There’s a whole new generation of Atreides and Harkonnen families introduced in HBO’s prequel series “Dune: Prophecy,” set 10,000 years before the events of Denis Villeneuve’s two “Dune” movies.
Since the show is set so far in the past, there aren’t any traces of Timothee Chalamet as Paul Atreides, Austin Butler as Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen or Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan, but their long-ago ancestors take center stage here. The show follows the origins of the Bene Gesserit, the powerful group of witches who influence the universe’s politics behind the scenes (Rebecca Ferguson’s Lady Jessica and Lea Seydoux’s Lady Margot are two members of the Bene Gesserit in the films). The generations-long feud between the Atreides and Harkonnen family members is also explored in “Dune: Prophecy,” as is the historic war between humans and thinking machines.
Emily Watson and Olivia Williams star as Valya and Tula Harkonnen, two sisters who are high-ranking members of the Bene Gesserit. They plot to gain control over the universe, influence Mark Strong’s Emperor Javicco Corrino (the ancestor of Christopher Walken’s Emperor Shaddam IV) and restore House Harkonnen to its former glory. Their plan involves spreading the influence of the Bene Gesserit across the universe and indoctrinating the Emperor’s own daughter, Princess Ynez (Sarah-Sofie Boussnina). “Dune” fans will meet other members from House Harkonnen and Corrino, and there’s even an Atreides royal thrown in for good measure who’s the ancestor to Chalamet’s Paul Atreides.
Unlike the films, “Dune: Prophecy” takes place away from the sandy planet of Arrakis and its sandworms, but there are a few characters with origins that tie to the desert wasteland.
See the full cast below.
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Emily Watson as Valya Harkonnen
Valya is the current Mother Superior and leads the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood. Along with her sister Tula, she comes from the disgraced House Harkonnen and hopes to restore its honorable status. She’s able to use the Voice and command others to do her bidding. As the leader of the Bene Gesserit, she oversees the training of the powerful witches and strategically places them throughout royal families across the universe to pull political strings.
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Olivia Williams as Tula Harkonnen
Tula is Valya’s sister and teaches members of the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood in the arts of manipulation, truth-telling and combat.
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Mark Strong as Emperor Javicco Corrino
Like Christopher Walken’s Emperor Shaddam IV in “Dune: Part 2,” Emperor Javicco oversees the Imperium, which is the entire galactic empire. He comes from a long line of war-time rulers and must navigate an unsteady time of peace in the universe.
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Jodhi May as Empress Natalya
With her marriage to Emperor Javicco, Natalya united thousands of worlds in the universe into a time of peace. Her daughter is Princess Ynez, who’s set to join the Bene Gesserit and become a powerful piece of the royal family.
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Sarah-Sofie Boussnina as Princess Ynez
Ynez is the Emperor and Empress’ only daughter, just like her eventual descendant, Florence Pugh’s Princess Irulan in “Dune: Part 2.” She’s set to become the newest member of the Bene Gesserit, but she gets pulled into a complicated situation with her combat instructor Keiran Atreides.
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Josh Heuston as Constantine Corrino
Constantine is the illegitimate son of Emperor Javicco, who is torn between seeking his father’s approval and his own goals. (A hunky bastard of a royal on an HBO series? Sounds a lot like Jon Snow from “Game of Thrones.”)
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Chris Mason as Keiran Atreides
The only Atreides on the show, Keiran is the ancestor to Timothee Chalamet’s Paul Atreides, and the family genes are strong. In addition to being a member of House Atreides, Keiran is the swordmaster for the Emperor’s family and trains Princess Ynez — while also harboring a secret crush on her.
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Mark Addy as Evgeny Harkonnen
Evgeny is Valya and Tula’s uncle, and a once-powerful member of the banished House Harkonnen. Since his house has fallen out of favor in the universe, he’s looking a little worse for wear — and it’s no surprise the Harkonnen of the “Dune” movies end up going bald and pale.
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Edward Davis as Harrow Harkonnen
Harrow is another Harkonnen family member, who advises Evgeny. With Valya, he plots to restore their house to greatness.
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Jihae as Reverend Mother Kasha
Kasha is a longstanding member of the Bene Gesserit who personally serves the Emperor. Her place among the ruling family is one of the most important connections the Bene Gesserit has.
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Tabu as Sister Francesca
Francesca is a member of the Bene Gesserit and the Emperor’s former lover. Her return to the royal palace makes things a bit awkward, considering the Emperor has married Natalya.
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Jade Anouka as Sister Theodosia
Theodosia is a trainee at the Bene Gesserit who happens to harbor a dark and powerful secret.
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Chloe Lea as Sister Lila
Lila is the youngest member of the Bene Gesserit, and she has a deep, mysterious connection to its past.
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Aoife Hinds as Sister Emeline
Emeline is a zealous Bene Gesserit trainee who comes from a long line of martyrs.
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Faoileann Cunningham as Sister Jen
Jen is an unpredictable member of the Bene Gesserit who rarely reveals her true feelings.
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Travis Fimmel as Desmond Hart
Desmond is a soldier who survived a mysterious attack on Arrakis. Upon his return, he seeks out the Emperor to share important information and begin a crucial partnership.
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Shalom Brune-Franklin as Mikaela
Mikaela is a blue-eyed Fremen who serves the Emperor’ family, while longing for the home planet of Arrakis that she’s never truly known.