**’Dune: Prophecy’: Why Is the Sisterhood Not Called the Bene Gesserit?**


Set 10,000 years prior to the events of *[Dune](https://mashable.com/category/dune)*, the new series *[Dune: Prophecy](https://mashable.com/article/dune-prophecy-review-hbo)* continues to showcase numerous well-known names from Frank Herbert’s legendary novel. Viewers will see the involvement of House Harkonnen, House Atreides, and House Corrino, all appearing in varying roles.

Nevertheless, a significant omission is the Bene Gesserit. This might come as a shock, particularly since *Dune: Prophecy* entirely centers on the beginnings of the Bene Gesserit, known in the series simply as “the Sisterhood.”

As per showrunner Alison Schapker, a clear rationale exists for this. “The Sisterhood at its formation is not referred to as the Bene Gesserit,” Schapker stated during an interview with Mashable.

This corresponds with the plot of *Sisterhood of Dune*, a novel by Brian Herbert (son of Frank Herbert) and Kevin J. Anderson. The book investigates the early establishment of the Sisterhood, covering its inception by Mother Superior Raquella (portrayed by Cathy Tyson in the show). While *Dune: Prophecy* does take some artistic liberties, such as adding new characters, it remains deeply inspired by *Sisterhood of Dune*, including the choice to delay the use of the Bene Gesserit title.

“We’re employing *Sisterhood of Dune* as a foundational text, and in that book, it’s called the Sisterhood,” Schapker mentioned.

This choice unlocks fascinating prospects for the future of *Dune: Prophecy*. “There’s the query of, ‘How did this order progress from being the Sisterhood to being rebranded as the Bene Gesserit? And why?'” Schapker hinted. “That’s the realm the series will investigate.”

Who knows, perhaps by the conclusion of Season 1, we might witness the Sisterhood transition into the Bene Gesserit.

*[New episodes of *Dune: Prophecy* air Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max.](https://zdcs.link/Qp617g?pageview_type=RSS&template=article&module=content_body&element=offer&item=text-link&element_label=New%20episodes%20of%20Dune%3A%20Prophecy%20premiere%20Sundays%20at%209%20p.m.%20ET%20on%20HBO%20and%20Max.&object_type=article&object_uuid=01Y5dMQOqRGC1nTWROXNsL8&short_url=Qp617g&u=https%3A%2F%2Fmashable.com%2Ffeeds%2Frss%2Fall)*