**2024: The Year of Witches on TV, Now Featuring *Dune: Prophecy***
The year 2024 has proven to be exceptional for witches on television, showcasing everything from the *Brendok Force* practitioners in *The Acolyte* to the ill-fated coven in *Agatha All Along*. Now, *Dune: Prophecy* enters the arena, highlighting one of the most legendary witch-like factions in science fiction: the Bene Gesserit from Frank Herbert’s *Dune* universe.
The Bene Gesserit, renowned for their almost supernatural command over both mind and body, represent a formidable influence within the *Dune* narrative. Operating predominantly in secrecy, they skillfully manipulate the political dynamics of the Imperium with finesse and clarity. Despite their covert role in the original *Dune* literature and adaptations, their impact is indisputable. Thus, it’s hardly surprising that *Dune: Prophecy* elevates them to a central position, providing a more profound insight into the Sisterhood while enveloping viewers in a carefully constructed sci-fi realm that harmonizes political intrigue with the cosmic oddities emblematic of *Dune*.
### What is *Dune: Prophecy* About?
Drawing inspiration from *Sisterhood of Dune* by Brian Herbert (son of Frank Herbert) and Kevin J. Anderson, *Dune: Prophecy* unfolds over 10,000 years prior to Paul Atreides’ arrival. The Imperium, the expansive empire governed by noble families, differs tremendously from the world fans of the original novels or films by David Lynch and Denis Villeneuve might recall. Familiar surnames such as Atreides, Harkonnen, and Corrino appear, but these families are yet to develop into the iconic lineages we know.
During this era, the Imperium is still grappling with the aftermath of the Butlerian Jihad, a conflict against “thinking machines” that ultimately culminated in the ban on artificial intelligence. In the wake of this war, new power structures have risen, including the Bene Gesserit, who are still referred to simply as “the Sisterhood.” While they have yet to achieve the level of influence depicted in *Dune*, they are already serving the Great Houses as Truthsayers. However, abilities such as the commanding Voice are not widely practiced, and the breeding initiative designed to create the Kwisatz Haderach has not commenced.
Leading the Sisterhood is Mother Superior Valya Harkonnen (Emily Watson), who is intent on exploring human potential’s limits and augmenting the Sisterhood’s influence within the Imperium. Together with her sister Tula (Olivia Williams), Valya schemes to position a Sister on the Imperial throne. Their plans are propelled by a prophecy from the Sisterhood’s founder, Mother Raquella (Cathy Tyson), who predicted the ascendance of a tyrant that would threaten the Sisterhood’s existence.
Nevertheless, following a catastrophic assault on the Sisterhood, Valya must face a frightening prospect: Could her quest to empower the Sisterhood ultimately lead to its ruin, as foretold by Mother Raquella?
### *Dune: Prophecy* is Dense, but Epic
Valya’s fixation on prophecy is merely one strand within *Dune: Prophecy*’s expansive tale. At the same time, Emperor Javicco Corrino (Mark Strong) finds himself battling to keep control over the desert world of Arrakis. (Some elements, like Arrakis’s significance, remain constant, even after 10,000 years.) The Emperor also integrates the charismatic, Sisterhood-opposing soldier Desmond Hart (Travis Fimmel) into his close circle, generating conflict with Valya and his daughter Ynez (Sarah-Sofie Boussnina), who is eager to join the Sisterhood herself.
Simultaneously, the youthful acolytes of the Sisterhood endure rigorous physical and psychological training. Some, including the clever Sister Jen (Faoileann Cunningham), challenge the Sisterhood’s stringent governance over its members. Others, such as Sister Theodosia (Jade Anouka) and Sister Lila (Chloe Lea), maintain steadfast loyalty, even at the cost of stretching their limits. But are these choices genuinely theirs, or merely fulfilling prophecy’s mandates?
The show’s multitude of interconnected narratives can overload the senses, particularly when intertwined with *Dune*’s profound and intricate lore. The initial 10 minutes of *Dune: Prophecy* are densely packed with exposition, potentially narrowing its appeal to only the most devoted *Dune* enthusiasts. However, once the initial information overload subsides, the series evolves into a richly textured sci-fi saga with something for everyone.
For fans of political scheming, there is an abundance of plotting and negotiations that evoke *Game of Thrones*—but set in space. For those intrigued by the inner dynamics of the Sisterhood, there is much to explore.