Showrunner Alison Schapker unvails the mysterious origins of the Bene Gesserit in HBO’s new Dune prequel series.
The Dune universe is vast, filled with intricate themes and characters, but at its core, Frank Herbert’s original novel and the Denis Villeneuve film adaptations focus on Paul Atreides (played by Timothée Chalamet) and his fateful journey. However, HBO’s upcoming prequel series, Dune: Prophecy, shifts the spotlight away from Paul, exploring the early history of the universe’s powerful forces, particularly the Bene Gesserit.
The new series centers on the origins of the secretive matriarchal order that will one day orchestrate Paul Atreides’ rise to power. Set 10,000 years before the events of Dune, the series chronicles the formation of the sisterhood and introduces two pivotal figures: Valya Harkonnen (Emily Watson) and Tula Harkonnen (Olivia Williams), biological sisters and early members of the fledgling Bene Gesserit.
Even casual Dune fans might raise an eyebrow at the Harkonnen name. In the original story, House Harkonnen is known as a key antagonist, controlling the spice trade on Arrakis. But in Dune: Prophecy, the Harkonnens have yet to acquire their future influence. Instead, they are recovering from a recent galactic war that has tarnished their reputation and left them branded as traitors.
“We get to see how it all started,” showrunner Alison Schapker shared with Entertainment Weekly during a break from post-production. “When we meet Valya Harkonnen, she’s a woman whose family has fallen from power, losing their noble status. She dreams of reclaiming what she believes is rightfully hers. Her journey from restoring her family’s name to becoming fully devoted to the Sisterhood is a major part of the story. This is not a coming-of-age tale, but rather a woman’s rise to power from a Harkonnen perspective.”
Instead of focusing on the traditional young hero’s journey, Dune: Prophecy follows two middle-aged women, adding a unique perspective to the sprawling Dune universe. Both Watson and Williams have relished the opportunity to delve into the rich, sci-fi-heavy narrative.
“I’ve never done anything like this before,” Watson says. “Most of my career has been grounded in reality-based roles. Learning the intricate lore of Dune was a challenge, but it’s such a rich, complex world to step into.”
This marks the first time Watson and Williams have worked together on screen, despite their overlapping careers in British theater and film. Williams noted that their paths had crossed multiple times before: “Our careers have run in parallel. We met at the Royal Shakespeare Company years ago, and later in Hollywood. It felt fateful that we would finally work together on this show.”
Unlike Villeneuve’s films, which famously filmed in scorching desert environments to portray Arrakis, Dune: Prophecy shifts its setting to the Bene Gesserit’s headquarters, far from the heat. Williams humorously recalls, “Everyone asked if I was filming in those incredibly hot deserts, and I’d say, ‘No, our planet is wet and damp!’ We had a guy with a water tank on set, constantly spraying water everywhere. By the end, I think I grew webbed feet!”
The visual spectacle of Dune: Prophecy extends to its awe-inspiring sets. One standout is the Bene Gesserit convent’s main hall, a modern church from the 1970s, abandoned in the Hungarian woods. Williams described walking onto that set as “breathtaking.”
The show draws inspiration from the Sisterhood of Dune novel, co-written by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson, which delves into the early history of the Dune universe. However, Schapker and her team took a creative approach, blending faithful adaptation with new storytelling elements.
“We found a balance between adaptation and original storytelling,” Schapker explained. “Our narrative follows events from Sisterhood of Dune, but our story takes place 30 years after the book. This gave us space to develop new characters and explore Valya Harkonnen’s story across multiple timelines.”
Dune: Prophecy spans multiple time periods. With the Bene Gesserit’s unique ability to access ancestral memories, characters are deeply aware of the past and future. “Time isn’t just linear in Dune,” Schapker noted. “The Reverend Mothers can communicate with their female ancestors, uncovering secrets from the past that shape the present and future. We wanted the series to bring history to life by spending time in different eras.”
Though it’s set millennia before Dune, the show retains key elements of the universe, including an Emperor (Mark Strong) and an Atreides swordmaster (Chris Mason). It also introduces new characters, such as the enigmatic Desmond Hart (Travis Fimmel).
Dune: Prophecy is not your typical prequel. With its intricate timelines and deep dive into the Bene Gesserit’s hidden history, it offers a fresh perspective on the Dune universe.
The new HBO Original Series #DuneProphecy premiered November 17 on Max.