Dune: Prophecy Trailer Breakdown: Teases the Beginning of the Bene Gesserit

Ever since Dune gained popularity as a cult novel in the late 1960s, enthusiasts have pondered over how the epic tale could be adapted for the big screen.

Despite numerous film adaptations, an ongoing question remains: would a television series better serve the expansive narrative of the Dune mythos, rather than a string of films?

The initial preview for the upcoming Dune television series, titled Dune: Prophecy, appears to affirm this inquiry with a resounding affirmative.

1. Dune: Prophecy Trailer Analysis

The recently released trailer, the first to be shown to the general public, confirms that the series will take place 10,000 years prior to the birth of Paul Atreides. It will center on the manipulative tactics of the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood.

The series was initially titled Dune: The Sisterhood during the development phase, but it was later renamed Dune: Prophecy. This name change was also mentioned in Dune: Part Two (as well as the original novels). The Bene Gesserit’s long-term plan, as depicted in the series, involves implanting religious myths and dogmas on various planets. These beliefs are then used by their successors in the Sisterhood for political manipulation over the course of many generations.

Paul and his mother are commonly referred to as the “Lisan al Gaib,”a name given to them by the Bene Gesserit, who first introduced this idea on Arrakis 10,000 years ago in the book Dune: Prophecy.

2. Is Dune going the Game of Thrones way?

The first Dune: Prophecy trailer reveals a keen focus on the manipulation of power by the Bene Gesserit within the Imperium, making it one of the most intriguing aspects of the show.

According to the trailer, a “Sister”will ascend to the throne, indicating that a member of the Bene Gesserit will enter into a political marriage to become the de facto Empress of the Universe.

As portrayed by Emily Watson with great intensity, Valya Harkonnen is the central figure in all of this and appears to be assuming the role of the Reverend Mother during this particular point in the timeline. Additionally, Mark Strong commands a significant presence in this trailer as Emperor Javicco Corrino, the ancestor of Shaddam Corrino from the timeframe depicted in the first book.

Despite their familiar names, the characters “Harkonnen”and “Corrino”may not fit the expectations of those who have only seen the newer Dune movies, as their portrayal in the timeline may differ from what viewers imagine.

Not all Harkonnens may possess the same characteristics as depicted in the films, and House Corrino may be portrayed as less scheming.

The goal of Dune: Prophecy is to challenge our assumptions about these family legacies and catch us off guard with our perceptions of each of the archetypes within the Great Houses.

In fully embracing the feudal elements of Dune’s politics, this upcoming sci-fi series from Max appears to be taking a page from HBO’s playbook: when dealing with intricate political dynamics and high stakes fantasy, Game of Thrones is the obvious point of reference.

In many ways, the Dune show’s resemblance to Westeros is a full circle moment, as Dune was a pioneer in establishing the fundamental elements of Game of Thrones’ world-building. This further solidifies the impact and influence of Dune on the fantasy genre.

While it remains uncertain whether Dune: Prophecy will achieve the same level of success as the recent Dune films or Game of Thrones, this initial glimpse suggests that it is certainly aiming for it.

In the autumn of 2024, Dune: Prophecy will be available to stream on Max.

About Dune Prophecy

Dune Prophecy, a TV series currently in development at HBO Max, will be available exclusively on streaming platforms. Diane Ademu-John has been announced as the writer, showrunner, and executive producer for the series. Additionally, Denis Villeneuve has been selected to direct the pilot and serve as an executive producer.

The upcoming series, set in Frank Herbert’s Dune universe, will serve as a prequel to the film and is set to take place before Dune: Part One. It will follow the story of the Bene Gesserit, a secretive order of women, through their perspective in Dune: The Sisterhood.

Endowed with extraordinary abilities through their mastery of both the body and the mind, the Bene Gesserit skillfully navigate the intricate feudal politics and intrigue of The Imperium, driven by their own agendas that ultimately guide them to the enigmatic planet Arrakis, also known as Dune by its inhabitants.