Is Dune: Prophecy connected to the movies? Connections and timelines explored in depth

Dune: Prophecy is the next big thing for fans of the Dune universe. But, is Dune: Prophecy connected to the Dune movies? The answer is yes.

But, although the series shares ties with Dune: Part One and Dune: Part Two, starring Timothée Chalamet, it’s also carving out its own unique path by taking us a whopping 10,000 years back in time.

The storyline will be about the roots of the Bene Gesserit and the Harkonnen family. It will peel back layers of history and mystery. And, it’s not just drawing from Frank Herbert’s novel Dune. It’s also inspired by the 2012 sci-fi novel Sisterhood of Dune by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson.

Here’s everything we know about the connection of Dune: Prophecy to the movies.

Disclaimer: The article reflects the author's opinion. Reader discretion is advised.

When is Dune: Prophecy set?

The series is set 10,000 years before Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet’s character) enters the picture. It’s a time before the Bene Gesserit became the all-powerful sisterhood we know.

At its heart, the story revolves around Tula Harkonnen and Valya. They are the founding matriarchs of the Bene Gesserit. These women are ancestors to pivotal characters like Lady Jessica, Paul, and Baron Vladimir Harkonnen.

The show is going deep into how this secretive, matriarchal society came to be. That also includes their extremely thorough physical and mental training that led to superhuman abilities.

While stars like Rebecca Ferguson and Javier Bardem won’t appear, the cast is still stacked. Emily Watson and Olivia Williams will feature, alongside Mark Strong, Tabu, Chris Mason, Jodhi May, Shalom Brune Franklin, Chloe Lea, and Sarah-Sofie Boussnina.

The connection between Dune: Prophecy and the movies

Dune: Prophecy is set in the same universe as Denis Villeneuve’s Dune movies.

But, the time gap makes direct connections tricky. There will be familiar themes, like power struggles, family dynamics, and the long-term plans of the Bene Gesserit.

The series might drop little breadcrumbs foreshadowing events and characters millennia away. For example, the Harkonnens, usually the antagonist in Villeneuve’s movies, take center stage here.

This shift offers a chance to explore their backstory in a way the movies never could. Hence, it may change the way we've looked at them all this while.

Jordan Goldberg, executive producer of Dune: Prophecy shared his thoughts with Screen Rant on the time gap between the series and the movies:

"It's very exciting to be that far away because it allows us some room to play. But, at the same time, these are families that go on for 10,000 years and feuds that go on for 10,000 years and institutions that grow up. So, in some ways, we're looking at the young Imperium and the films are much more advanced, but they do have echoes through time and I think that's very Dune — to not be afraid of long plans."

Production and release

The show is set to premiere on Max on November 17, 2024. Season 1 will be six episodes long, releasing weekly on Sundays. While it’s being called a mini-series for now, we’re crossing our fingers for more seasons if it turns out to be a hit.

The first teaser gave us a glimpse of the drama, stunning visuals, and the all-important space politics we’ve come to love.

With the Harkonnens as the center of focus, the show has a golden opportunity to add depth to a family often painted as pure evil. Maybe they weren’t always the villains? Or maybe they were, just in a more complex way. We will know it all in time.

Also read: Dune: Prophecy - Release details, plot, cast and more about the awaited show