Set 10,000 years before the events of the film, which saw the rise of Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), the series follows two sisters from House Harkonnen, Valya and Tula, played by Emily Watson and Olivia Williams.

Facing enemies that threaten the future of humanity, the two establish the powerful religious and political force which comes to be known as the Bene Gesserit. Denounced by outsiders as ‘witches’, the sectarian sisterhood train their bodies and minds to develop superhuman abilities, such as mind control, to influence the Great Houses and ultimately lead humanity on a more enlightened path.

But the second teaser warns that “the more influence our Sisterhood gains, the more enemies we make.”

The series has undergone several casting, writing and directing changes through the pandemic, and the actors and writers’ strikes that followed. Alison Schapker became the sole showrunner, with Anna Foerster directing multiple episodes, including the pilot.

Also starring is Jodhi May as Empress Natalya, “a formidable royal who united thousands of worlds in her marriage to Emperor Corrino.” Mark Strong plays this Emperor, who comes from a great line of war-time Emperors and presides over a “fragile peace” in the Imperium.

Sarah-Sofie Boussnina plays Princess Ynez, the heir to the Golden Lion Throne, and Shalom Brune-Franklin is Mikaela, a fierce Fremen woman who serves the royal family while longing for a home planet she has never set foot in.

Faoileann Cunningham, Aoife Hinds, Chloe Lea and Jade Anouka all star as acolytes in training at the Sisterhood School.

Meanwhile, Chris Mason plays Atreides ancestor Keiran, a Swordmaster whose ambition to live up to his family name is thrown off course by an “unexpected connection to a member of House Corrino.”

Dune: Prophecy is based on the novel Sisterhood of Dune, written by Brian Herbert (son of Frank Herbert, the original creator of the Dune series) and Kevin J. Anderson, who also serve as executive producers.