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Dune: Prophecy Potential Release Date, Cast, Plot and Trailer
After the many changes the project has undergone, we can finally get a glimpse of Dune: Prophecy, HBO’s new science fiction series. The prequel to Denis Villeneuve’s films has received its first teaser – giving us a taste of the world centuries before the birth of Paul Atreides.
Dune is undoubtedly one of the most successful blockbusters of recent years and a critically acclaimed science fiction adaptation. It is therefore no wonder that 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 shows us events from thousands of years earlier.
The show was originally rumored to be called Dune: The Sisterhood. However, in November 2023, it was renamed Dune: Prophecy.
We’ve 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 will debut on Max in the fall 2024.
The series will consist of six episodes.
Dune: Prophecy plot
Frank Herbert wrote six novels set in the Dune universe, depicting the fate of Paul Atreides, his descendants, and the planet Arrakis. When the writer died, 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 tackle the rise of this centuries-old organization with a complicated agenda. Dune: Prophecy is set 10,000 years before the birth of Paul Atreides. The main characters will be sisters Valya and Tula Harkonnen, who, in order to protect the future of humanity, create a secret female-only sect.
Here’s the logline for the show:
From the vast universe of ‘Dune’ created by acclaimed author Frank Herbert, and set 10,000 years before the ascension of Paul Atreides, ‘Dune: Prophecy’ follows two Harkonnen sisters as they battle forces that threaten the future of humanity, and the legendary sect that would become known as the Bene Gesserit.
The First Dune film 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 likely explain in detail the premise of their plans. Their main goal was to breed Kwisatz Haderach, a powerful being that can bridge space and time, the messiah of the universe.
Dune: Prophecy Cast
Initial reports suggested Shirley Henderson and Indira Varma would star in the lead roles, but both actresses ultimately left the production.
Currently, the cast of Dune: Prophecy consists of:
- Emily Watson as Valya Harkonnen
- Olivia Williams as Tula Harkonnen
- Mark Strong as Emperor Javicco Corrino
- Jodhi May as Empress Natalya, the Emperor’s consort
- Sarah-Sofie Boussina as Princess Ynez Corrino, the Emperor’s daughter and heir
- Josh Heuston as Constantine Corrino, the emperor’s bastard son
- Shalom Brune-Franklin as Mikaela, a Fremen woman
- Faoleann 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 sword master and ancestor of Paul
- Edward Davis as Harrow Harkonnen
According to Variety, the show will also feature an Indian superstar Tabu and a South Korean singer and actress, Jihae. It is not yet known who they will play against.
Dune: Prophecy Trailer
The first teaser for the show confirms a fall release date and offers a sneak peek at Bene Gesserit’s plans:
How to watch Dune: Prophecy
In the US, the Dune prequel will be released on Max, HBO’s streaming platform.
In the UK, most Warner Bros. productions usually air on Sky and Now, but this has not yet been confirmed.
We will update this article in the coming months as we learn more.