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For those unfamiliar with Frank Herbert’s vast sci-fi universe,Dune: Prophecymight seem like an intimidating choice for their weekly dose of TV. The HBO Original series is now streaming on Max, but franchise newcomers might wonder whether they need to have watched any previousDunefilms or read a few books to understand the show.
The doubts are understandable. The “Duniverse” has existed since the release of Frank Herbert’s novelDunein 1965, and is made up of numerous novels along with their film and TV adaptations. In 2021, the first installment ofDenis Villeneuve’s two-part film seriesbrought the story of the best-selling sci-fi novel back into the mainstream. Soon after Legendary Entertainment acquired the screen rights to the books, their TV division greenlit a spin-off project for the films, now released asDune: Prophecy.
IsDune: ProphecyConnected To the Movies?
Dune: Prophecy Works As A Prequel To The Films
Yes,Dune: Prophecyis directly connected to Denis Villeneuve’s films. However, their positions in the universe’s timeline differ significantly. Saying thatProphecyis a prequel, or takes place in the past, would be an understatement. The first episode establishes that the show isset 10,148 years before the birth of Paul Atreides. It is also set 116 years after another key historical event in the Duniverse: the end of the great machine wars, orthe Butlerian Jihad, as the books call it.
All of this might seem overwhelming for a viewer unfamiliar withDune, but the episode’s first 12 minutes provide a solid setup for the storyline. It avoids revealing too many secrets or confusing the audience with excessive exposition. In this way, the show draws viewers in while maintainingDune’s signature mysterious vibe. It’s worth noting that some recurring elements may be hard to grasp, especially for newcomers, like spice,the Sisterhood, Harkonnens,the Voice, or Arrakis. However, viewers can pick up on these details through context as the series progresses.
Do Denis Villeneuve’sDuneFilms Matter For UnderstandingProphecy?
Simply put, an average viewer can tune intoDune: Prophecyon HBOwithout having watched the films or read the books. It’s a perfectly acceptable starting point for a newcomer to the franchise. Moreover, with the six-episode series releasing weekly – and only two episodes available so far – fans can even find time to watchDune: Part OneandPart Twoin betweenProphecyepisodes. This approach improves the overall experience by providing more context, and, of course, making them more eager and watchful for Easter eggs.
The ongoing HBO Original series focuses onValya Harkonnen, the second Mother Superior of the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood, and her efforts to control the bloodlines of the Great Houses through secret breeding programs. The animosity between the Harkonnens and the Atreides is evident from the get-go, even in this distant era of the timeline. In terms of setting, most ofDune: Prophecy’s events unfold onSalusa Secundus and Wallach IX, withminimal emphasis on Arrakis. Emily Watson, who stars as Valya, even joked about the show’s ancient timeline inan interview with IGN:
We are 10,000 years before the birth of Paul Atreides, and we like to call it 10,000 years BC, Before Chalamet.
Because the events ofDune: Prophecyare so distant from the events of Villeneuve’s movies, they can be enjoyed as a separate story within the same universe, regardless of whether one is familiar with Paul Atreides' story or not.
HowDune: ProphecyFits Into The Larger “Duniverse”
Which Book IsDune: ProphecyBased On?
Dune: Prophecy’s connection (or lack thereof) to Villeneuve’s movies is best understood through its source material. The Timothée Chalamet-led films are an adaptation ofFrank Herbert’s original 1965 novel. By contrast, the HBO series draws from theGreat Schools of Dunetrilogy (2012–2016), which was written by Herbert’s son, Brian Herbert, and Kevin J. Anderson. The new project exploresthe origins of the Bene Gesseritand their actions and goals. Their story sheds more light on their role in the movies and Herbert’s original books, even though the two stories are separated by 10,000 years. Inan interview with Collider, showrunner and executive producer Alison Schapker addressed concerns about accessibility:
Dune is so dense, it’s so well thought out, it’s so vivid, and it wouldn’t be Dune unless we embrace that aspect of it. […] We really try to have multiple levels in the show, so if you’ve never seen the movies, or if you haven’t read the books, you can come in through these characters and discover the world. But for those who have, we want to have a rich, exciting, dense experience.
Villeneuve’s Films Will Influence Every FutureDuneStory
Story and timelines aside, it’s clear that the creators ofDune: Prophecyare intentionally replicating the tone and essence of the film duology. BothDunefilms were cinematic achievements in every sense – fromGreig Fraser’s cinematography, to Hans Zimmer’s score, to the excellence of technical departments like editing, sound, production design, and more. These films have established a visual blueprint, not just for any futureDuneretelling, but potentially for the entire science fiction genre. This influence extends to theHBO spinoffas well, even though it is set 10,000 years apart from the films and features an entirely new cast of characters.
And it’s not just Denis Villeneuve’sDunefilms that feel distant fromDune: Prophecy. Most screen adaptations of the Duniverse have centered on Paul Atreides’ timeline or events that directly follow. This includesDavid Lynch’sDune(1984)and the TV adaptationsFrank Herbert’s DuneandChildren of Dunein the early 2000s. As a result,Dune: Prophecyworks as a prequel to all of them, and can be understood without prior knowledge of these stories. Who knows — it might even serve as an excellent spiritual precursor to themuch-hypedDune: Messiah,which is currently in development.
