Since its 2021 release, Dune has captivated audiences with its epic tales set on the spice-rich planet Arrakis. The movie—based on Frank Herbert’s best-selling Dune books—follows Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) as he travels to the planet Arrakis in the hopes of bringing their beloved “spice” to his family’s allies. But when Paul finds himself becoming increasingly infatuated with the planet’s local culture, everything begins to change.
The movie—along with its 2024 sequel—has earned 6 Oscars, and now, to try and capitalize on the films’ growing success, HBO has announced the release of this prequel TV show. Here’s everything you need to know about Dune: Prophecy, including its cast, plot and where to watch.
What is ‘Dune: Prophecy’ about?
Set 10,000 years before the Dune films, Dune: Prophecy follows two Harkonnen sisters in a dangerous battle to save their way of life. Their journey sparks the origins of the powerful Bene Gesserit sisterhood seen in the Dune films.
“We get to see how it all started,” showrunner Alison Schapker revealed. “When we meet Valya Harkonnen [Emily Watson], she is a girl whose family has experienced a tremendous fall from power and has lost its noble status. She dreams of restoring what she feels is rightfully theirs.”
“How she goes from being someone obsessed with rebuilding her noble house to being someone who is dedicated to the Sisterhood above all is a big part of the story. It’s not a girlhood coming-of-age narrative so much as a woman’s rise to power from a Harkonnen perspective.”
Fans of the show will remember that the Bene Gesserit is a group of women who all decided to use their mythological powers that they believe will help them lead their world in the correct direction. They are led by the Reverend Mother, who often manipulates her people to serve what she thinks is good and fair—even if it’s not.
“I’ve never really done anything like this before,” Watson revealed. “Most of the work I’ve done so far in my career has been very much based in reality. Getting my head around all the Dune lore and language was a new thing for me. But within that, I found really rich acting territory. It’s quite complex, and it’s a really fun world to play in.”
Watson will play Valya Harkonnen, one of the show’s main characters. The other—Tula Harkonnen—will be played by Olivia Williams. Both of them are British actresses.
“The sets were breathtaking. In particular, the central hall of the Bene Gesserit convent was a modern church built in the ‘70s that had been abandoned in this Hungarian woodland,” Williams detailed. “When you walked onto that set, it took your breath away.”
Meet the Cast of ‘Dune: Prophecy’
Emily Watson and Olivia Williams lead an impressive cast, including Travis Fimmel and Mark Strong, in HBO’s Dune: Prophecy.
Among them are Tracils Fimmel, who will play Desmond Hart; John Heuston will play Constantine Corrino, Mark Strong will take on the role of Emperor Javicco Corrino, Jodhi May will play Natalya and actress Sarah-Sofie Boussnina will play Princess Ynez.
No original Dune movie stars are set to appear in this prequel series, which takes place thousands of years earlier. It is also unclear if anyone from the show will appear in the third Dune movie due to the fact that Dune: Prophecy takes places before the events of the Dune films.
How To Stream ‘Dune: Prophecy’ on HBO Max
There will be six total episodes of Dune: Prophecy. They will air one by one on Sundays on HBO, with the first one released on November 17. All episodes of Dune: Prophecy will be available for streaming on HBO Max after airing.
The first two Dune movies are also available to stream there.
