HBO's forthcoming Dune prequel series, Dune: Prophecy, is set 10,000 years prior to the events depicted in the films. The show will focus on the Sisterhood, which evolved over time to become the Bene Gesserit. However, the latest trailer for the series reveals that the Sisterhood's survival is imperiled by a man intent on eradicating them. Travis Fimmel, known for his role in Vikings, portrays Desmond Hart, a figure who warns Emperor Javicco Corrino (Mark Strong) about the Sisterhood's growing influence and potential threat to his empire. Desmond's concerns are not unfounded, and Valya Harkonnen (Emily Watson), the leader of the Sisterhood, struggles to convince him of their benign intentions. As the trailer suggests, if this conflict is a battle for the empire's soul, the Sisterhood finds itself on the defensive while Desmond advances.
The trailer was showcased at New York Comic Con, where the creative team and cast members hinted at the series' upcoming plotlines. Showrunner Alison Schapker provided context for the story by explaining that Dune: Prophecy is set in the aftermath of humanity's war against intelligent machines. 'We are in the shadow of the wars,' Schapker noted. 'Computers, thinking machines, have been outlawed. Does that mean they're not floating around the universe in various ways, who knows? Humans have to strive to fill the voids of what used to be performed by technology. Now humans are coming to try and push the boundaries of what it means to be human.'
Dune: Prophecy is scheduled to debut on HBO and Max on November 17.
