HBO Max plans to expand the beloved science fiction saga with an ambitious prequel series, “Dune: Prophecy,” as fans eagerly await the next installment of Denis Villeneuve’s blockbuster “Dune” film franchise.
Premiering on November 17th, the six-episode series takes viewers on a journey 10,000 years before the events of the recent “Dune” movies, delving into the mysterious origins of the Bene Gesserit, the powerful and influential sisterhood that has cast a shadow over the entire “Dune” universe.
In an exclusive panel at New York Comic Con, the show’s cast and producers offered tantalizing glimpses into this new chapter, promising a deeper exploration of the Bene Gesserit’s inner workings and the formative years of their epic feud with the Harkonnen dynasty.
Showrunner Alison Schapker said, “In the films, they’re very much in their full power, making their moves, but cloaked in a kind of intrigue.” “One of the great things about this series is that we certainly don’t want to take away their mystique, but we do go behind their closed doors and see how they operate.”
Acclaimed actresses Emily Watson and Olivia Williams will introduce audiences to the Harkonnen siblings, Valya and Tula, who are leading the charge as the precursors to the Bene Gesserit. The series will delve into the origins of the long-standing rivalry between the Harkonnens and the noble House Atreides, a feud that has defined the “Dune” narrative for decades.
“How did that (feud) start?” Schapker teased. “How did that become so entrenched? That’s something we’re going to be exploring.”
Notably, the series will present a Harkonnen family that is not yet the “monstrous version” seen in the films, allowing viewers to gain a more nuanced understanding of the characters and the forces that shaped them.
“Valya Harkonnen is set on determining the right path for humankind,” Watson revealed, hinting at the complex moral ambiguities that will underpin the show’s narrative.
Beyond the Harkonnen-Atreides dynamic, “Dune: Prophecy” will also tackle broader themes of technology, humanity, and the role of the Bene Gesserit in shaping the future of the “Dune” universe.
As executive producer Jordan Goldberg explained, the series picks up in the aftermath of a war that led to the outlawing of all artificial intelligence and thinking machines. “Now that humanity is free, will they destroy themselves?” he asked. “The Sisterhood is acting as a guardrail against that.”
Fans long captivated by the enigmatic women of the order will delight in this focus on the Bene Gesserit’s origin story and their evolving role in the “Dune” mythos. The new series promises to expand the scope of the franchise while honoring the rich tapestry of Frank Herbert’s original vision.
“The films set such a high bar, and I think really unlocked ‘Dune’ for many people,” Schapker acknowledged. “And we definitely felt like we wanted to just strive in every way to be worthy of holding down a different corner of the ‘Dune’ universe, [so] that fans who engage with the films and love the films would feel that they were seeing a different part of the story that could also speak to the films.”
With a talented ensemble cast that includes the likes of Travis Fimmel, Mark Strong, and Tabu, and a production that has spared no expense in crafting the rich, immersive world of “Dune,” “Dune: Prophecy” promises to be a must-watch for both longtime fans and newcomers to the franchise.
“If you’re expecting sand, heat, and blue skies, we’re on a very damp planet,” actress Olivia Williams joked, hinting at the show’s unique visual aesthetic.
As anticipation builds for the series’ November 17th premiere, one thing is clear: “Dune: Prophecy” is poised to expand the horizons of the “Dune” universe, delving deeper into the shadowy machinations of the Bene Gesserit and the forces that have shaped the destiny of the known universe. The epic saga will transport fans to the core of the “Dune” mythos, leaving them eager to uncover its secrets.