Critics and TV buffs are raving about “Dune Prophecy”, which is currently showing on M-Net and Showmax.
One reviewer Gina Sau Ders wrote: “As a prequel series, it is so much better than the GoT debacle. The characters are interesting and the story remains true to the essence of the ‘Dune’ novels.
“As a girl, the first ‘Dune’ book was one of my favourites and I'm so glad that this series has gone back in time to explore the beginnings of the Bene Gesserit. I'm enjoying this adaptation and cannot wait for the next episode.”
Those who aren’t au fait with the books have probably watched the Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya-anchored film franchise, with the second movie releasing earlier this year.
“Dune: Prophecy” is set 10,000 years before the ascension of Paul Atreides, where two Harkonnen sisters Valya (Emily Watson plays the older version with Jessica Barden as the Young Valya), and Tula (Olivia Williams, with Emma Canning playing the younger version) join the Sisterhood, an order of women trained to serve the Great Houses of the Imperium as Truthsayers.
However, things go pear-shaped when Mother Superior Raquella Berto-Anirul (Cathy Tyson), the founder of the movement, dies after predicting a tyrannical coup and a body torched.
Three decades later, Valya, now the Mother Superior, continues the legacy by training Princess Ynez, daughter of Emperor Javicco Corrino, to marry nine-year-old Pruwet Richese, which will stabilise the Corrino bloodline for generations while strengthening their control of the desert planet Arrakis and its invaluable spice.
Meanwhile, Imperial Truthsayer Kasha Jinjo has disturbing visions after encountering soldier Desmond Hart, who reveals that Imperium-based insurgents were behind the ambush that wiped out his entire regiment and not the native Fremen.
Valya is dismissive of the news, much to her regret later.
The six-part prequel follows the sisters as they combat forces that threaten the future of humanity and establish the fabled sect known as the Bene Gesserit, a group which seeks to acquire power and influence to direct humanity on an enlightened path.
Watson and Williams recently shed light on their roles in the series.
Williams (“The Sixth Sense”, “Anna Karenina” and “Victoria & Abdul” fame) started by saying, “I rang Emily and said, ‘What have we got ourselves into?’”
On stepping into the “Dune” universe, she added: “I realised I was on the verge of something major when I told the man fitting my TV, I was playing Tula Harkonnen, and he knelt at my feet.
“It's a big deal; you are dealing with the things that people grew up with. It’s like, ‘Don't mess with Peter Pan’. You have to be careful with what you do.
“Fortunately, we had Alison (Schapker) at the head of this, who loves ‘Dune’. She is a proper nerd, a great writer, and passionate about the representation of women in sci-fi - and it's about bloody time.”
Known for her roles in “War Horse”, “Kingsman: The Golden Circle” and the mini-series “Chernobyl”, Watson added: “ I’m quite glad I didn’t know the extent of it when I joined.
“The fan universe, the size of the world, and all the different elements of it are vast and intimidating, but it was a delicious dish for an actor to join because it's so complicated.”
On their notable chemistry as sisters, Watson admitted: “Well, we've known each other for decades.”
She pointed out that Valya’s steely disposition is informed by her past.
She shared: “A few things happen to her to make her how she is. She feels the insult to her family who were banished based on a lie. She feels it in every fibre of her being.
“Her brother is killed; she thinks by an Atreides. That is the moment that her heart just freezes. He was the love of her life. She worshipped him and they had an incredible relationship and something died inside her on that day.
“The rage is so strong, but she's then very vulnerable, directionless, and furious, and a charismatic leader goes: ‘I see you. You're really special. You're powerful. Come with me. You're going to help me shape the universe’.
“That's such a dangerous thing to do to a young person because it makes them believe that the end justifies the means, and they commit all kinds of atrocities because they think that the cause is righteous.
“That's something we see repeated across religions and cults across the world. That's why she's a bit f***** up.”
Williams weighs in: “We owe a lot to the young actresses, Emma (Canning) and Jess (Barden), who played us. They set the tone for us to take the grudge into adulthood.
“I'm a younger sister, and as the younger sister, to survive, you have to be quiet. Valya takes up the angry, noisy, loud. There's this great misunderstanding about shy and quiet people. People think they're good and sweet, but they're not.
“Their anger is internalised, which we know is a very, very dangerous thing to do. So look out for the quiet ones.”
Viewers with a profound appreciation of period pieces, especially women-centric offerings, this one is not to be missed as it unveils how betrayal, power, politics and secrets influence the unfolding drama.
∎ “Dune: Prophecy” airs on M-Net (DStv channel 101) on Mondays at 9pm, streaming 30 minutes later on Showmax. You can also binge-watch the two movies from New Year’s Day.