DUNE: THE SISTERHOOD Adds Olivia Williams and Jodhi May to Cast and a New Director

HBO’s Dune series Dune: The Sisterhood has added Olivia Williams and Jodhi May to the cast. They will replace previously announced cast members Shirley Henderson and Indira Varma, who exited the project. Henderson dropped out of the series due to “creative changes,” while Varma’s had to leave due to scheduling conflicts. Williams will play Tula Harkonnen, while May plays Natalya.

It was also reported that Anna Foerster is now on board as one of the directors of the series, and she will replace Johan Renck, who left at the same time as Henderson.

The actors join the previously cast Emily Watson (Chernobyl), Sarah-Sofie Boussnina (The Colony), Shalom Brune-Franklin (The Tourist), Faoileann Cunningham (The Northman), Aoife Hinds (Normal People), Chloe Lea (Foundation). Mark Strong (Shazam!, 1917), Jade Anouka (Last Christmas, His Dark Materials), and Chris Mason (Riverdale, Broadchurch).

In November, series creator Diane Ademu-John (The Haunting of Bly Manor, The Originals, and The Vampire Diaries) stepped down as co-showrunner, but she remains involved as executive producer. The series is written by Alison Schapker, who is now acting as showrunner. John Spaihts, who co-wrote Dune's script, also worked on the series, and Johan Renck (Chernobyl) will direct the premiere episode and executive produce.

The story is set 10,000 years before Paul Atreides even existed, and it follows the Harkonnen Sisters as they combat forces that threaten the future of humankind, and establish the fabled sect known as the Bene Gesserit. Watson and Henderson will portray Valya Harkonnen and Tula Harkonnen, respectively, the formidable Harkonnen Sisters, who have risen to power in the Sisterhood.

The series is “designed to co-exist” with the Dune films, and the story is told “through the eyes of a mysterious order of women known as the Bene Gesserit. Given extraordinary abilities by their mastery of the body and the mind, the Bene Gesserit expertly weave through the feudal politics and intrigue of The Imperium, pursuing plans of their own that will ultimately lead them to the enigmatic planet Arrakis, known to its inhabitants as Dune.”

The series is currently in production. Are you looking forward to this prequel story?