We talk to Dune: Prophecy star Emma Canning about Tula’s deadly choices (Exclusive)

As a die-hard fan of Dune, I must say that the third episode of “Dune: Prophecy” has left me absolutely spellbound! The backstory of Valya and Tula Harkonnen was a captivating journey into their traumatic pasts, and Emma Canning’s portrayal of Young Tula was nothing short of mesmerizing.

In the latest installment of “Dune: Prophecy,” titled “Sisterhood Above All,” we’ve wrapped up production. This episode delved into the past, uncovering the troubled histories of characters Valya and Tula Harkonnen. Their lives were significantly influenced by the tragic demise of their brother Griffin Harkonnen, slain by a powerful member of the Atreides family. Seeking retribution, it was Valya who harbored the desire for revenge, but it was Tula who ultimately carried it out. She formed an alliance with young Orry Atreides, only to end his life and that of his entire family during a secluded forest retreat.

In this article, we had the pleasure of speaking with Emma Canning, the actress who portrayed Young Tula in a recent episode. Excitingly, she’s set to return in future episodes! Dive into our interview with her below.

WinterIsComing: How did you get involved in Dune: Prophecy?

Emma Canning shared her experience: “I gave an audition! I prepared a recording and received a callback, but I knew very little about the project due to its size and confidentiality agreements. The scripts provided were more like placeholders. I can’t recall Tula’s actual name, but it wasn’t Tula – it was something else beginning with ‘T’, perhaps Tara. Afterward, I collaborated with Anna, our initial director, over Zoom. She was delightful and quite playful. I ended up feeling unsure about my performance or how it went. It wasn’t until Alison, our fantastic executive producer, contacted me later that I learned more about the story and Tula’s role specifically. That was quite a surprise!

Emma: “Not everyone! She does spare one person.”

As a film enthusiast, I can’t help but notice the rapid decisions being made. She appears to be navigating this crisis rather skillfully. It’s evident from earlier scenes that she has formed a strong bond with him. The resemblance between them, both in character and family dynamics, is quite striking. In particular, his subordinate role within the family seems to resonate with her, given her own experiences.

I believe her choice to carry out Orry’s murder is complex, not entirely certain though. It seems she may be pushed into it rather than voluntarily choosing to do so. I suspect she views him as more of a danger to herself than anyone else. Additionally, she doesn’t seem threatened by the kid and desires some personal space instead.

Emma: “Initially, she expresses to Valya that ‘an eye for an eye won’t suffice.’ At this point, she truly feels that. Although we don’t witness it, they devise a plan together. Griffin represented their brightest hope, so who is the equivalent in the Atreides family? That would be Orry Atreides. As she sets out, she begins to question if an eye for an eye is indeed enough. Gradually, she gains courage and independence, viewing this situation as a chance to demonstrate her worth. She perceives this opportunity and realizes that ‘an eye for an eye might not be enough, but now in a different context.’

In a sense, she appears to be self-perpetuating in terms of seeking Valya’s approval. I believe she has been subtly conditioned to do so, yet she thinks her actions are driven by her own will and desires. This means she is simultaneously pursuing approval and being unwittingly led into this situation, without fully realizing it.

Emma: “Indeed, it was Olivia I had in mind. Since I’m Irish, I didn’t use my own accent. That actually helped, as she provided me with a specific model to create the voice from – not the exact voice, but mine. So, making that adjustment and calibrating towards Olivia was necessary. It was challenging for her because she wasn’t acting in scenes at the Atreides camp, instead creating those memories herself. This required a lot of imaginative work. Furthermore, she had to consider how the repercussions of that experience would ripple through Tula’s life and mold her as a character.

Initially, Olivia started working ahead of everyone else, and she made some initial strokes in her scenes. To get a sense of what she was doing, the production team provided me with a scene packet. This material helped me understand not only the atmosphere of Dune’s world but also the unique style that Olivia was developing for Tula. When I found myself struggling or disoriented, I could recall certain aspects of Tula’s portrayal in Olivia’s performances to guide my own acting. In essence, her work served as a sort of subconscious influence on me.

Emma: “Indeed, we had a focused and deliberate conversation at the studio about Tula and family dynamics. Emma openly discussed Tula with me, offering insights that weren’t solely from Olivia’s perspective. Instead, it felt like Tula was a shared topic for us to discuss together.

Emma: “For the first time in my career, I had a significant storyline to carry, which was both challenging and incredibly rewarding. It was empowering to be entrusted with such responsibility. Over the past three years, I’ve been part of productions with similar scale, where I had roles but they weren’t central to the plot. These experiences have been invaluable, teaching me the intricacies of set life, from understanding how a performance translates on camera to remembering key crew members and managing energy levels – aspects of acting that one doesn’t typically consider or learn in formal education.

My training is rooted in classical methods, which I received in London. This education is heavily focused on theater and provides a wealth of techniques for analyzing scripts and characters. It also instills confidence in trusting your instincts about a character. However, the practical aspects of working in front of a camera for film and television are skills I’ve had to learn through experience. I prefer a gradual immersion into these new challenges, as I find it overwhelming to absorb too much information at once.

Emma: She most certainly does come back. Yeah, she does.

I’d like to extend my gratitude to Emma Canning for the engaging conversation we had! Don’t miss new installments of “Dune: Prophecy” every Sunday evening, only on HBO and Max.

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2024-12-02 06:41