by Thinus Ferreira
M-Net (DStv 101) has snagged the HBO Original science-fiction prequel series Dune: Prophecy which will broadcast as an Express from the US title on Mondays, from Monday 18 November at 21:00, similar to Sky in the United Kingdom.
Dune: Prophecy is a prequel series from Diane Ademu-John and Alison Schaper also serving as showrunner, set 10 000 years before the events of the Dune film of 2021 and its sequel.
Dune: Prophecy is produced by Legendary Television and has a 6-episode first season. It is inspired by the novel Sisterhood of Dune, written by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson.
The series is an origin story of the start and growth of the secretive and powerful Bene Gesserit sect of women, with the official logline stating that the story "follows sisters Valya and Tula Harkonnen as they combat forces that threaten the future of humanity, and establish the fabled sect known as the Bene Gesserit".
Besides the galactic machinations behind closed doors of the secretive sect to control the politics of the galaxy, Dune: Prophecy will also explore the origins of the interstellar family feud between the evil Harkonnens and the noble Atreides, although the Harkonnens when the series starts are not the vicious and depraved clan they end up being thousands of years later.
The TV series, filmed in Hungary, is a direct spin-off from the 2021 film and will debut on HBO in the United States on 17 November.
Sky in the United Kingdom and MultiChoice's DStv will both show Dune: Prophecy on 18 November as an Express from the US title, after it was rebranded in July as an HBO Original.
Another upcoming series, Lanterns, was also rebranded as an HBO Original and will tell a Green Lanterns story, making it very likely also an M-Net and Showmax acquisition.
After the release of two Dune: Prophecy teasers over the last few months, HBO released an official trailer on Thursday at New York Comic Con.
It stars Mark Strong as the emperor, together with Travis Fimmel, Emily Watson, Olivia Williams, Jessica Barden, Jodhi May, Sarah-Sofie Boussnina, Josh Heuston, Chloe Lea, Jade Anouka, Faoileann Cunningham, Edward Davis and Aoife Hinds.