Dune: Prophecy Set for November Debut — Watch Latest Teaser for HBO Prequel Series
HBO has gotten a bit more specific with Dune: Prophecy‘s release timetable, announcing on Thursday that the prequel series will arrive this November.
The update comes two months after Dune: Prophecy was penciled in for sometime in Fall 2024; an exact premiere date is still TBD. (HBO has also released a new, minute-long teaser trailer for the series, which you can watch above.)
Ordered to series way back in June 2019 — before the streamer formerly known as HBO Max had any name, and well ahead of Dune: Part One‘s October 2021 release — the six-episode Dune: Prophecy is set 10,000 years before the ascension of Paul Atreides (played by Timothée Chalamet in the film franchise). It follows two Harkonnen sisters — played by Olivia Williams (Counterpart) and Emily Watson (Chernobyl) — as they combat forces that threaten the future of humankind and in turn establish the fabled sect that will become known as the Bene Gesserit.
Dune: Prophecy is inspired by the novel Sisterhood of Dune, written by Dune author Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson.
The Dune: Prophecy cast also includes Jodhi May (The Witcher) as Empress Natalya, a formidable royal who united thousands of worlds in her marriage to Emperor Corrin; Travis Fimmel (Vikings) as Desmond Hart, a charismatic soldier with an enigmatic past; plus Sarah-Sofie Boussnina (Knightfall), Shalom Brune-Franklin (The Tourist), Aoife Hinds (Normal People), Chloe Lea (Foundation) and Faoileann Cunningham (The Northman).
Additionally, Indian superstar Tabu will recur as Sister Francesca, once a great love of the Emperor, The End of the F**king World‘s Jessica Barden will play a young version of Watson’s character, and South Korean actress/musician Jihae will guest-star as Reverend Mother Kasha, the Emperor’s Truthsayer and confidant.
Alison Schapker (Altered Carbon, Westworld) serves as showrunner on the series, ever since a February 2023 creative shift.
“The Bene Gesserit have always been fascinating to me,” Denis Villeneuve, director of the Dune films and an EP on Dune: Prophecy, said back in 2019. “Focusing a series around that powerful order of women seemed not only relevant and inspiring, but a dynamic setting for the television series.”
As reported earlier this month, Dune: Prophecy is one of several series — along with The Batman spinoff The Penguin, the upcoming Harry Potter series, IT prequel Welcome to Derry and recently ordered Green Lantern project Lanterns — that were initially developed as Max exclusives but will instead be branded as HBO originals moving forward. With those shows now under the HBO umbrella, it guarantees they will all air on the linear premium cable network, in addition to streaming on Max.
This looks really good, even like a movie from the theater.
No single mention of Mark Strong in the article, even though he’s probably one of the more familiar faces in it?!
You had me at Emily Watson and Olivia Williams.
This looks amazing!
I can’t believe that any ‘sane’ person would spend money on the drivel that Brian Herbert & Kevin Anderson wrote! Frank Herbert is probably rolling in his grave!
I can. The BG were masters of their bodies, making them excellent in combat, as well as supposedly making them fantastic lovers.
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Which is right up Max’s alley. They are the perfect subjects of a show that can feature a lot of violence and nudity. Exactly what Max wants to air.
How sad for you. I bet you couldn’t understand the books, which are fabulous. Perhaps you can try “See Jane Run” books.
This looks good!
I’m so sorry for you that other people can have the gall to enjoy something that you probably couldn’t understand in the first place. Loved the books, but haven’t seen the movie.
Looking forward to it.