Dune: Prophecy introduces the Atreides and Harkonnen ancestors in a thrilling prequel—meet the characters

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HBO's prequel series Dune: Prophecy introduces a new generation of Atreides and Harkonnen families, 10,000 years before the events of Denis Villeneuve's two Dune films.

Timothee Chalamet (Paul Atreides), Austin Butler (Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen), and Florence Pugh (Prince Irulan) have long-ago forebears that are front and centre in this show, set in the distant past. Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) and Lady Margot (Lea Seydoux) are two members of the Bene Gesserit from the films, and the series explores their origins as a powerful group of witches who affect the politics of the world behind the scenes. Dune: Prophecy delves into the long-running rivalry between the Atreides and the Harkonnen families as well as the epic struggle between intelligent machines and mankind.

The Harkonnen sisters, Valya and Tula, are prominent members of the Bene Gesserit, and Olivia Williams and Emily Watson play their roles. Their goals include re-establishing the House of Harkonnen to its former grandeur, controlling the universe, and influencing Mark Strong's Emperor Javicco Corrino, who is the ancestor of Christopher Walken's Emperor Shaddam IV. They intend to indoctrinate Princess Ynez, the daughter of the Emperor (Sarah-Sofie Boussnina), and spread Bene Gesserit's influence throughout the cosmos. Dune viewers will encounter other members of the Harkonnen and Corrino families, as well as an Atreides royal—the great-great-grandfather of Paul Atreides, played by Timothee Chalamet—just for fun.

Dune: Prophecy deviates from the sandworm planet of Arrakis and its sandy setting, unlike the films. However, a handful of characters have ties to the barren desert that connects the two worlds.

Emily Watson as Valya Harkonnen

At this time, the Mother Superior of the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood is Valya. She is a member of the infamous House Harkonnen, which she and her sister Tula aim to help return to its rightful place. She has the ability to control others through the Voice. She is in charge of the Bene Gesserit, which are strong witches. They receive strategic training and placement among royal families across the universe to influence political decisions.

Olivia Williams as Tula Harkonnen

Being Valya's sister, Tula instructs the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood in the ways of deceit, honesty, and battle.

Mark Strong as Emperor Javicco Corrino

Emperor Javicco oversees the entire galactic empire, much like Christopher Walken's Emperor Shaddam IV in Dune: Part 2. He must negotiate an unstable period of peace in the cosmos while coming from a lengthy line of monarchs who were involved in wars.

Jodhi May as Empress Natalya

Natalya's marriage to Emperor Javicco brought harmony to thousands of universes. Princess Ynez, her daughter, is soon to become an influential member of the royal family and the Bene Gesserit.

Sarah-Sofie Boussnina as Princess Ynez

Like her future descendant, Princess Irulan, played by Florence Pugh in Dune: Part 2, Ynez is the only daughter of the Emperor and Empress. She's about to join the Bene Gesserit, but her relationship with her combat instructor, Keiran Atreides, gets difficult.

Josh Heuston as Constantine Corrino

An illegitimate son of Emperor Javicco, Constantine struggles to satisfy both his father's expectations and his own ambitions.

Chris Mason as Keiran Atreides

Timothee Chalamet's Paul Atreides shares significant familial ties with Keiran, the sole Atreides character on the show. A member of House Atreides, Keiran also teaches Princess Ynez to be a swordsman for the imperial family and secretly has feelings for her.

Mark Addy as Evgeny Harkonnen

Once a strong member of the exiled House Harkonnen, Evgeny is now the uncle of Valya and Tula. Given that his house has fallen out of favour in the cosmos, it is hardly surprising that the Harkonnen from the Dune films end up turning bald and pale. He is starting to show signs of ageing.

Edward Davis as Harrow Harkonnen

Harrow is another member of the Harkonnen family who provides Evgeny with advice. He plans to reunite their house with Valya to restore its grandeur.

Jihae as Reverend Mother Kasha

As an enduring member of the Bene Gesserit, Kasha provides direct service to the Emperor. The Bene Gesserit's position within the royal family is a crucial link in their network.

Tabu as Sister Francesca

Francesca was once the lover of the Emperor and is now a member of the Bene Gesserit. The Emperor's marriage to Natalya creates some awkwardness when she returns to the palace.

Jade Anouka as Sister Theodosia

There is a dark, strong secret that Theodosia, a trainee at the Bene Gesserit, is harbouring.

Chloe Lea as Sister Lila

As the youngest member of the Bene Gesserit, Lila possesses an enigmatic and profound link to the order's illustrious history.

Aoife Hinds as Sister Emeline

Emeline hails from a long line of martyrs and is a dedicated Bene Gesserit trainee.

Faoileann Cunningham as Sister Jen

The Bene Gesserit member Jen is erratic and secretive about her emotions.

Travis Fimmel as Desmond Hart

A soldier named Desmond managed to escape an enigmatic assault on Arrakis. He goes to see the Emperor as soon as he gets back so they can start a vital collaboration and share some essential information.