For many years, Frank Herbert's science fiction novel Dune was considered to be a story so epic that it was practically impossible to adapt. After all, how could one capture the strange, imaginative, and incredibly expansive world of Dune in a visual format? Nevertheless, many creatives, including the legendary David Lynch, have tried, and now, nearly 60 years after the original novel was published, we have not one but two critically acclaimed movies based on the novel—Dune: Part One and Dune: Part Two, both directed by Canadian visionary Denis Villeneuve. These films have been so well-received that a third installment—Dune: Messiah—is set to hit big screens in 2026.

But the story doesn’t end there. While you wait for Messiah, go deeper on the world of Dune with the upcoming HBO streaming series Dune: Prophecy, arriving in November 2024. Set 10,000 years before the events of the Dune movies, Dune: Prophecy is the origin story of the Bene Gesserit, a powerful religious sisterhood who have trained their bodies and minds to harness seemingly magical powers. TV veteran Alison Schapker (Alias, Fringe, Lost, Altered Carbon) is the project’s showrunner, writer, and executive producer.

What is Dune: Prophecy About?

Dune: Prophecy is based on the prequel novel Sisterhood of Dune, written by Brian Herbert (the son of Dune’s originator, Frank Herbert) and Kevin J. Anderson. The series will follow two sisters, Valya and Tula Harkonnen, who also happen to be the Bene Gesserit’s founding mothers. While a lot of specifics about the series remain unknown, we do know that the novel takes place shortly after the Butlerian Jihad, also known as the Great Revolt. This was a major revolt against computers and "thinking machines" under the prevailing concept that "Man may not be replaced." Following two generations of violent revolution, all technology was completely banned. In the aftermath of this violence and time of unrest, the Harkonnen family seeks to regain its power.

It is unclear how closely Dune: Prophecy will follow the plot of Sisterhood of Dune, but if you're looking to learn more about the Harkonnens and the Bene Gesserit before the release of the new series, this listen is a great place to start—especially as many of the characters who have been announced in the series thus far do seem to align with the characters seen in Sisterhood. Also, considering the original name for this series was Dune: The Sisterhood, it's safe to imagine there will be quite a few parallels.

Who are the Bene Gesserit?

The Bene Gesserit, also known simply as the Sisterhood, were not always as influential and powerful as they are during the events of Dune. In the beginning, the Sisterhood was a smaller organization only known on the planet Rossak. The Sisterhood of Rossak harnessed the hallucinogenic powers of a substance found on their planet to achieve seemingly supernatural abilities, such as clairvoyance. When Emperor Salvador Corrino discovered that the Sisterhood was secretly using computers, he disbanded the Sisterhood, and the computers were destroyed.

Many former members of the Sisterhood of Rossak moved to Wallach IX where they reestablished themselves as the Sisterhood of Wallach IX and continued to perfect their supernatural powers. When their leader, Reverend Mother Raquella Berto-Anirul, knew she was nearing her death, she named Valya Harkonnen as co-leader alongside Dorotea, founder of the Orthodox Sisterhood. However, after Raquella's death, Valya used her powers of Voice to convince Dorotea to end her own life. As the sole leader of the Sisterhood, Valya was able to restructure their mission and rename the Sisterhood "the Bene Gesserit Order."

Unlike the previous incarnation as the Sisterhood of Rossak, the Bene Gesserit was a political force trained in combat, assassination, and political intrigue. The Bene Gesserit earned places on the Imperial Court and Houses Major and quickly became a formidable political power with major influence. The order has many powers that make them nearly impossible to defeat, including: regulating body temperature to survive in harsh climates, detecting concealed thoughts and emotions in others, altering consciousness, fighting in hand-to-hand combat, and much more.

Who are the main characters of Dune: Prophecy?

Valya Harkonnen

Two-time Oscar nominee Emily Watson plays Valya Harkonnen, the leader of the Sisterhood. Of all the members of House Harkonnen, Valya is the most discontent with the family's standing following the Butlerian Jihad. Valya blames Vorian Atreides for what has happened to her family and vows to get revenge on the Atreides family. This is the beginning of the feud between House Atreides and House Harkonnen that we see continued through the Dune series. Valya dedicates her life to studying combat skills and developing her powers and eventually establishes the Sisterhood. Under the tutelage of Mother Superior Raquella Berto-Anirul, Valya discovers the powers of the Rossak drug. Valya also becomes skilled at sword fighting, unarmed combat, and Voice, a power that gives the user complete control of the mind and body of their opponent. As Valya grows stronger, revenge remains at the top of her mind.

Tula Harkonnen

Olivia Williams (The Crown) will star alongside Watson as Valya's sister, Tula Harkonnen. Tula joins the Bene Gesserit and helps her sister Valya establish the Order as the force it will later become. Tula is also complicit in Valya's plot for revenge. Under the advisement of her sister Valya, Tula murders her husband, Orry Atreides, on their wedding night.

The wider cast of Dune: Prophecy

Travis Fimmel (Saved By Wolves) plays Desmond Hart, a new character created for the series. Desmond is a soldier who aims to gain the trust of Emperor Javicco Corrino, who is played by Mark Strong (The King's Man). Jodhi May (The Last of the Mohicans) plays Empress Natalya-Arat; Sarah-Sofie Boussnina (The Bridge, 1864) plays Princess Ynez, heir to the Golden Lion Throne; Shalom Brune-Franklin (Our Girl) plays a strong-willed Fremen woman named Mikaela; and Faoileann Cunningham plays Sister Jen. Chloe Lea plays Lila, and Aoife Hinds plays Sister Emeline—they're both acolytes training at the Sisterhood School.

When and where can you watch Dune: Prophecy?

Dune: Prophecy will be released on HBO and streaming on MAX in November 2024. The first season consists of six episodes. According to IMDB, the first episode is titled "The Hidden Hand," the second is "Two Wolves," and the third is "Sisterhood Above All." Titles for the second half of the season have yet to be announced. While we do know that we can expect the series this November, specific air dates for each episode have not been announced yet.

Can’t wait for Dune: Prophecy to hit the small screen? In the meanwhile, give Sisterhood of Dune and its sequels, Mentats of Dune and Navigators of Dune, a listen. You never know—we might just see more from the Schools of Dune series if Dune: Prophecy should get renewed for further seasons. And don't forget to listen to the whole Dune Saga for a glimpse of just how expansive Frank Herbert's world is.