 introduced a particularly intriguing character in the form of Commander Bell - played by none other than Timothy Simons. Now, if that name sounds familiar, that’s because Simons is best known for playing the obnoxious and hilarious Jonah Ryan in Veep.
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Seeing him in the grim world of The Handmaid’s Tale felt like someone dropped a sarcastic loudmouth into a silent horror film - except, this time, he wasn't here to make you laugh.
So, who was Commander Bell, and why was everyone suddenly paying attention to Timothy Simons in a world filled with robes, rituals, and resistance? Was Bell just another face of Gilead’s cruelty, or was there something deeper going on?
Let’s break it all down - who he was, what we know about him, and why this casting choice might be smarter than anyone expected!
Timothy Simons' Commander Bell in The Handmaid’s Tale
1) Commander Bell: A mysterious addition to Gilead’s hierarchy
Commander Bell didn't storm onto the screen with fireworks in The Handmaid’s Tale - he was introduced quietly, slipping into conversations among Gilead’s elite. He wasn't as vocal as Waterford or as ideologically conflicted as Lawrence was.
Instead, Bell observed - he listened, he chose his words carefully, and that alone made him stand out in a society where men often mask brutality with righteousness.
Unlike many of the more recognizable Commanders, Bell’s past wasn’t laid out for us. He was not connected to a major Handmaid, nor was he tied to any dramatic moral conflict, but his presence hinted at power - he was clearly respected, or at least feared, in political meetings.
He might not have spoken often, but when he did, everyone paid attention. There was a coldness to Bell, but it wasn't cartoonish. You couldn’t easily label him a villain, which, in Gilead, might have made him even more dangerous.
2) Timothy Simons: Breaking out of the comedy box
When most people think of Timothy Simons, they picture Jonah Ryan - loud, awkward, and constantly making a fool of himself on Veep. That’s why seeing him in The Handmaid’s Tale felt jarring at first. But once the initial surprise wore off, you realized something: Simons fit into Gilead surprisingly well.
He didn’t play Bell with over-the-top villain energy - instead, he used restraint. His calm, steady delivery turned even the simplest lines into quiet threats. And that sense of stillness, combined with his tall, looming frame, gave Bell a haunting presence.
Simons proved here that he’s not just a comedic actor - he has the subtlety and control needed to thrive in a tense, slow-burn drama like this one.
3) How Bell compared to other commanders
In a sea of authoritarian figures, what set Bell apart in The Handmaid’s Tale? Waterford (played by Joseph Fiennes) was self-righteous and deeply manipulative, while Lawrence (Bradley Whitford) walked the tightrope between reformer and enabler.
Bell, on the other hand, didn’t tip his hand at all - he didn’t rant about faith or justify the system with flowery speeches. He just...functioned within it, efficiently and without emotion.
His silence was unsettling - when someone in power didn’t explain their motives, it became harder to predict what they’ll do next, and that’s exactly the tension Bell brought to every room he entered.
4) The fan reactions: “Wait, Jonah’s in Gilead?”
When Simons first appeared in The Handmaid’s Tale, fans were caught off guard. Social media lit up with comments like: -
"As soon as i heard his voice i was like ohhhhhh nooooo, he’s so good at playing creepy dudes lmao," a reddit user wrote.
But the weirdness didn’t last long. Once Bell started speaking, viewers realized this wasn’t just a one-off cameo - it was a serious role with serious weight.
Some fans even pointed out that casting Simons was genius, and that his comedic background adds a layer of discomfort. You’re so used to laughing when you see him - and instead, you’re met with cold stares and careful plotting. That tension actually enhanced Bell’s character.
5) His death and what it signifies
Commander Bell’s death in The Handmaid’s Tale came as a surprise - not because he was a beloved character, but because he was just starting to register as a serious player. Without warning, he was assassinated, signaling the start of a bloodier chapter in Gilead’s unraveling.
His killing wasn’t just about removing a character, it was a symbol - a sign that the resistance was escalating, and that even powerful men who played it safe weren’t untouchable anymore. Gilead was no longer a fortress, and the cracks were now turning into full-blown collapses.
Bell didn’t go out in a blaze of glory, and there were no dramatic speeches - but his end was sudden, quiet, and brutal...exactly the kind of death that fits the world he helped sustain.
6) Why Bell’s arc still matters
Commander Bell didn’t have a redemption arc in The Handmaid’s Tale. He didn’t cry out for mercy, didn’t secretly help June, didn’t defect - but that’s precisely why he was an important piece of the puzzle.
He reminded us that Gilead isn’t just built by the monsters we hate - like Fred Waterford...but also by the quiet, complicit men who make it run smoothly. Bell represented the bureaucratic evil that’s harder to spot. He didn’t need to believe in the ideology to enforce it, he just had to keep his mouth shut and follow protocol.
That’s the chilling part, because in real life, history is full of people like Bell - those who enable without ever lifting a hand.
7) The real-world impact of casting Timothy Simons
TV shows like The Handmaid’s Tale know how to make casting work on multiple levels. Choosing Simons wasn’t just about acting chops - it was about viewer psychology. His familiar face brought an edge of unpredictability - you think you know what to expect from him, and then he shifts into something colder, sharper.
It’s a smart way to keep the audience uneasy, and in The Handmaid’s Tale, no one is ever what they seem - not even Jonah Ryan.
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