Denis Villeneuve’s DUNE: THE SISTERHOOD Series Gets a New Title DUNE: PROPHECY — GeekTyrant

HBO has been developing a Dune series with producer Denis Villeneuve and IGN is reporting that the title of the series has been changed from Dune: The Sisterhood to Dune: Prophecy.

The story for the series is set 10,000 years before Paul Atreides even existed, and it follows the Harkonnen Sisters as they combat forces that threaten the future of humankind, and establish the fabled sect known as the Bene Gesserit. Watson and Henderson will portray Valya Harkonnen and Tula Harkonnen, respectively, the formidable Harkonnen Sisters, who have risen to power in the Sisterhood.

The series is “designed to co-exist” with the Dune films, and the story is told “through the eyes of a mysterious order of women known as the Bene Gesserit. Given extraordinary abilities by their mastery of the body and the mind, the Bene Gesserit expertly weave through the feudal politics and intrigue of The Imperium, pursuing plans of their own that will ultimately lead them to the enigmatic planet Arrakis, known to its inhabitants as Dune.”

Dune: Prophecy is set to debut on the Max streaming service and production is ongoing in Hungary despite the ongoing actors’ strike because the cast is largely made up of British actors who are members of Equity rather than SAG-AFTRA.

The cast for the series includes Travis Fimmel (Vikings, Raised By Wolves) Emily Watson (Chernobyl), Sarah-Sofie Boussnina (The Colony), Shalom Brune-Franklin (The Tourist), Faoileann Cunningham (The Northman), Aoife Hinds (Normal People), Chloe Lea (Foundation), Mark Strong (Shazam!, 1917), Jade Anouka (Last Christmas, His Dark Materials), Olivia Williams, Jodhi May, and Chris Mason (Riverdale, Broadchurch).

The series is written by Alison Schapker, who is also the showrunner. John Spaihts, who co-wrote the scripts for the Dune movie, also worked on the series, and Johan Renck (Chernobyl) will direct the premiere episode and executive produce.

Spaihts previously talked about the series, saying: “The Bene Gesserit have always been fascinating to me. Focusing a series around that powerful order of women seemed not only relevant and inspiring but a dynamic setting for the television series.”

The show is expected to launch in the Fall of 2024.