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Dune: Prophecy – Release date, trailer, latest news for HBO series
Everything you need to know about the Dune prequel!
HBO
- Louise Griffin
Published: Thursday, 21 November 2024 at 11:02 am
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Following the success of Dune: Part Two earlier this year, the Dune universe is transporting viewers back 10,000 years with a new show, Dune: Prophecy, which is in full swing on HBO in the US, as well as Sky Atlantic and NOW in the UK.
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Based on the novel Sisterhood of Dune, penned by Brian Herbert (Frank Herbert's son) and Kevin J Anderson, the HBO series revolves around the Harkonnen sisters Valya (Emily Watson) and Tula (Olivia Williams) as they battle an "existential threat" to the Sisterhood.
It might be set thousands of years before the films, but Keiran Atreides actor Chris Mason recently told RadioTimes.com that the show does feature "nods" to Timothee Chalamet's Paul Atreides.
Elsewhere, Watson opened up about Valya and Tula Harkonnen's deeply troubled upbringings.
Watson told ScreenRant of the family: "That's one of the things that I found really delicious about getting my teeth into this, is that they are such a messed up family.
"They've had this really traumatic childhood and she's driven by a sense of being very aggrieved, a vengeance, but she channels it all into becoming part of the sisterhood and really trying to control the fate of human kind. I mean, that's her ambition."
Here's everything you need to know about Dune: Prophecy.
Dune: Prophecy release date
Shalom Brune-Franklin as Mikaela in Dune: Prophecy. HBO
The first episode of Dune: Prophecy landed on Monday 18th November on Sky and NOW in the UK, and on 17th November on HBO in the US.
The remaining five episodes are set to drop weekly.
This is what we know so far about the titles, directors and writers of each episode:
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Episode 1 - The Hidden Hand, directed by Anna Foerster and written by Diane Ademu-John
- A synopsis reads: "On Wallach IX, young Valya Harkonnen makes a promise to the Sisterhood. Thirty years later, Valya faces a threat to her long-awaited plan."
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Episode 2 - Two Wolves, directed by John Cameron and written by Elizabeth Padden and Kor Adana
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Episode 3 - Title TBC, written by Monica Owusu-Breen and Jordan Goldberg
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Episode 4 - Title TBC, written by Kevin Lau & Suzanne Wrubel
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Episode 5 - Title TBC, written by Carlito Rodriguez & Leah Benavides Rodriguez
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Episode 6 - Title TBC, written by Elizabeth Padden & Suzanne Wrubel
The series, a prequel to the iconic Dune films, was developed by Diane Ademu-John and Alison Schapker. It was ordered in 2019, with production taking place from November 2022 to December 2023.
It's been a complicated road to release for the series after it underwent a complete creative overhaul – but fans will be thrilled to see it finally come to screens.
Writers for the series include Diane Ademu-John, Elizabeth Padden, Kor Adana, Kevin Lau and Suzanne Wrubel.
Who stars in Dune: Prophecy?
Chloe Lea as Sister Lila in Dune: Prophecy. HBO
The full announced cast for Dune: Prophecy is as follows:
- Emily Watson as Valya Harkonnen
- Olivia Williams as Tula Harkonnen
- Jodhi May as Empress Natalya
- Sarah-Sofie Boussnina as Princess Ynez
- Shalom Brune-Franklin as Mikaela
- Jessica Barden as Young Valya
- Emma Canning as Young Tula
- Faoileann Cunningham as Sister Jen
- Aoife Hinds as Sister Emeline
- Chloe Lea as Lila
- Travis Fimmel as Desmond Hart
- Mark Strong as Emperor Javicco Corrino
- Jade Anouka as Sister Theodosia
- Chris Mason as Keiran Atreides
- Cathy Tyson as Mother Superior Raquella Berto-Anirul
- Camilla Beeput as Reverend Mother Dorotea
- Charlie Hodson-Prior as Pruwet Richese
- Josh Heuston as Constantine Corrino
- Edward Davis as Harrow Harkonnen
- Tabu as Sister Francesca
- Charithra Chandran as Young Francesca
- Jihae as Reverend Mother Kasha Jinjo
The series primarily focuses on the Harkonnen sisters Valya and Tula as they seek to mould a sisterhood into what will one day be the formidable Bene Gesserit. The role of Tula was originally due to be played by Shirley Henderson.
We're expecting to see glimpses of the sisters' backstories, with Jessica Barden playing a young Valya and Emma Canning as Young Tula.
Jodhi May will portray the Emperor's consort Natalya, taking over from Indira Varma following a scheduling conflict. She recently said that she looked to history for inspiration, explaining: “I looked at the sort of mediaeval queens who were the power behind the throne, the ones who would sell their jewellery in order to get enough money to raise an army."
Travis Fimmel as Desmond Hart in Dune: Prophecy. HBO
Mark Strong will portray the ruler of the Imperium and patriarch of House Corrino, Emperor Javicco Corriuno, while Sarah-Sofie Boussnina will play his daughter and heir Princess Ynez.
Members of the Bene Gesserit in the series include the unpredictable Sister Jen (Faoileann Cunningham), a zealous acolyte Sister Emeline (Aoife Hinds), the young emotional Lila (Chloe Lea), and the ambitious Sister Theodosia (Jade Anouka).
Shalom-Brune Franklin plays a Fremen woman named Mikaela who now serves the royal family, while Josh Heuston plays the Emperor's bastard son Constantine who is torn on how to serve his father.
Elsewhere, Travis Fimmel plays the charismatic warrior Desmond Hart, Chris Mason plays the swordmaster Kerian Atreides (an antecedent of Paul), and Edward Davis plays the rising political player Harrow Harkonnen.
What is the plot of Dune: Prophecy?
The official synopsis of Dune: Prophecy reads that we "follow the Harkonnen Sisters as they combat forces that threaten the future of humankind, and establish the fabled sect known as the Bene Gesserit".
The series is set 10,000 years before Dune and will draw on the novel Sisterhood of Dune, which takes place after the Butlerian Jihad, which destroys all computers and intelligent technology.
The eldest Harkonnen children, Griffin and Valya, seek to rebuild their family fortune and are key in the conception of the Bene Gesserit.
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Is there a trailer for Dune: Prophecy?
Yes! Check out the latest trailer below:
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How to watch Dune: Prophecy
In the US, Dune: Prophecy will be available to watch on HBO and Max.
In the UK, you can watch it on Sky and NOW.
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Dune: Prophecy is available to watch now on Sky and NOW.
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Authors
Louise GriffinSci-Fi and Fantasy Editor
Louise Griffin is the Sci-Fi & Fantasy Editor for Radio Times, covering everything from Doctor Who, Star Wars and Marvel to House of the Dragon and Good Omens. She previously worked at Metro as a Senior Entertainment Reporter and has a degree in English Literature.
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