Prequel TV series Dune: The Sisterhood is set 10,000 years before the movie and adds Emily Watson and Shirley Henderson as the Harkonnen sisters
As production continues on a Dune movie sequel for Warner Bros., the HBO Max prequel series Dune: The Sisterhood has found its two leads.
Emily Watson and Shirley Henderson have signed on to play Valya Harkonnen and Tula Harkonnen, aka The Harkonnen Sisters, respectively, via Deadline.
The show will be set 10,000 years before the events depicted in Frank Herbert’s 1964 epic novel Dune.
Leads: As production continues on a Dune movie sequel for Warner Bros., HBO Max’s prequel series Dune: The Sisterhood has found its two leads; Emily Watson seen on September 22 in New York
Cast: Emily Watson and Shirley Henderson have signed on to play Valya Harkonnen and Tula Harkonnen, aka The Harkonnen Sisters, respectively, via Deadline; Henderson seen in 2017 in Edinburgh
The show will follow Valya and Tula, who rose to power in the Sisterhood, a secret organization of powerful women.
The series is set to chart their rise to power as they “combat the forces that threaten the future of mankind and establish the legendary sect known as the Bene Gesserit.”
The Bene Gesserit are a group of women “whose extraordinary mastery of body and mind enables them to weave expertly into the feudal politics and intrigue of the Imperium”.
10,000 Years: The show will be set 10,000 years before the events depicted in Frank Herbert’s 1964 epic novel Dune
Dune: The Sisterhood is based on the 2012 novel Sisterhood of Dune by Brian Herbert (son of original Dune author Frank Herbert) and Kevin J. Anderson.
HBO Max issued a direct-to-series order for Dune: The Sisterhood in June 2019, though development was significantly changed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Original Dune movie screenwriter Jon Spaihts was originally set to create the series, with Dune director Denis Villeneuve attached to direct the pilot episode.
Order: HBO Max issued a direct order for Dune: The Sisterhood in June 2019, although development was significantly changed during the COVID-19 pandemic
Novel: Dune: The Sisterhood is based on the 2012 novel Sisterhood of Dune by Brian Herbert (son of original Dune author Frank Herbert) and Kevin J. Anderson; seen in 2019 in London
After nearly two years without news of the project, it was revealed in April 2021 that Diane Ademu-John (Empire, The Haunting of Bly Manor) would take over as the new creator and showrunner following Spaihts’ departure in November 2019.
Johan Renck (Chernobyl) directed the first two episodes in April, although it’s unclear when production will begin.
Spaihts and Villeneuve will still serve as executive producers along with Scott Z. Burns, Matthew King, John Cameron and Cait Collins.
News: After nearly two years with no news on the project, it was revealed in April 2021 that Diane Ademu-John (Empire, The Haunting of Bly Manor) will take over as new creator and showrunner following Spaihts’ departure in November 2019
Author Brian Herbert. Byron Merritt and Kim Herbert serve as executive producers on Frank Herbert’s estate, while writer Kevin J. Anderson serves as co-producer.
Watson can currently be seen in God’s Creatures, which debuted in theaters last weekend and she also stars in the upcoming The Legend of Ochi.
Henderson, best known for voicing Babu Frik in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, also stars in See How They Run as Agatha Christie.
New film: Watson can currently be seen in God’s Creatures, which debuted in theaters last weekend and she also stars in the upcoming The Legend of Ochi; seen in 2011
New Role: Henderson, best known for portraying Babu Frik in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, also stars in See How They Run as Agatha Christie; seen in 2018 in London
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