When it premieres on HBO on November 17th, Dune: Prophecy will replace The Penguin on the schedule. The series continues HBO's recent trend of transforming blockbuster Warner Bros. film franchises into popular television series. Previous examples include The Penguin and Sopranos. Dune: Prophecy developers seized the opportunity to create a prequel tied to Denis Villeneuve's Dune, with similarities observed to another HBO massive hit, House of the Dragon.
Dune: Prophecy is adapted from the highly engaging Dune franchise comprising an elaborate backstory about the Bene Gesserit, a powerful sisterhood. This sophisticated narrative is based in part on the novel Sisterhood of Dune. The crux of the plot involves Valya Harkonnen's (played by Emily Watson and Jessica Barden) attempt to restore her family's reputation while seeking control of the galaxy through the power of the Sisterhood. The Sisterhood itself is about to gain momentum with the arrival of Emperor Javicco Corrino’s (Mark Strong) daughter, Princess Ynez (Sarah-Sofie Boussnina), followed by the only spice harvesting disaster survivor, soldier Desmond Hart (Travis Fimmel).
The storyline unfolds about 10,148 years before the birth of the franchise protagonist, Paul Atreides. It creates a rich background into the political structure of the Imperium and the origins of elements that would manifest later in the plot, such as the Voice. Despite the massive world-building, Dune: Prophecy struggles aesthetically as compared to Villeneuve's films. The series appears to be more confined as it lacks the expansive landscapes and epic vistas offered by the films.
Despite these drawbacks, Dune: Prophecy offers compelling performances from the ensemble cast. The standout episodes are fraught with unpredictable plot twists and character development. Supporting actors such as Mark Strong, Jodhi May, and Travis Fimmel bring their charisma and talent to the fore and contribute to the overall narrative. However, certain characters fall short, offering little in distinct or consistent personalities.
As a spin-off, Dune: Prophecy brings a lot to the table. Although the series starts slow, it gradually builds momentum and offers plenty of intrigue for viewers. Whether it can match the standards set by the likes of Game of Thrones remains to be seen, but it does hold promising potential in the long run.
