Dawn of DUNE

An epic prequel series charts the rise of the Truthsayers

- HANNAH DAVIES, CAREN CLARK

Set in the Dune universe 10,000 years before Timothée Chalamet’s Paul Atreides, Sky Atlantic’s epic saga Dune: Prophecy tells the origin story of the Bene Gesserit, the matriarchal order of Truthsayers, who influence the sci-fi world’s politics behind the scenes.

Inspired by the novel Sisterhood of Dune, the six-part series stars Emily Watson and Olivia Williams as Valya and Tula Harkonnen, leaders of the Sisterhood, who have foreseen a darkness that could destroy them and will go to any lengths to cement their influence over the Imperium.

However, with Emperor Javicco Corrino (Mark Strong) feeling under threat from all sides, and control of the ‘spice’ world of Arrakis still in question, what unfolds is a dangerous power play with far-reaching consequences.

‘Corrino’s an emperor who’s not that confident in his power. His insecurity is palpable,’ says Strong, 61. ‘Superficially he’s in charge, but internally there’s a lot of self-doubt, which means that behind his facade is real turmoil.