HBO's 'Dune: Prophecy' Expands the Universe with Intrigue and Power

The new series delves into the origins of the Bene Gesserit, setting the stage for a complex narrative of political and familial dynamics.

Set 10,000 years before the original 'Dune,' the series explores the formation of the Bene Gesserit, a powerful sisterhood central to the franchise.
'Dune: Prophecy' stars Emily Watson and Olivia Williams as Valya and Tula Harkonnen, sisters at the heart of the Bene Gesserit's rise to power.
The show is praised for its world-building, with detailed settings like the Bene Gesserit school and the imperial homeworld, Salusa Secundus.
Critics note the series' thematic similarities to other epic dramas, featuring complex power struggles and shadowy conspiracies.
The showrunner Alison Schapker emphasizes the importance of character-driven storytelling within the expansive sci-fi universe.