Dune: Prophecy official teaser is released as female-led prequel TV series gets fall premiere on Max

Max released a thrilling first look at its upcoming Dune TV series, Dune: Prophecy,  inspired by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson's novel Sisterhood of Dune.

The official teaser, which was first shown at Warner Bros. Discovery’s 2024 upfronts presentation on Wednesday in New York City, 'follows two Harkonnen sisters as they combat forces that threaten the future of humankind, and establish the fabled sect that will become known as the Bene Gesserit.'

According to the description, the new Max show is set 10,000 years before the birth of Timothee Chalamet's character Paul Atreides in the Dune film franchise.

The teaser begins with an unseen woman explaining: 'Before the universe would know us as the Bene Gesserit, we founded a sisterhood, assigned to the great houses to help them sift truth from lies.' 

Max released a thrilling first look at its upcoming Dune TV series, Dune: Prophecy, inspired by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson's novel Sisterhood of Dune

'We created a network of influence throughout the imperium, but power comes with a price,' she explains. 

Footage then panned to a stunning wedding, featuring a bride wearing a red gown, surrounded by rose petals, and an elaborate funeral scene. 

Later, Emily Watson, who portrays Valya Harkonnen, can be seen smiling from a throne as she declares that 'sisterhood' must come 'above all.' 

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Dune: Prophecy's first season will have six episodes and is set to debut this fall on Max.. 

The series, which was originally commissioned in 2019, was previously titled Dune: The Sisterhood. 

In addition to Watson, the series stars Olivia Williams, Travis Fimmel, Jodhi May, Mark Strong, Sarah-Sofie Boussnina, Josh Heuston, Chloe Lea, Jade Anouka, Faoileann Cunningham, Edward Davis, Aoife Hinds, Chris Mason, Shalom Brune-Franklin, Jihae, Tabu, Charithra Chandran, Jessica Barden, Emma Canning and Yerin Ha. 

Barden, 31, will appear in a recurring guest star role as the young Valya Harkonnen while Watson, 57, portrays the older version of the same character. 

Per Variety, the 'young Valya is described as ambitious, stubborn and forceful.' 

The official teaser, which was first shown at Warner Bros. Discovery’s 2024 upfronts presentation on Wednesday in New York City, 'follows two Harkonnen sisters as they combat forces that threaten the future of humankind, and establish the fabled sect that will become known as the Bene Gesserit'

According to the description, the new Max show is set 10,000 years before the birth of Timothee Chalamet's character Paul Atreides

The teaser begins with an unseen woman explaining: 'Before the universe would know us as the Bene Gesserit, we founded a sisterhood, assigned to the great houses to help them sift truth from lies'

She also 'dreams of restoring her family’s noble status.' 

A tragedy, however, derails her plans and 'she finds herself on a new path that leads to the Sisterhood.' 

Diane Ademu-John co-developed the series and serves as executive producer while Alison Schapker serves as showrunner and executive producer. 

Johan Renck, who directed the first two episodes, exited the series as did actress Shirley Henderson, who was set to portray one of the lead roles. 

'We created a network of influence throughout the imperium, but power comes with a price,' she explains

Footage then panned to a stunning wedding, featuring a bride wearing a red gown, surrounded by rose petals, and an elaborate funeral scene

Ademu-John, who wrote the first script, also 'stepped down as co-showrunner prior to production,' according to IndieWire. 

The publication noted that production 'in November 2022 and was paused in February 2023 due to the shake-ups.' 

At the time, an HBO Max spokesperson said in a statement that 'as Dune: The Sisterhood has entered a pre-scheduled hiatus, there are some creative changes being made to the production in an effort to create the best series possible and stay true to the source material.' 

'Johan Renck has completed his work on the series and a new director will be brought on; through mutual agreement, Johan is moving on to pursue other projects. Additionally, Shirley Henderson will be exiting the series and will no longer be playing Tula Harkonnen,' the spokesperson confirmed.

The TV series follows the incredible success of Dune: Part Two, which grossed more than $710 million worldwide at the box office this year. 

The first Dune ended its theatrical run with around $400 million globally in 2021.