Ahead of the release of Denis Villeneuve’s (Blade Runner 2049) upcoming Dune adaptation, Warner Media has greenlit a spinoff series for their streaming platform.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the series will be produced by Dune cowriter Jon Spaihts along with Brian Herbert and focus on an enigmatic order of women called the Bene Gesserit with the ability to control every aspect of their own bodies, as well compel others to obey them. While the order seems monastic in structure (they follow a leader called The Reverend Mother Superior), the group is also deeply involved in the plotting and politics of the wider Dune ecosystem.
According to Villeneuve, the Bene Gesserit was a facet of the Dune story that held a particular interest for him: “The Bene Gesserit have always been fascinating to me. Focusing on a series around that powerful order of women seemed not only relevant and inspiring but a dynamic setting for the television series.”
Given the complex, expansive nature of Herbert’s novels, it makes sense that the film and television iterations would also spread out to the various corners of this universe. For now, we don’t know much more than that, however, the fact that Warner Bros. and Legendary decided to push Dune: The Sisterhood straight to series suggests that they have confidence in the film Villeneuve and team are delivering.
Villeneuve’s film features an eclectic and accomplished cast including Timothee Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Dave Bautista, Stellan Skarsgard, Charlotte Rampling, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Jason Mamoa, Zendaya, and Oscar Isaac. Dune takes place in an interstellar society governed by feudal tenets, where noble houses battle over resources. Paul Atreides, a gifted young man, travels to a desert planet where malevolent forces battle for control over a drug that extends life and enhances mental ability. Dune interweaves religion, politics, technology, and ecology in a galaxy-spanning adventure story.
Originally published June 12, 2019. Updated June 13, 2019.
