After the many changes the project has undergone, we can finally catch a glimpse of Dune: Prophecy, HBO’s new sci-fi series. The prequel to Denis Villeneuve’s films has received its first teaser – it gives us a sneak peek into the world centuries before the birth of Paul Atreides.
Dune is undoubtedly one of the most successful blockbusters of the past few years and an acclaimed sci-fi adaptation. It’s no wonder therefore why Warner Bros. has no plans to leave the Dune universe anytime soon. But before the third film about Paul and his family arrives, the HBO series will show us events thousands of years earlier.
Originally, the show was rumoured to be called Dune: The Sisterhood. However, in November 2023, it was renamed Dune: Prophecy.
We gathered all the information about this new science-fiction series, which will take viewers deeper into the world of Frank Herbert’s novels.
Dune: Prophecy potential release date
The exact release date for the series has yet to be announced, but Prophecy is set to debut on Max in the fall of 2024.
The series will consist of six episodes.
Dune: Prophecy plot
Frank Herbert wrote six novels in the Dune universe, depicting the fate of Paul Atreides, his descendants and the planet Arrakis. When the writer passed away, his work was developed by his son Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson. They created a series of novels and short stories that are both prequels and sequels to the main series about Paul.
Dune: Prophecy is based on the book Sisterhood of Dune, which the writing duo published in 2012. It tells the origin story of one of the most important political forces in the Dune universe, the Bene Gesserit order.
According to information released about the prequel, the HBO series will cover the rise of this ancient organisation with a complicated agenda. Dune: Prophecy will be set 10,000 years before the birth of Paul Atreides. The main characters will be sisters Valya and Tula Harkonnen, who, to protect the future of humankind, establish a secret, woman-only sect.
Here’s the logline for the show:
From the expansive universe of ‘Dune,’ created by acclaimed author Frank Herbert, and 10,000 years before the ascension of Paul Atreides, ‘Dune: Prophecy’ follows two Harkonnen sisters as they combat forces that threaten the future of humankind, and establish the fabled sect that will become known as the Bene Gesserit.
The First Dune movie featured two members of the Bene Gesserit: Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam, who discovered that Paul was the Kwisatz Haderach, a powerful messiah, and Paul’s mother, Lady Jessica. Dune: Part Two featured another member of the order, Lady Margot Fenring, who has close ties to the sinister emperor Shaddam IV.
Dune: Prophecy will introduce many more members of the Bene Gesserit and will probably explain in detail the premise of their plans. Their main goal was to breed Kwisatz Haderach, a powerful being able to bridge space and time, the messiah of the universe.
Dune: Prophecy cast
According to initial reports, Shirley Henderson and Indira Varma were to play the main roles, but both actresses eventually left the production.
Currently, the cast of Dune: Prophecy features:
- Emily Watson as Valya Harkonnen
- Olivia Williams as Tula Harkonnen
- Mark Strong as Emperor Javicco Corrino
- Jodhi May as Empress Natalya, Emperor’s consort
- Sarah-Sofie Boussina as Princess Ynez Corrino, Emperor’s daughter and heir
- Josh Heuston as Constantine Corrino, Emperor’s bastard son
- Shalom Brune-Franklin as Mikaela, a Fremen woman
- Faoileann Cunningham as Sister Jen
- Aoife Hinds as Sister Emeline
- Chloe Lea as Sister Lila
- Jade Anouka as Sister Theodosia
- Travis Fimmel as Desmond Hart, the charismatic warrior
- Chris Mason as Keiran Atreides, the swordmaster and Paul’s ancestor
- Edward Davis as Harrow Harkonnen
According to Variety, the show will also feature Indian superstar Tabu and a South Korean singer and actress, Jihae. For now, it is unknown who they will play.
Dune: Prophecy trailer
The first teaser for the show confirms a fall release date and provides a sneak peek into the Bene Gesserit schemes:
How to watch Dune: Prophecy
In the US, Dune prequel will arrive on Max, HBO’s streaming platform.
In the UK, most Warner Bros. productions are typically syndicated on Sky and Now, but this isn’t confirmed yet.
We’ll update this article in the coming months when we know more.
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