Dune is undoubtedly one of the most successful blockbusters of the past few years and an acclaimed sci-fi adaptation. The second instalment of Denis Villeneuve’s film will soon be released – if you want to learn more about it, read our round-up about Dune: Part Two.
It’s currently unknown whether there will be a third film about the fate of Paul Atreides and his family. Still, Warner Bros. has no plans to leave the Dune universe anytime soon – a prequel series to Villeneuve’s films is currently in production.
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 rumoured to debut on Max in the fall of 2024.
Production began in Hungary, though the team were working with only non-union members due to the Hollywood strikes. These have since been resolved.
Warner Bros.
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.
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 will feature another member of the order, Lady Margot Fenring, who has close ties to the sinister emperor Shaddam IV.
Warner Bros.
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
How to watch Dune: Prophecy
The Dune prequel will arrive on Max, HBO’s streaming platform. Most productions from here are typically syndicated on Sky and Now, but this is not confirmed yet.
We’ll update this article in the coming months when we know more.