Max’s Dune prequel series, Dune: Prophecy, will dive into the deeper lore of the popular movie franchise using a whole new cast to explore these impactful characters. Dune: Prophecy is set 10,000 years before the events of Dune and explores how Bene Gesserit secured its powerful position in the the universe. Talent like Emily Watson, Olivia Williams, Sarah-Sofie Boussnina, Shalom Brune-Franklin, and much, much more are on board to bring this complex and dramatic story to the small screen, expanding the iconic sci-fi world established by author Frank Herbert back in 1965.
Dune: Prophecy is expected to begin streaming on Max near the end of 2024 and will follow two Hakonnen sisters, Valya and Tula, as they fight to establish control over what would become the notorious Bene Gesserit. Of course, this will be no easy task, and though it’s known from Dune that the Hakonnen later exercise the power they seek throughout the prequel series, the consequences are revealed to be great. Dune: Prophecy was confirmed in 2019, and the series has cast an impressive lineup to bring this tale to life.
British actor Emily Watson had her breakout movie role in the 1996 movie Breaking the Waves, playing Bess McNeil, a role which earned her an Academy Award nomination (Best Actress). Shortly after, Watson gained further fame playing Jacqueline du Pre in Hilary and Jackie (1998). Her other projects include Oranges and Sunshine (2010), The Happy Prince (2018), God’s Creatures (2022), and Small Things Like These (2024).
Watson plays Mother Superior Valya Harkonnen in 2024’s Dune: Prophecy, the second Reverend Mother Superior of the Bene Gesserit Order. Valya is a formidable character determined to place a Sister on the Imperium’s throne and will go to any lengths to make this happen.
North London-born actor Olivia Williams made her film debut in the 1997 movie The Postman, in which she played Abby, though she had already gained some prominence playing Jane Fairfax in the British TV film Emma in 1996. From there, Williams broke big playing Anna Crowe in The Sixth Sense alongside Bruce Willis (1999), and her career only bloomed from there. Her prominent movie credits include Hanna (2011), Hyde Park on Hudson (2012), Victoria & Abdul (2017), and The Father (2020). In 2022, Williams played Camilla Parker Bowles in Netflix’s The Crown.
In Dune: Prophecy, Williams plays Tula Harkonnen, an early member of House Harkonnen and the Bene Gesserit. Tula is intensely loyal to her sister, Mother Superior Valya Harkonnen, and carries out even the most unthinkable orders for the betterment of House Harkonnen.
Jodhi May, born in London, England, began her acting career as a child, with her breakout role being Molly Roth in the 1988 film A World Apart. From there, May appeared in projects like The Last of the Mohicans (1992), The Other Boleyn Girl (2003), A Quiet Passion (2016), and The Warrior Queen of Jhansi (2019). In 2019, May also appeared in Netflix’s The Witcher, where she played Queen Calanthe.
In Dune: Prophecy, May plays Empress Natalya, who marries Emperor Corrino and, in doing so, unites thousands of worlds.
Danish actor Sarah-Sofie Boussnina got her breakout role in the 2009 TV series Park Road and made her film debut in Bora Bora (2011), where she played Mia. Boussnina is best known for playing Jeanette in the 2015 series The Bridge and Adelina in 2017’s Knightfall. Her other credits include projects like The Absent One (2014), The Birdcatcher (2019), and Black Lake (2016).
Boussnina plays Princess Ynez in Dune: Prophecy, an independent royal struggling with the pressures and expectations of being heir to the Golden Lion Throne.
English-born actor Shalom Brune-Franklin is best known for playing Maisie Richards in the BBC’s Our Girl (2017 – 2018). She has played minor roles in movies like Thor: Ragnarok but has focused her career in television, appearing in episodes of series like Doctor Doctor (2016), Bad Mothers (2019), Love Me (2021), and 2024’s Baby Reindeer, in which she played Keeley.
Brune-Franklin plays Mikaela in Dune: Prophecy, who is described as a strong-willed woman in service to the royal family who wants nothing more than to return to the home planet she has never even seen before.
Faolieann Cunningham is still early in her promising career. Her first significant role was in 2022’s The Northman, where she played Kormloth. Cunningham gained further recognition playing Ryl in the spinoff series for Netflix’s The Witcher, The Witcher: Blood Origin. Now, Sister Jen in Dune: Prophecy is Cunningham’s most significant role yet.
Cunningham’s character in Dune: Prophecy, Sister Jen, is described as a fiery and unpredictable acolyte at the Sisterhood school who is severely guarded regarding her emotional state.
Aoife Hinds made her movie debut in the 2018 movie The Commuter, in which she played Jeanie, and began her TV career that same year playing Tisha in the miniseries Immortality. Since then, Hinds has gained recognition for her roles in projects like Hulu’s Normal People (2020), The Long Call (2021) and Hellraiser (2022). 2024 brings this actor further notable roles since she will be appearing in the movies Scoop and We Live in Time.
Hinds plays Sister Emeline in Dune: Prophecy, an acolyte descended from a line of martyrs and is, therefore, highly pious.
British actor Chloe Lea got her big break playing Rosie Medford in the TV series Scott & Bailey in 2016. From there, she appeared in episodes of a variety of shows, like 2018’s Katy, and landed a reoccurring role (playing Viv) in 2020’s The Dumping Ground Survival Files. Lea’s other notable projects include Foundation (2021) and Great Expectations (2023).
Lea plays Lila in Dune: Prophecy, the youngest of the Sisterhood School’s acolytes, with a surprising amount of compassion for her age.
Australia-born actor Travis Fimmel is best known for playing Ragnar Lothbrok in the hit TV series Vikings from 2013 to 2017. He began his career as a model but played in a variety of movies and TV shows before landing his first on-screen role in the 2003 TV series Tarzan, in which he played the titular role. Since then, Fimmel has starred in TV shows like Raised by Wolves (2020), Black Snow (2023), and 2024’s Boy Swallows Universe.
Fimmel joins the cast of Dune: Prophecy after months of setbacks, playing Desmond Hart, a mysterious soldier seeking the favor of the Emperor, therefore pitting himself against the Sisterhood.