Dune: The Sisterhood has cast British actor Indira Varma in a key role. The Dune prequel series, which is being created for HBO Max, is based on the 2021 novel Sisterhood Of Dune, written by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson. The series will follow the origins of the Bene Gesserit, an ancient order of female spies who mysteriously plot to bring about the birth of their chosen one, hinted at in Denis Villeneuve's Dune. Set over 10,000 years before the events of Dune, the show centers on new characters the sisters of House Harkonnen as they work to protect mankind's future.
Diane Ademu-John serves as the prequel show's creator, writer, co-showrunner and executive producer, with Alison Schapker as her co-showrunner and functioning as an executive producer as well. Though the series was announced in 2019, production updates have been slim. It was announced in early October that the show had found its leads, with Emily Watson and Shirley Henderson cast as Valya Harkonnen and Tula Harkonnen, respectively. The Harkonnen Sisters are instrumental figures in the series, who will transform the organization known as The Sisterhood into the Bene Gesserit. Now, another exciting casting update has been announced.
Deadline reports that Indira Varma has joined the cast of Dune: The Sisterhood. The actor, who previously played Ellaria Sand in Game of Thrones and Tala Durith in Obi-Wan Kenobi, will portray the formidable Empress Natalya in the prequel series. The Empress' marriage to Emperor Corrino is said to have "united thousands of worlds." Based on the description of her character, it's likely that Varma will be portraying a highly capable and strategic figure similar to some of her previous roles.
Everything We Know About Dune: The Sisterhood
Given that Dune: The Sisterhood is still in the casting stages and Dune: Part Two is in the middle of production, it seems likely that the Dune sequel film, which just moved up its release to November 3, 2023, will come out before the prequel series. Since the prequel takes place thousands of years prior to the movie's events, it's unlikely that Rebecca Ferguson will reprise her role in Dune as Lady Jessica, Paul's (Timotheé Chalamet) mother and a key figure in the Bene Gesserit. Charlotte Rampling, who played Bene Gesserit member Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam, is also unlikely to appear. However, with the impressive talents of Varma, Watson, and Henderson, it's clear that the prequel is in good hands.
Villeneuve has previously stated that he has left the creation of Dune: The Sisterhood to showrunner Ademu-John as he focuses on crafting Dune: Part Two. As such, he is no longer set to direct the first episode, which will be helmed by Johan Renck. Though many details about the series have remained mysterious, it is expected to fill out some of the complex lore present in Dune's source material, making the movies easier to follow. Depending on the details about House Harkonnen revealed in Dune: Part Two, as well as Lady Jessica and the Bene Gesserit's role in the sequel, it's likely that the film will create even more intrigue and hype for Dune: The Sisterhood, which may provide key insights to the Bene Gesserit's motivations.
Source: Deadline
