An planned science fiction TV show called Dune: Prophecy is slated to premiere on the streaming service Max. It is set in Frank Herbert’s Dune world. It will centre on the beginnings of the Bene Gesserit, an elite sisterhood and political movement whose members endure physical training and mental conditioning to attain superhuman skills and talents. 

The story would take place around 10,000 years before the events of Herbert’s 1965 novel Dune. As the showrunner, writer, and executive producer, Alison Schapker positions the series as a precursor to Denis Villeneuve’s 2021 blockbuster Dune. The Max debut is slated for late 2024.

Release Date 

Dune: Prophecy is slated for late 2024 release on Max.

Plot of Dune: Prophecy

The HBO Max prequel series “Dune: The Sisterhood” now stars Travis Fimmel. Based on the novel “Sisterhood of Dune” by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson, the television series takes place 10,000 years before the events of “Dune.” As stated in the official synopsis, the programme “follows the Harkonnen Sisters (Emily Watson, Shirley Henderson) as they build the famous cult known as the Bene Gesserit, and confront forces that threaten the destiny of humankind.

“A charming soldier with an enigmatic history, who strives to acquire the emperor’s trust at the price of the Sisterhood,” is how Fimmel will portray Desmond Hart in the film. The cast also features Indira Varma, Sarah-Sofie Boussnina, Shalom Brune-Franklin, Faoileann Cunningham, Aoife Hinds, and Chloe Lea in addition to Watson, Henderson, and Fimmel.

This is Fimmel’s second HBO Max series; he appeared in the science fiction drama “Raised by Wolves” before. His most well-known role was as a cast member of the History Channel series “Vikings” from 2013 to 2017. In addition, he starred in the film “Warcraft,” which was produced by Legendary, the company that created “Dune.”

Paradigm, Entertainment 360, and Sloan Offer are Fimmel’s representatives. Diane Ademu-John is the creator, co-showrunner, and executive producer of “Dune: The Sisterhood,” according to an exclusive report from Variety. Executive producer and co-showrunner Alison Schapker is involved. The first episode will be directed and executive produced by Johan Renck. Denis Villeneuve, Scott Z., and Jon Spaihts.

Dune: Prophecy cast

The cast of Dune: Prophecy has been confirmed as the below.

• Emily Watson as Valya Harkonnen
• Olivia Williams as Tula Harkonnen
• Jodhi May as Empress Natalya Corrino
• Sarah-Sofie Boussina as Princess Ynez Corrino
• Shalom Brune-Franklin as Mikaela
• Faoileann Cunningham as Sister Jen
• Aoife Hinds as Sister Emeline
• Chloe Lea as Lila
• Travis Fimmel as Desmond Hart
• Jade Anouka as Sister Theodosia
• Chris Mason as Keiran Atreides
• Mark Strong Emperor Javicco Corrino
• Josh Heuston as Constantine Corrino
• Edward Davis as Harrow Harkonnen

The main characters of the show are Valya and Tula Harkonnen, sisters from the Harkonnen family, who are trying to shape their sisterhood into the powerful Bene Gesserit of the future. Shirley Henderson was initially scheduled to portray the part of Tula.

After an issue with schedule, Jodhi May will replace Indira Varma as the Emperor’s consort Natalya. Princess Ynez, the daughter and heir of Emperor Javicco Corrino, will be portrayed by Sarah-Sofia Boussina, while Mark Strong will play the patriarch of House Corrino and ruler of the Imperium.

The erratic Sister Jen (Faoileann Cunningham), the fervent acolyte Sister Emeline (Aoife Hinds), the impressionable Lila (Chloa Lea), and the driven Sister Theodosia are among the Bene Gesserit members in the television series (Jade Anouka). Josh Heuston portrays the Emperor’s bastard son Constantine, who is conflicted about how to serve his father, while Shalom-Brune Franklin plays Mikaela, a Fremen lady who now works for the royal family.

In other roles, Edward Davis portrays the up-and-coming politician Harrow Harkonnen, Chris Mason plays the swordmaster Kerian Atreides (a precursor of Paul), and Travis Fimmel plays the captivating warrior Desmond Hart.

What is the Dune: Prophecy Storyline?

The series is set 10,000 years before Dune and will be based on the book Sisterhood of Dune, written by co-author Kevin J. Anderson and son Brian Herbert of Frank Herbet. According to Deadline, the show will centre on the founding of the Bene Gesserit, the group that Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam better known as the eerie box woman in the movies belongs to. Rebecca Ferguson, Paul’s mother, is likewise a Bene Gesserit.

Following the Butlerian Jihad against the Thinking Machines, a hidden organisation of sorceresses gained power. Trained in The Voice, which is effectively mind control, these women wield significant political influence across the Dune world.

Development

Frank Herbert’s estate sold the film and television rights to his 1965 novel Dune to Legendary Entertainment in November 2016. Denis Villeneuve was finally announced as director by February 2017 after Legendary contacted him to helm a two-part film version of the novel by the following month. In June 2019, Legendary Television said that Dune: The Sisterhood, which is created for Warner Media’s streaming service HBO Max, had received a full series order. The show would be a prequel to Villeneuve’s Dune and centre on the Bene Gesserit order (2021).

The project, which only included Kim Herbert, Herbert’s granddaughter, as a female creative, drew criticism soon after it was announced.  In July 2019, Dana Calvo was brought on board to work alongside Spaihts as a showrunner.  Spaihts departed the show in November 2019 to concentrate on Dune: Part Two (2024).  According to The Hollywood Reporter, Spaihts’s early efforts as showrunner left Legendary Television “not satisfied,” therefore they decided to fire him.  By July 2021, Diane Ademu-John had taken over as the new showrunner.  As Dune: Part Two’s production moved forward, Villeneuve was unable to continue directing, and Johan Renck took over as director for the first two episodes in April 2022.

Diane Ademu-John, who had been the executive producer but not the co-showrunner, quit the project shortly after filming started, leaving Alison Schapker as the only showrunner.  Renck also left the project in February 2023, which led to its suspension. That June, he was succeeded by Anna Foerster, who would go on to helm many episodes, including the pilot.  The series was retitled Dune: Prophecy and was scheduled to debut on Warner Media’s new streaming service, Max, in November 2023.