Dune: Prophecy

Did You Know?

• The series was originally announced to premiere on Max but was rebranded as an HBO Original in July 2024.
• The first season was released on DVD, Blu-ray, and UHD Blu-ray in May 2025.
• The second season is set to premiere in 2026.

Plot

Set 10,000 years before Dune, the series begins 80 years after humans defeated thinking machine armies. Sisters Valya and Tula Harkonnen struggle to maintain the Sisterhood's power and combat forces threatening humanity. It sheds light on the Sisterhood's origins, their rise in the Imperium, and key historical aspects of the Dune universe, including the roots of the Harkonnen and Atreides families.

Cast and characters

Emily Watson plays Mother Superior Valya Harkonnen, leader of the Sisterhood, with Jessica Barden as young Valya. Olivia Williams portrays Reverend Mother Tula Harkonnen, Valya's sister, with Emma Canning as young Tula. Travis Fimmel is Desmond Hart, a charismatic soldier seeking the Emperor's trust. Jodhi May plays Empress Natalya, who united worlds in her marriage to Emperor Javicco Corrino.

Sarah-Sofie Boussnina is Princess Ynez, heir to the Golden Lion Throne. Chloe Lea plays Sister Lila, the youngest acolyte. Chris Mason is Keiran Atreides, Swordmaster of House Corrino. Shalom Brune-Franklin plays Mikaela, a Fremen woman serving the royal family.

Mark Strong portrays Padishah Emperor Javicco Corrino. Jade Anouka is Sister Theodosia, an acolyte with a dangerous secret. Edward Davis plays Harrow Harkonnen, a rising politician. Josh Heuston is Constantine Corrino, the Emperor's illegitimate son.

Faoileann Cunningham plays Sister Jen, an unpredictable acolyte. Aoife Hinds is Sister Emeline, a zealous acolyte. Mark Addy plays Evgeny Harkonnen, the sisters' uncle. Barbara Marten is Sister Avila, with Sarah Oliver-Watts as young Avila.

Camilla Beeput plays Reverend Mother Dorotea. Jihae is Reverend Mother Kasha Jinjo, the Emperor's Truthsayer. Tabu plays Sister Francesca, the Emperor's former lover, with Charithra Chandran as young Francesca.

Production

Legendary Entertainment acquired the film and television rights for Dune in November 2016. Legendary Television ordered the series in June 2019 as a prequel to Denis Villeneuve's film, focusing on the Bene Gesserit. Jon Spaihts wrote the screenplay and was set as showrunner, but left in November 2019. Dana Calvo was hired in July 2019 as co-showrunner. Diane Ademu-John became showrunner in July 2021. By June 2023, Alison Schapker was sole showrunner, with Anna Foerster directing multiple episodes. Principal photography began in November 2022 in Budapest and Jordan, wrapping in December 2023. The series was retitled Dune: Prophecy in November 2023. It premiered on HBO on November 17, 2024, and was renewed for a second season in December 2024.

Reception

On Rotten Tomatoes, Dune: Prophecy has a 65% approval rating with an average rating of 6.4/10, based on 98 reviews. The critics consensus notes it is grounded by performances from Emily Watson and Olivia Williams but lacks the spice of Villeneuve's films. Metacritic assigned a score of 64 out of 100, indicating generally favorable reviews. The premiere drew 1.2 million U.S. viewers, growing to 2.1 million the following day. By December 19, 2024, the premiere episode had about 15 million viewers across Max's covered territories.