Mark Strong joins the cast of the prequel

The upcoming prequel series of Dunes HBO Max’s Dune: The Sisterhood adds three new members to its cast. As reported by Variety, Mark Strong joined the cast of the prequel series of Dunes in a starring role as Emperor Javicco Corrino, described as “a man of a great line of wartime emperors, called upon to rule the Imperium and manage a fragile peace.” Joining him is Jade Anouka as Sister Theodosia, “a talented and ambitious acolyte of the Sisterhood who is harboring a dangerous secret about her past.” Chris Mason also joins as Keiran Atreides, “a swordmaster of a great house whose ambition to live up to his family name is cut short when he forms an unexpected bond with a member of the royal family.”

The cast of The Sisterhood

Along with Strong, Anouka and Mason, The Sisterhood stars Emily Watson as Valya Harkonnen, Shirley Henderson as Tula Harkonnen, Indira Varma as Empress Natalya, Sarah-Sofie Boussnina as Princess Ynez. Also starring will be Shalom Brune-Franklin as Mikaela, Faoileann Cunningham as Sister Jen, Aoife Hinds as Sister Emeline, Chloe Lea as Lila and Travis Fimmel as Desmond Hart.

Set 10,000 years before the events of Dunes, the prequel series is based on the novel by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson, The Sisterhood of Dune. According to the show’s official logline, The Sisterhood follows “the Harkonnen sisters as they battle forces that threaten the future of humanity and found the legendary sect known as the Bene Gesserit.” Created by Diane Ademu-John, Dune: The Sisterhood began filming in November, though she stepped down as co-showrunner of the series shortly after production began. While Ademu-John remains attached to the project as an executive producer, Alison Shapker will serve as sole showrunner.

Dunes: The Sisterhood was teased in September 2021 by director Denis Villeneuve, shortly before the release of Dune: Part One in October of the same year. Produced by Legendary Pictures and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, Dune: Part One was the second big-screen adaptation of Frank Herbert’s 1965 science fiction novel of the same name, following 1984’s Dune.

The release date of Dune: Part Two

Denis Villeneuve he had previously stated that he is ready to start filming a sequel to Dune as early as 2022. Dune: Part Two is currently in production and will be released in theaters on November 3, 2023. The sequel will see the return of cast members from the first part Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Zendaya, Charlotte Rampling and Javier Bardem. The second part will also star Florence Pugh, Austin Butler, Christopher Walken and Léa Seydoux. HBO Max Dune: The Sisterhood does not currently have a release date.