The news was announced during a virtual press conference Thursday afternoon, a few days before the Season 1 finale airing Sunday, Dec. 22.
The “Dune” prequel series, set more than 10,000 years before the events of Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune” movies, follows the origins of the Bene Gesserit, the secretive order of powerful witches that influence Arrakis’ politics behind the scenes.
Inspired by the novel “Sisterhood of Dune” by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson, the series follows the leader of the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood, Valya Harkonnen (played by Emily Watson), and Tula Harkonnen (Olivia Williams), who team up to combat forces that threaten humankind.
Both are ancestors from long ago of the evil House Harkonnen, which betrays Paul Atreides and his father in the “Dune” movies. Mark Strong plays Emperor Javicco Corrino and Sarah-Sofie Boussnina is his daughter Princess Ynez. The cast also includes Travis Fimmel, Jodhi May, Josh Heuston, Chloe Lea, Jade Anouka, Faoileann Cunningham, Edward Davis, Aoife Hinds, Chris Mason, Shalom Brune-Franklin, Camilla Beeput, Jihae, Tabu, Charithra Chandran, Jessica Barden, Emma Canning and Yerin Ha.
Alison Schapker serves as showrunner and executive producer. Diane Ademu-John co-developed the series and serves as executive producer. Anna Foerster executive produced and directed multiple episodes, including the first. Jordan Goldberg, Mark Tobey, John Cameron, Matthew King, Scott Z. Burns, and Jon Spaihts executive produce with Brian Herbert, along with Byron Merritt and Kim Herbert as executive producers for the Frank Herbert estate. Kevin J. Anderson serves as co-producer. The series is co-produced by HBO and Legendary Television.
