Dune: Prophecy features several impressive characters. The show revolves around the establishment of the Sisterhood and the Bene Gesserit by sisters Valya Harkonnen and Tula Harkonnen.
As the show progresses, the power dynamics in the empire keep changing. In the final two episodes of the show, a new character is introduced, who adds another layer to the narrative. Sister Francesca, played by Tabu, enters the scene. She shares a complicated past with Emperor Javicco Corrino.
Sister Francesca is the former lover of Emperor Javicco in Dune: Prophecy. She and the Emperor have an illegitimate child, Constantine Corrino. Sister Francesca’s introduction significantly shifts the power in the empire.
Sister Francesca is Emperor Javicco’s former lover in Dune: Prophecy
Sister Francesca is introduced in Dune: Prophecy Episode 5, "In Blood, Truth." She returns to Salusa Secundus after years and shakes up the royal family. She used to be Emperor Javicco Corrino's mistress and Constantine's mother.
Her unexpected arrival disrupts the balance of power in the imperial court. The Emperor is still deeply in love with her due to her ability to "imprint." Her presence weakens Empress Natalya's influence and causes tensions within the family.
Though she claims to have returned because of a message from Constantine, it is revealed that Valya Harkonnen had sent the message. Valya hopes Francesca will influence the Emperor and the Imperial House to support the Sisterhood.
The Sisterhood has been struggling since the death of their leader, Mother Kasha, and sees Francesca as their chance to gain power with the Emperor. Francesca is tasked with getting the royal family on the Sisterhood’s side.
She convinces Javicco to trust Constantine and make him the new commander of the Imperial Fleet. This gives Constantine a chance to prove himself. Francesca also encourages Constantine to protect his sister, Princess Ynez, even arresting her secret ally, Keiran Atreides.
Her actions lead to a rift between the royal family. When Javicco announces Constantine’s new position, Natalya fumes with anger and feels humiliated. Meanwhile, upset about Keiran’s arrest, Ynez visits him in prison and learns he has been helping the rebellion. This makes Ynez question Constantine’s loyalty.
As the Sisterhood rises in power, Francesca is asked to kill Javicco in a secret mission. Even though she is not eager to murder her love, she goes ahead with the plan. However, Javicco decides to kill himself before Francesca can do it.
In a surprising twist in the Dune: Prophecy Season 1 finale, Natalya shows up when Javicco dies and shoots Francesca with the poison intended for her husband. Francesca bleeds to her death, along with the love of her life.
Actress Tabu reveals how she approached Sister Francesca’s character in Dune: Prophecy
Indian actress Tabu, who plays Sister Francesca in Dune: Prophecy, talked about how she prepared for and built her character in an interview with Variety. She said Francesca has a story of her own while being connected to the world of the Bene Gesserit:
“I was conscious of the world that Francesca belongs to. I wanted her to feel like she belongs to the world of the Bene Gesserit, but because she has such a strong personality and strong story of her own, which is not connected to the others and the other characters, it was interesting to straddle both these things.”
Further talking about the experience of playing the character, Tabu said:
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“It’s a very, very strong premise for me to build a character on, but also, the interesting part was because it was a romantic association that I was supposed to have with the Emperor. It gave this character its own space and its own potency to explore.”
Dune: Prophecy season 1 is available to stream on Max.
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