The First Teaser for “Dune: Prophecy” Unveils the Powers That Shaped the Dune Universe

The first teaser for Max’s Dune: Prophecy has landed, taking us back 10,000 years before the events depicted in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune films and centered on two Harkonnen sisters fighting against dark forces who will eventually found the secretive, powerful sect called the Bene Gesserit. Prophecy will offer lovers of both Villeneuve’s astonishing two-part epic and Frank Herbert’s novels a look at how the combative, fragile intergalactic community present during the rise of Paul Atreides (played in the films, of course, by Timothée Chalamet) was shaped. The series is inspired by Brian Herbert (Frank Herbert’s eldest son) and Kevin J. Anderson’s novel “Sisterhood of Dune.”

The cast includes Emily Watson and Olivia Williams as sisters Valya Harkonnen and Tula Harkonnen, along with Travis Fimmel, Jodhi May, Mark Strong, Sarah-Sofie Boussnina, Josh Heuston, Chloe Lea, Jade Anouka, Faoileann Cunningham, Edward Davis, Aoife Hinds, Chris Mason, Shalom Brune-Franklin, Jihae, Tabu, Charithra Chandran, Jessica Barden, Emma Canning, and Yerin Ha.

The series comes from showrunner and executive producer Alison Schapker. Prophecy was co-developed by Diane Ademu-John, who serves as executive producer. Anna Foerster directed multiple episodes, including the all-important episode one, and serves as executive producer. Jordan Goldberg, Mark Tobey, John Cameron, Matthew King, Scott Z. Burns, and Dune and Dune: Part Two screenwriter Jon Spaihts executive produce alongside Brian Herbert. Byron Merritt and Kim Herbert are executive producers for the Frank Herbert estate. 

Check out the teaser below. Dune: Prophecy arrives on Max this fall.

Here’s the official longline from Max: 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. DUNE: PROPHECY is inspired by the novel SISTERHOOD OF DUNE, written by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson. 

For more on all things Dune, check out these stories:

Zendaya Double Feature: “Dune: Part Two” Returns to IMAX as “Challengers” Serves Up Premiere

Desert Power: The Lasting Success of “Dune: Part Two” & Future Adaptations

“Dune: Part Two” Cinematographer Greig Fraser on Finding Clarity in Chaos

Featured image: Emily Watson in “Dune: Prophecy.” Courtesy HBO Max.