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“Dune: Prophecy” the Origins of the Bene Gesserit Revealed
Showrunner Alison Schapker unveils 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…
