The ‘Dune’ Prequel Series at HBO Max Announces Its Leads

Article Image
Photo Source: Fred Duval/Cineberg/Shutterstock.com

Greenlit means a project is officially a go, so all you have to do is follow these leads to stay up to date. You never know where you’ll find an opportunity to land an audition.

The emergence of the Bene Gesserit is on the horizon. HBO and Legendary have at last announced the first casting of its upcoming “Dune” prequel series. The series was ordered back in June 2019. Learn the latest about the new project—including the forthcoming “Dune” feature sequel—below.

Emily Watson and Shirley Henderson Will Star in HBO Max’s ‘Dune’ Prequel Series 

HBO Max and Legendary Television are building up their upcoming “Dune” prequel series, and the first casting has now been confirmed.

Emily Watson (“Breaking the Waves,” “Hilary and Jackie”) and Shirley Henderson  (The “Harry Potter” franchise, “Okja”) will lead the series, which is titled “Dune: The Sisterhood.” Per the official logline, the show, based on the novel “Sisterhood of Dune,” will be set 10,000 years before the events of “Dune.” The show will follow the Harkonnen Sisters as they battle evil forces and establish the fabled sect, Bene Gesserit. Watson and Tula will play Valya and Tula Harkonnen, respectively. 

HBO ordered the project back in June 2019, more than two years prior to the release of the box office-breaking “Dune” feature from Denis Villeneuve. The first of the two planned films won six Academy Awards and grossed $400 million worldwide at the box office since October 2021. Villeneuve will also executive produce the prequel series. 

As we previously reported, the upcoming sequel will star Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Josh Brolin, Rebecca Ferguson, Stellan Skarsgård, Javier Bardem, Florence Pugh, Christopher Walken, Austin Butler, and more. It is expected to be released in theaters in November 2023 and is now in production.

Diane Ademu-John (“The Haunting of Bly Manor,” “Empire”) is the series creator, executive producer, and co-showrunner alongside Alison Schapker. Schapker serves as co-showrunner and executive producer. Johan Renck, who worked with Watson on “Chernobyl,” will direct the premiere episode and executive produce. 

Julie Harkin is the series casting director. For those interested in potentially joining the “Dune” prequel series, be sure to keep an eye on our HBO casting calls. Here, you’ll find various HBO, Showtime, and Netflix projects that are actively casting. We update the roundup on a regular basis, so it’s a great place to land a major gig.

Looking to get cast? Apply to casting calls on Backstage.