The already expansive “Dune” universe is about to take a bold leap into new realms with Max’s highly anticipated six-part prequel series, Dune: Prophecy, set to premiere on Sunday. The series will take viewers far beyond the deserts of Arrakis, the iconic planet at the heart of the “Dune” saga, exploring entirely new worlds, periods, and characters that enrich the expansive lore established by Frank Herbert’s groundbreaking novels.
While Dune: Part One and Dune: Part Two, directed by Denis Villeneuve, focused on the rise of Paul Atreides (played by Timothée Chalamet) amidst the vast Spice-filled deserts of Arrakis, Dune: Prophecy shifts the action 10,000 years before the events of those films. The prequel will introduce the origins of the mysterious and powerful Bene Gesserit, a secretive sisterhood of women with extraordinary mental and physical abilities.
According to executive producer Alison Schapker, who has an impressive resume with credits including Westworld, Lost, and Alias, the show will expand the Dune universe while maintaining a sense of continuity with both Herbert’s original material and the cinematic world created by Villeneuve. In a recent interview with CNN, Schapker explained that the team behind Prophecy was given “total freedom” in creating new interstellar locations, but they were committed to maintaining the visual standards set by the films. The aim was to ensure the show “can exist in the universe that Denis so gorgeously put on the screen.”
Schapker also emphasized the importance of staying faithful to the Dune universe, which has garnered a passionate fan base over the years. “Dune is a universe that people are attached to,” Schapker said. “It exists in a world that matters to people, and I think we wanted to respect that.”
The series’ setting spans diverse worlds, each with its own unique atmosphere and importance within the Dune lore. These locations range from lush, mysterious planets to icy wastelands, all contributing to the rich backstory of the Dune franchise. One of the key planets featured in Prophecy is Salusa Secundus, known to Dune fans as a prison planet in Villeneuve’s films. However, in Prophecy, the planet is portrayed as an imperial world at the center of much of the political intrigue that shapes the future of the Dune universe.
The show will also explore Wallach IX, the base of operations for the Bene Gesserit during the series’ time period, and Lankiveil, a harsh, frozen planet where the Harkonnen family was exiled. These worlds will be fleshed out in ways that feel both grounded and epic, as the creative team focused on making them as “real and gritty” as possible.
Despite its visually rich and expansive universe, Dune: Prophecy will also center around character-driven storytelling. Schapker and her team aimed to ground the story’s sprawling narrative through its complex characters to make it accessible for newcomers to the franchise. “That was a real conscious sort of tightrope walk we did,” Schapker reflected. “You can still enjoy the series without having read the books or seen the films.”
However, Dune: Prophecy is primarily geared towards an adult audience, offering a more mature, intimate exploration of its characters and their motivations. Schapker noted that the series includes more adult-oriented themes, with certain moments depicting the complexity of relationships and sexuality. These mature elements are woven into the story, adding depth to the characters without detracting from the overall narrative. “I loved that we were allowed to be grown-up sci-fi,” Schapker said. “It really was very fun to allow our characters to have three-dimensional humanity to them, including their sexuality, and that the show can allow people to go and depict the spicier moments.”
While the show does explore themes of intimacy and sexuality, Schapker is quick to clarify that these moments aren’t gratuitous, but rather serve to enrich the characters’ arcs and relationships. “Spicier” in this context does not refer to the “spice” central to the Dune universe, which has been the subject of much debate in the films, but instead to the more complex emotional and interpersonal aspects of the characters.
The prequel is based on The Schools of Dune trilogy, written by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson, and it will delve into the origins of the Bene Gesserit, particularly the two sisters, Valya and Tula Harkonnen. These characters take on forces that threaten the future of humanity and establish the sect that will eventually become the Bene Gesserit, a group central to the larger Dune narrative. The show will explore their rise to power and the political machinations that drive them.
Valya, played by Emily Watson, and Tula, portrayed by Olivia Williams, will be at the heart of the action. Their story will intertwine with the larger political and military conflicts of the Dune universe, as the sisters navigate the dangers of the known universe and the factions vying for power. Prophecy will explore the early days of the Harkonnen family, giving viewers an in-depth look at the legendary figures in Dune lore and their rise to power.
As the show expands the Dune universe, it promises to add new layers of intrigue, politics, and warfare to the narrative. However, it will also remain true to the heart of the Dune saga—exploring humanity’s drive for power, survival, and dominance in a hostile, intergalactic world. The series will introduce fans to a new generation of characters, worlds, and ideas, while also providing a deeper understanding of the complex forces that shape the future of the Dune universe.
The first episode of Dune: Prophecy will premiere on Max this Sunday, giving both longtime fans of the franchise and newcomers an exciting opportunity to dive deeper into the Dune universe. As the show unfolds, viewers can expect to encounter political intrigue, thrilling action, and complex characters, all set against the backdrop of a richly developed sci-fi universe.
With Dune: Prophecy, the beloved Dune franchise continues to expand its already vast universe, offering a fresh perspective on the origins of the powerful Bene Gesserit, the political tensions within the galaxy, and the interconnected fates of its characters. Fans of the films and the books alike will find much to appreciate in this exciting new chapter of the Dune saga, which is set to launch the series into new and uncharted territories.