The new tale from the universe created by Frank Herbert is finally here – Dune: Prophecy, a long-awaited show made by HBO, debuted in the US and UK.
Dune is undoubtedly one of the most successful blockbusters of the past few years and an acclaimed sci-fi adaptation. It’s no wonder therefore why Warner Bros. has no plans to leave the Dune universe anytime soon. But before the third film about Paul and his family arrives, this HBO series will show us events thousands of years earlier.
Originally, the show was rumoured to be called Dune: The Sisterhood. However, in November 2023, it was renamed Dune: Prophecy.
We’ve gathered all the information about this new science-fiction series, which will take viewers deeper into the world of Frank Herbert’s novels.
Dune: Prophecy release date
The series is currently rolling out episodes on HBO and in the US, and on Sky and in the United Kingdom.
The basic, ad-supported Max subscription costs $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year. The ad-free tier starts from $16.99 monthly or $169.99 yearly.
British-based viewers can get Now basic subscription for £9.99 per month.
When do new episodes of Dune: Prophecy release?
Here’s the episode release schedule for the US:
- Episode 1: Sunday, 17 November 2024, 9pm ET / 6pm PT
- Episode 2: Sunday, 24 November 2024, 9pm ET / 6pm PT
- Episode 3: Sunday, 1 December 2024, 9pm ET / 6pm PT
- Episode 4: Sunday, 8 December 2024, 9pm ET / 6pm PT
- Episode 5: Sunday, 15 December 2024, 9pm ET / 6pm PT
- Episode 6: Sunday, 22 December 2024, 9pm ET / 6pm PT
Here’s the schedule for the UK:
- Episode 1: Monday, 18 November 2024, 2am GMT
- Episode 2: Monday, 25 November 2024, 2am GMT
- Episode 3: Monday, 2 December 2024, 2am GMT
- Episode 4: Monday, 9 December 2024, 2am GMT
- Episode 5: Monday, 16 December 2024, 2am GMT
- Episode 6: Monday, 23 December 2024, 2am GMT
Dune: Prophecy plot
Frank Herbert wrote six novels in the Dune universe, depicting the fate of Paul Atreides, his descendants and the planet Arrakis. When the writer passed away, his work was developed by his son Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson. They created a series of novels and short stories that are both prequels and sequels to the main series about Paul.
Dune: Prophecy is based on the book Sisterhood of Dune, which the writing duo published in 2012. It tells the origin story of one of the most important political forces in the Dune universe, the Bene Gesserit order.
According to information released about the prequel, the HBO series will cover the rise of this ancient organisation with a complicated agenda. Dune: Prophecy will be set 10,000 years before the birth of Paul Atreides. The main characters will be sisters Valya and Tula Harkonnen, who, to protect the future of humankind, establish a secret, woman-only sect.
Here’s the logline for the show:
From the expansive universe of ‘Dune,’ created by acclaimed author Frank Herbert, and 10,000 years before the ascension of Paul Atreides, ‘Dune: Prophecy’ follows two Harkonnen sisters as they combat forces that threaten the future of humankind, and establish the fabled sect that will become known as the Bene Gesserit.
The First Dune movie featured two members of the Bene Gesserit: Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam, who discovered that Paul was the Kwisatz Haderach, a powerful messiah, and Paul’s mother, Lady Jessica. Dune: Part Two featured another member of the order, Lady Margot Fenring, who has close ties to the sinister emperor Shaddam IV.
Dune: Prophecy will introduce many more members of the Bene Gesserit and will probably explain in detail the premise of their plans. Their main goal was to breed the Kwisatz Haderach, a powerful being able to bridge space and time, the messiah of the universe.
Dune: Prophecy cast
According to initial reports, Shirley Henderson and Indira Varma were to play the main roles, but both actresses eventually left the production.
Currently, the cast of Dune: Prophecy features:
- Emily Watson as Valya Harkonnen
- Jessica Barden as Young Valya Harkonnen
- Emma Canning as Young Tula Harkonnen
- Olivia Williams as Tula Harkonnen
- Mark Strong as Emperor Javicco Corrino
- Jodhi May as Empress Natalya, Emperor’s consort
- Sarah-Sofie Boussina as Princess Ynez Corrino, Emperor’s daughter and heir
- Josh Heuston as Constantine Corrino, Emperor’s bastard son
- Shalom Brune-Franklin as Mikaela, a Fremen woman
- Faoileann Cunningham as Sister Jen
- Aoife Hinds as Sister Emeline
- Chloe Lea as Sister Lila
- Jade Anouka as Sister Theodosia
- Travis Fimmel as Desmond Hart, the charismatic warrior
- Chris Mason as Keiran Atreides, the swordmaster and Paul’s ancestor
- Edward Davis as Harrow Harkonnen
- Jihae as Reverend Mother Kasha Jinjo, the Emperor’s Truthsayer
To learn more about the Harkonnens or Atreides, check out our Dune: Prophecy character guide.
Dune: Prophecy trailer
The first teaser for the show confirms a fall release date and provides a sneak peek into the Bene Gesserit schemes:
The second teaser previews the power struggle between the Bene Gesserit and the powerful houses:
The official trailer shows just how formidable the sisterhood is: