Dune: Prophecy – Streaming now on MAX
Set 10,000 years before the events of “Dune” the series follows sisters Valya (Emily Watson) and Tula Harkonnen (Olivia Williams) as they establish the Bene Gesserit while combating forces that threaten humanity. As the show starts, their tenuous position is threatened by Desmond Hart (Travis Fimmel), a charismatic soldier with his own magical gifts, who commands the ear of Emperor Javicco Corrino (Mark Strong). In their quest to regain the upper hand and strengthen the Sisterhood’s control of Corrino, Valya and Tula are willing to lie, kill, and resort to any and every means to get their way. Though “Dune: Prophecy” has the scale and scope of a comic book adventure or action epic, it unfolds across a much murkier ethical landscape.
“It’s quite a departure for me to play somebody this badass,” Watson says about her character “Valya is really strong, driven, kind of manipulative, and very smart and clever. She is always one step ahead. But she’s good at letting other people think that they are the ones pulling the strings when she’s controlling the narrative. It’s kind of a dark art that she practices.”
Densely loaded with loyalty, betrayal, and high stakes, “Prophecy” offers a dramatic, compelling experience with just enough spice to keep you hooked. The show really shines in character development and intricate political maneuvering—areas where TV often has the upper hand. Showrunners Alison Schapker and Diane Ademu-John crafted a story that isn’t afraid to explore the complexities of power, heritage, and the costs of trying to control the future. “Dune” has long had a reputation as a nigh-impenetrable epic for the most hardcore of genre enthusiasts, turning the story into a mass phenomenon with eternally resonant themes like colonialism, environmentalism and religious zealotry.
Origo Studios in Hungary, the home base for Villeneuve’s “Dune” films, returns as the primary filming location, offering continuity and scale for the series.
Discussing the show’s multi-season potential, Schapker confirmed they have a detailed plan: “We do have a plan, and they’ve been eager to hear all of it.” Goldberg highlighted the studio’s support, noting, “They want it character-driven…thought-provoking, and just asked us to constantly make it surprising, propulsive, and visually breathtaking.”
With “Dune: Prophecy” set to premiere on Max on November 17, inviting audiences back to explore new depths of the “Dune” universe.
