Dune: Prophecy is premiering in days. The prequel series takes place 10,000 years before the events in Frank Herbert’s first Dune novel, and centers on the growing influence of the Bene Gesserit, specifically through the actions of the Reverend Mother, Valya, played by Emily Watson.
Valya, along with her sister Tula (played by Olivia Williams), happen to be Harkonnens, the family that aim to destroy House Atreides in Dune. The Harkonnens are ruthless in Herbert’s novel, and the Harkonnens from 10,000 years ago appear to be the same.
“Everything she does is fueled by rage and a sense of vengeance,” Watson said about Valya at a press conference Reactor attended. “And then she was spotted by a charismatic cult leader who said, ‘I see you. You’re very powerful. You’re very special… come and help me shape the future of mankind.’ And that’s an incredibly dangerous, enabling thing to do to someone who is essentially, probably bears some kind of DNA relation to a shark.”
Watson later added that nothing fazes Valya: “Terrible things are happening. People are dying all around her. And she’ll be just figuring out, ‘What can I get from this situation? How can I advance the cause? How does that serve me?’”
Williams added that Tula, who is Valya’s younger sister, keeps her rage inside. “But watch out for the quiet ones,” she warned at the same press conference, adding that Tula’s “science nerd” background allows her to eliminate her enemies efficiently and effectively. “She’s troubled by her conscience,” said Williams. “But does it make you a better person if you cry while you’re killing people?”
You can see the Harkonnens in action when Dune: Prophecy premieres on HBO and Max on Sunday, November 17, 2024, at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT. New episodes drop subsequent Sundays.
