Dune: Prophecy is set 30 years after the book ‘Sisterhood of Dune’

Dune: Prophecy is set 30 years after the book 'Sisterhood of Dune'

As a die-hard fan of Frank Herbert’s Dune series, I can hardly contain my excitement for the upcoming prequel series, Dune: Prophecy! Having grown up devouring every intricate detail of this sprawling universe, I am particularly enthralled by the news that the show will delve into uncharted territories beyond Arrakis.

This year, Denis Villeneuve astounded us with his grand production, “Dune: Part Two,” showcasing his breathtaking depiction of the desert world Arrakis, its colossal sandworms, and the emergence of Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), an unforeseen space messiah. However, that’s not the only “Dune”-related content we’ll be seeing on our screens this year. In just a short span of time, we’ll also be treated to the debut of “Dune: Prophecy,” an exciting new spinoff series set to air on Max.

The series titled “Dune: Prophecy” takes place 10,000 years prior to the events depicted in Denis Villeneuve’s films, which are based on Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel “Dune.” This new show focuses on the formation of the Bene Gesserit, a clandestine order of powerful space witches who exert influence over galactic affairs. In Paul’s time, they have grown into one of the strongest factions. However, in “Dune: Prophecy,” they are still finding their way and establishing themselves.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, showrunner Alison Schapker shared insights about Dune: Prophecy, stating that viewers will witness the beginning of events. Valya Harkonnen, initially a girl whose family has suffered a significant loss of power and noble status, aspires to restore what she believes is rightfully theirs. Her journey from becoming fixated on rebuilding her noble house to dedicating herself entirely to the Sisterhood forms a crucial part of the story. This isn’t just a typical coming-of-age tale for a girl; rather, it’s about a woman’s ascent to power, seen through the eyes of the Harkonnens.

Dune: Prophecy is set 30 years after the book 'Sisterhood of Dune'

Meet the Harknnonen sisters

In Paul’s era, the Harkonnens were one of the most powerful and malevolent houses across the known universe, their cruel tactics securing them a monopoly over the spice of Arrakis. However, during the time depicted in “Dune: Prophecy”, they held a significantly lower status and were viewed as cowards due to the aftermath of an intergalactic war that reshuffled the power dynamics.

Focusing on the primary characters hailing from House Harkonnen, we’ll be tracking Valya and Tula Harkonnen. These renowned British actresses, Emily Watson and Olivia Williams, portray them respectively. Despite their long-standing friendship off-screen, this is their first joint venture in a film production. For Watson, it’s an exciting new challenge as she delves into the intricate sci-fi realm of Dune for the very first time.

Watson remarked, “I’ve never embarked on anything quite like this before. My previous work has primarily been grounded in reality. However, diving into the intricate details of Dune‘s lore and language was a fresh experience for me. Yet, it offered a wealth of opportunities for acting. It’s complex, but exploring this rich world has been an enjoyable challenge.

Williams remarked, “Our professional paths have mirrored each other remarkably.” At one point, we crossed paths at a pub in Stratford-upon-Avon called The Dirty Duck while I was part of the Royal Shakespeare Company and she was there too. Our next encounter was in the parking lot of the Four Seasons Hotel in Los Angeles, where she was nominated for her work in Breaking the Waves, and I was experiencing a productive phase with films like The Postman, Rushmore, and The Sixth Sense coming out one after another towards the end of the ’90s. Over time, we’ve had periods where our lives intersected and separated, making this current opportunity feel quite serendipitous.

It’s quite serendipitous that these two actors, who share a history, are uniting in the upcoming film “Dune: Prophecy” and will be instrumental in shaping the Bene Gesserit into the powerful entity we recognize from the main Dune movies. Given their penchant for intricate long-term strategies, it seems fitting that the cunning Bene Gesserit would orchestrate events to their advantage in such a manner.

Dune: Prophecy is set 30 years after the book 'Sisterhood of Dune'

Although the “Prophecy” series is a prequel to the “Dune” saga, it won’t be set on Arrakis. The “Dune” universe encompasses much more than just that planet, and “Prophecy” will delve into unexplored territories we haven’t seen before in this expansive world.

As a gamer, I’ve often found myself fielding questions like, “Wow, did they film those movies in some scorching hot places?” To which I always reply, “Not exactly. The world we were exploring was more of a damp and wet terrain.

Dune: Prophecy is set 30 years after Sisterhood of Dune

One intriguing aspect emerging from the interviews for EW’s Dune: Prophecy is the revelation that this series will present an entirely fresh narrative, unrelated to any specific books in the Dune series. Frank Herbert penned six Dune novels, and his son Brian Herbert, along with co-author Kevin J. Anderson, have contributed additional works. It’s been understood for some time that Dune: Prophecy would be derived from Anderson and Brian Herbert’s novel Sisterhood of Dune, which chronicles the ascension of the Bene Gesserit. However, it appears that Dune: Prophecy is not merely a continuation of Sisterhood of Dune; instead, it unfolds 30 years later as a sequel to the original work.

Schapker stated that in our work, we’ve managed to strike an ideal balance when it comes to adapting the material. ‘Sisterhood of Dune’ served as our primary source and creative influence. Our narrative is linked to the happenings in this book, yet it also unfolds 30 years after the events described in the book. This allows us to draw from the text while still having the freedom to develop characters and narrate Valya Harkonnen’s story across various timelines.

In contrast to many other adaptations, Dune: Prophecy enjoys a greater degree of liberty. It has the ability to draw upon significant incidents from Sisterhood of Dune, yet it must also establish its own narrative and characters for this specific timeframe. The intriguing aspect is that it will trace Valya’s journey spanning various timelines. Entertainment Weekly speculates that, given the prophecy in the title and the Bene Gesserit’s predilection for prophecies, we might not only witness Valya’s past but also foresee future occurrences. I wouldn’t be surprised if it happens.

Apart from Williams and Watson, the cast of Dune: Prophecy also features several other notable figures. Mark Strong portrays Emperor Javicco Corrino, Jodhi May is Empress Natalya Arat, Travis Fimmel takes on Desmond Hart, Chris Mason plays Keiran Atreides, Josh Heuston is Constantine Corrino, and Sarah-Sofie Boussnina brings Princess Ynez Corrino to life. It promises an intriguing exploration of houses like the Corrinos and Atreides in a time period that significantly differs from what we’ve seen in Dune.

Dune: Prophecy premieres this November on Max.

2024-09-27 16:41