HBO’s ‘Dune: Prophecy’ Trades Galactic Action for the Sisterhood With Impressive Scale

Alci Rengifo

Spinoffs have become a required touch for any major franchise. When Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune” films premiered to acclaim and strong box office returns, as well as an instant fan base, there was no doubt some sort of streaming cousin would emerge. “Dune: Prophecy” is the expected result, airing on HBO and expanding on Villeneuve’s adaptation of Frank Herbert’s classic sci-fi novel. This series is also based on the novel “Sisterhood of Dune,” which was written by Herbert’s eldest son, Brian. Showrunner Alison Schapker’s job is clearly to follow the style established by Villeneuve. It is a worthy companion, full of visual elegance, though the plotting runs so patiently you really have to be devoted to this world to keep going.

The story is set 10,000 years before the events of “Dune,” although not much seems to have changed in terms of fashion or technology. Whispered voices tell us that “Victory is celebrated in the light, but it’s won in the darkness.” A quick prologue reveals how humans underwent an apocalyptic war with “thinking machines.” We are then introduced to Valya Harkonnen (first played by Jessica Barden), a young member of the Sisterhood, which is a precursor to the Bene Gesserit you will recall from “Dune.” It is a sect of women “truthsayers” meant to guide the universe’s nobles. When the Mother Superior dies, Valya clashes with a sister who is against the idea of running a genetics program to ensure proper rulers are bred. A tragic standoff results in Valya becoming the new Mother Superior. 30 years later, Valya (now played by Emily Watson), runs the Sisterhood with iron discipline. In the halls of power, Emperor Javicco Corrino (Mark Strong) runs the galaxy and is preparing to arrange the marriage of his daughter, Ynez (Sarah-Sofie Boussnina), to a family overseeing the all-important spice trade on arid Arrakis. It is an arrangement orchestrated by Valya that will soon be shattered by unforeseen adversaries.

That this series finally has arrived is an achievement. It was first in development in 2019, endured a pandemic and four showrunners. Yet, here it is. “Dune: Prophecy” is banking off the hit movies, and HBO is clearly pinning hopes on this series filling the “Game of Thrones” void. While “Dune” is a messianic epic centered on Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) rising as the Mahdi, “Prophecy” spends more time with monarchs as they scheme about marriages of convenience and dominating the spice trade. Intriguing characters matter more than action, even as this show does try to match the films’ visual scale with sequences of vast ships hovering in the cosmos. More engaging are the mysteries established early on. Desmond Hart (Travis Fimmel), a soldier from Arrakis who somehow survived an encounter with a sandworm, arrives in the court of Emperor Corrino like a rugged hero. By the end of the first episode, it is clear that he is a threat to the throne, and Valya’s plans, when a shocking series of murders take place. 

“Prophecy” sets up a cast of doomed or entrapped cosmic elites. Corrino’s daughter Ynez has quite a full plate. She’s being groomed to learn the ways of the Sisterhood, has been betrothed to a 10-year-old prince, and finds time to dabble in narcotics at an underground club while hooking up with her sword master. Her mother, Empress Natalya (Jodhi May) wishes Ynez would reject protocol and simply rule without all the traditional nonsense. Ynez’s brother, Constantine Corrino (Josh Heuston), knows he will probably never sit on any throne, so he spends his time seducing galactic maidens. Familiar names from “Dune” still pop in here and there, but remember this is 10,000 years ago. In this world, the maniacal Harkonnens are disgraced outliers on a freezing whaling planet. 

A welcome narrative link to the films, and an essential component of the Herbert novels, is how the Sisterhood represents themes of truth and human frailty. In many ways this secretive sorority is meant to protect honesty in the realm. The series gives the Sisterhood layers where they are more than just dutiful, quiet presences. Some of the younger women in training can get sarcastic and hostile with each other. Valya faces pushback from Reverend Mother Dorotea (Camilla Beeput), who believes the idea of the Sisterhood running a genetics program to tailor worthy rulers goes against the order’s founding principles. Valya faces that classic challenge of thinking a hands on approach will ensure corruption is kept at bay, which never works. 

How farther “Dune: Prophecy” will go in building its own world remains to be seen. Non fans may find it difficult to get into because so much prior knowledge is required to comprehend the settings and smaller intrigues between characters. The pacing is patient, because its intended audience is meant to bask in all the coded lingo plucked from every corner of the “Dune” universe. It is the nature of IP, where a major studio assumes everyone went to the big movie, so they will be prepped for the show. That doesn’t take away from the impressive scale of “Dune Prophecy.”  In the tradition of classic science fiction, it is at least about ideas and personalities. We may not get Zendaya, but we have Emily Watson trying to chart the course of empires. That alone makes this a streaming spinoff worth giving a chance.

“Dune: Prophecy” season one premieres Nov. 17 with new episodes airing Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO.