‘Dune: Prophecy’ trailer shows what it was like 10,000 years before Paul Atreides [Watch]
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The “Dune” universe is expanding to TV, and going way, way back in time to do it.
During Warner Bros.’ Upfront presentation on Wednesday, HBO and Max boss Casey Bloys introduced the first teaser for “Dune: Prophecy,” a prequel series spinoff of the hit sci-fi film franchise. The six-episode season will premiere on Max this fall.
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“Dune: Prophecy” is inspired by the novel “Sisterhood of Dune” by Brian Herbert (son of original “Dune” series author Frank Herbert) and Kevin J. Anderson. Set 10,000 years before the ascension of Paul Atreides (Timotheé Chalamet), the series tells the story of the founding of the Bene Gesserit, the secretive, all-female (until Paul Atreides) order of superhuman power brokers who advise leaders and influence world events.
It follows sisters Valya (Oscar and Emmy nominee Emily Watson) and Tula Harkonnen (Olivia Williams) as they fight forces that threaten humanity’s future and create what becomes the Bene Gesserit.
“Before the universe would know us as the Bene Gesserit, we founded a sisterhood, assigned to the great houses to help them sift truth from lies,” Valya narrates. “We created a network of influence throughout the Imperium. But power comes with a price.”
They plan to install a member of their sisterhood, Ynez (Sarah-Sofie Boussnina), on the throne through marriage into the royal family. “Nothing is more important,” Valya tells her sisters. “And this is the marriage that makes it possible. This is us playing god.”
It kind of seems like a “Dune” version of “Game of Thrones.”
The cast also includes Travis Fimmel, Jodhi May, Mark Strong, Josh Heuston, Chloe Lea, Jade Anouka, Faoileann Cunningham, Edward Davis, Aoife Hinds, Chris Mason, Shalom Brune-Franklin, Jihae, Tabu, Charithra Chandran, Jessica Barden, Emma Canning, and Yerin Ha.
Alison Schapker (“Altered Carbon”) serves as showrunner and executive producer. Diane Ademu-John (“The Haunting of Bly Manor”) co-developed the series and serves as executive producer. Anna Foerster (“Westworld”) executive produced and directed multiple episodes including the first.
The series, which was first announced in 2019, has undergone many changes on its path to the screen. Original showrunner and “Dune” screenwriter Jon Spaihts left the project. Ademu-John was hired as showrunner, then Schapker was added as co-showrunner, then Ademu-John left. “Dune” director Denis Villeneuve was originally slated to direct episodes but was unable to, and Johan Renck (“Chernobyl”) was enlisted in his stead. Then Renck departed the project, and Foerster stepped in. Villeneuve does not have an executive producer credit on the series.
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