Dune Prophecy: Blockbuster film spin-off series to explore the powers of the mysterious Bene Gesserit sisters

If someone tells you, in a syrupy voice, that they’re “not a threat to anyone”, it usually means they are.

That empty promise comes from Valya Harkonnen, portrayed by British actor Emily Watson, in the upcoming Dune spin-off series, Dune: Prophecy, and it’s indicative of the secret agendas, veils and mistruths in its world.

In the works for five years, Dune: Prophecy has finally released its full trailer and revealed its premiere date will be November 18.

The series hails from the world of Frank Herbert’s Dune universe, which was recently adapted for the big screen with two films by Denis Villeneuve and starring Timothee Chalamet as Paul Atreides.

Dune: Prophecy is set 10,000 years before the events of Dune and Paul’s rise. The series will focus on the foundation of the Bene Gesserit, the mysterious order of priestesses who can see into the future, tell if you’re lying and compel your actions with their words.

In the films, the Bene Gesserit are powerful and key advisors to the emperor. Dune: Prophecy will explore how they came to be, starting with two Harkonnen sisters, Valya and Tula (Olivia Williams), as they set out to secure the future of humanity in a time of chaos.

The big-budget series spans six episodes and has an enormous ensemble cast, many of whom are glimpsed in the two-and-a-half-minute trailer.

In addition to Watson and Williams, Mark Strong will play the emperor, Javicco Corrino, while Australian actor Travis Fimmel will portray a soldier who is a rival to the Bene Gesserit in trying to influence the emperor.

Fimmel is among the many Australians in the cast, which also includes Shalom Brune-Franklin (Line of Duty, Love Me), Josh Heuston (Heartbreak High), Yerin Ha (Bridgerton) and Brendan Cowell.

The international cast also includes Jessica Barden, Tabu, Jihae, Aoife Hinds and Sarah-Sofie Boussnina.

Watson told a panel at New York Comic Con on Friday: “What was really delicious to me as an actor about coming into this world was that these are from a truly, truly, recognisably messed-up family.

“They’ve had an awful childhood and it’s sort of propelled them away. Nothing, nothing in this world is good and bad, everything is compromised and strange, and yet what Valya Harkonnen sets her sights on is really determining the right path for humankind. That’s her ambition.”

The series was announced in 2019 and has seen changes behind the scenes in its creative team. It was originally to have Villeneuve onboard to direct the pilot. He later pulled out due to scheduling conflicts with the production of the films.

The showrunner was replaced twice with Jon Spaihts and Diane Ademu-John both exiting throughout the process. Alison Schapker eventually took on the role. The director hired to take over from Villeneuve, Johan Renck, also left and was replaced by Anna Foerster.

At NYCC, Schapker said of following Villeneuve’s movies: “The films set such a high bar and I think really unlocked Dune for many people, and just invigorated the entire, I don’t even want to call it a franchise.

“We definitely like we wanted to just strive in every way to be worthy of holding down a different corner of the Dune universe, (so) that fans who engage with the films and loved the films would feel that they were seeing a different part of the story that could also speak to films.

“We love what Denis did, and we tried very hard to do our best and live up to what he claimed.”

Dune: Prophecy will premiere on Binge on November 18