Dune: Prophecy stars Sisters Emeline and Jen walk us through the latest episode

As a young actress hailing from the Emerald Isle, I found myself utterly captivated by the opportunity to work alongside such a talented and experienced cast on the set of “Dune: Prophecy.” Emily Watson and Olivia Williams, two titans in their own right, not only led by example but also took the time to nurture each of us young actors, offering guidance and support that is all too rare in this industry.

The television adaptation of “Dune: Prophecy” has garnered much attention due to its prominent actors. Notably, Oscar nominee Emily Watson portrays Mother Superior Valya Harkonnen, the head of the Bene Gesserit sisterhood; Olivia Williams takes on her role as Tula, Valya’s sister; Travis Fimmell is cast as the enigmatic Desmond Hart; and Mark Strong embodies the ruler of the entire universe. However, the supporting cast in HBO’s “Dune” prequel series is equally impressive with up-and-coming actresses like Chloe Lea, Aoife Hinds, and Faoileann Cunningham, who portray acolytes learning to become full members of the Bene Gesserit sisterhood.

In the latest episode titled “Two Wolves,” all three characters played significant roles. Tula Harkonnen proposed an intense procedure called the spice agony to the youthful Lila (Chloe Lea). This process could grant her abilities as a Reverend Mother, allowing her to tap into her genetic memory and communicate with her female forebears. It’s believed that one of these ancestors might be able to aid Tula and Valya in confronting a fresh danger, explaining the urgency behind this proposal. However, it’s important to note that the spice agony carries significant risks, particularly for someone as young as Lila.

In this scenario, Lila consults her peers Emeline (Aoife Hinds) and Jen (Foaillean Cunningham), each offering contrasting perspectives. The devout Emeline encourages self-sacrifice for a higher purpose as an admirable act, while the pragmatic Jen advises caution and self-preservation. Ultimately, Lila endures the painful ordeal of the spice, and as viewers of the episode know, it doesn’t turn out favorably.

In our conversation with Aoife Hinds and Faoileann Cunningham, we delved into various aspects of the episode, including the contrasting perspectives of Emeline and Jen. Here are their insights for you!

Exclusive: We talk to Aoife Hinds (Emeline) and Faoileann Cunningham (Jen) about Dune: Prophecy

WinterIsComing: How did you both get involved in doing Prophecy?

Faoileann Cunningham: “I recorded an audition video in a shower while I was attending a wedding in Canada. The role wasn’t specified, but somehow, I had a sense of what the audition was for.

“I had quite an unusual day before my flight, as my family decided to book a hotel for us to store our luggage. Unfortunately, this motel lacked lamps and there was barely any light in the bedroom. As I needed to complete a tape by the next day before boarding a 13-hour flight, I found myself taping with my brother in the shower of the motel since it had the only empty wall available. So, that’s how I ended up taping in a motel shower, Dan!

Aoife Hinds: “My situation was somewhat less hectic. During my final week of a play in London, an unusual tape arrived, and we were unsure of its purpose as it had a code name, with no background information. Essentially, it contained a single scene. I recorded the tape, thinking little of it, until my agent mentioned casually, ‘By the way, I can’t disclose this, but it’s for Dune.’ I was taken aback, thinking, ‘Okay, hold on, let’s see how this unfolds.’ Given our experience with such auditions, I wasn’t expecting a response. A week later, I received a call saying I had landed the role.

In our line of work as actors, we’re accustomed to facing several interviews with directors and producers. But this time was different; it was a direct casting from the audition tape. The level of trust involved made me exclaim, “Wow, the trust!” To be cast solely based on an audition is extraordinary. So, yes, it was nerve-wracking, but also incredibly thrilling.

Hinds: [laughs]

Cunningham: “Fascinating question. I think we’ll both fight tooth or nail to say that we’re both right, to be honest with you, in the context of our characters. And we had this argument so regularly on set. It was such an interesting conversation…What is the value of hope? And who tells you what hope is, and who’s like who’s kind of incentivizing you to have hope, right? As a person, I have multiple opinions on that. As Jen, I think [after] whatever things happened to her previously, she is incredibly distrusting of blind obedience and incredibly distrusting of like self-sacrifice that someone else is asking you to make.

In addition, I found it natural to feel a sense of protective concern towards Chloe while filming our scenes together, given the vastness of the set and her youth compared to me. We were both well taken care of, but it’s human nature to heighten these feelings. This protective instinct became more pronounced for me with Chloe, as I imagined saying things like, “There are things you don’t yet understand” or “You should reconsider what you think you know.

I hail from a nation steeped in strong religious traditions. Despite being fellow Irish citizens, Aoife and I had vastly distinct upbringings, with her growing up without a religious background compared to my own. While my personal beliefs fluctuate, it’s intriguing to explore these convictions, sometimes emphasizing or diminishing them, and passionately debate, ‘Why are you accepting this narrative blindly? You have the power to choose another story.’

Emeline expresses her deep conviction that the highest honor lies in self-sacrifice for a noble purpose. This sentiment is not merely lip service to her; rather, it resonates deeply within her. When she offers this guidance to Lila, it marks the first instance where she feels compelled to openly share this cherished value and belief of hers.

It’s fascinating to note how, during the filming of the agonizing scene, I found myself experiencing emotions that Emeline seemed to be feeling concurrently. This is because she recited a prayer as Lila went through her suffering. The character’s feelings of guilt emerged unexpectedly for me in this process…I believe both perspectives are incredibly insightful.

Cunningham expresses: “In essence, the sisterhood has been asking us from the beginning to be open-minded about the world. It’s like they’re saying, ‘Although you may believe you understand something, it’s wiser to embrace all perspectives. I felt this strongly in that particular scene, Aoife, where we found ourselves standing together and as actors, we both felt a sense of agreement, ‘I think your character is correct.’ This was surprising and undoubtedly a testament to the quality of the writing throughout the season.

In a challenging turn of events, that particular scene was quite demanding. On that very day, we found ourselves in a situation similar to protective hens guarding their eggs, as we faced an overwhelming number of contradictory queries.

“I adore this series because it often tricks you into thinking you understand a character’s thoughts for just a moment, but then surprises you (and it becomes more intense as the story progresses, which I find thrilling). It feels like we were right in the heart of the chaos… We had already experienced quite a bit, as if we had shot the scenes ourselves. However, we also received extra training about the Sisterhood’s entire system. As a result, our mental framework is based on everything we’ve been told and taught about how to behave. They even kept us at a distance, making us observe from an upstairs balcony. This means they knew we couldn’t interfere down below because we might try to help.

In another perspective, it was quite difficult for us as actors to decipher our roles that day. It seemed that our deepest doubts as performers surfaced then, as we found ourselves questioning our intentions, but ironically, this uncertainty mirrored the uncertainties of our characters perfectly. The gesture of hand-grabbing initially puzzled me; I recall thinking, “This doesn’t add up, we need to discuss it.” However, in a single take, it occurred. And there I was, realizing, “Well, who are we to dictate human behavior?” We aimed to embrace the inconsistencies and possibilities inherent in all situations while portraying these characters, which is what we ultimately strived for.

Absolutely, I concur. That particular scene was deeply distressing to witness. It brought back memories of us both letting out a sigh. The thought of Chloe repeatedly experiencing such ordeal was heart-wrenching. Moreover, the setting was cold and sterile, with her dressed in a white gown. This might have stirred something within Emeline that didn’t seem quite right to her as she had anticipated.

Jen and Emeline hold starkly different perspectives on life…which has led to numerous disagreements since they first met. However, there seems to be a common bond in difficult situations. It’s as if they realize, “We need each other in this, as the situation is getting murky and may only worsen.” I found it heartwarming that we could explore this dynamic, given how close friends we are off-screen.

Hinds: “Well, yeah, you literally took it out of our mouths.”

Cunningham: “I think obviously Chloe. I got to do a lot of scenes with Chloe

Occasionally as an actor, I dislike it when people make this statement, but there were times when real life seemed to mirror the script on set. There would be days when someone walked in feeling extremely self-assured, or there would be days when someone might have been sleep-deprived after filming every day of the week or had been training for fights and was exhausted. One person always seemed to carry the group differently or acted differently towards their scene partner. We were all relatively new actors, so we were rapidly learning about what worked best for each scene, what was essential to convey the story, and how the long-term narrative could be influenced or not. With Chloe and Aoife, it was reassuring to know that we could engage in a professional discussion where we could ask, “What do you think?

It began at the highest level, with Emily Watson and Olivia Williams setting the tone. They didn’t just lead by example, they took the time to approach each one of us individually, clearly explaining our unique strengths. This is such a thoughtful and generous gesture for young actors, something not often experienced. It was incredibly empowering to express ourselves through our characters and receive the support of others in this chaotic environment…It was a truly rare moment of joy.

Indeed, we feel incredibly fortunate…As both characters and performers, it’s hard not to be amazed by the actions unfolding before us, courtesy of our fellow actors. There’s a special kind of camaraderie that arises when one genuinely encourages another from deep within, throughout the entire process.

Hinds: “Hurry up! [chuckles] Just kidding. He was incredibly enthusiastic. Each project, each task, everything is uniquely distinct. Besides expressing his excitement and backing, he essentially said, ‘go explore and experience it on your own, then share your findings.’ We’re constantly teaching and learning from one another.

Appreciate the chat with Hinds and Cunningham! Tune in for new episodes of Dune: Prophecy every Sunday night, available on HBO and Max.

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2024-11-25 17:42