WARNING: SPOILERS for Dune: Prophecy season 1.
There are several reasons to get excited about HBO’s upcomingDune: Prophecyseason 2 following theDune: Prophecyseason 1 finale.Dune: Prophecyis a six-part series based on the 2012 novelSisterhood of Dune, which was written by originalDuneauthor Frank Herbert’s son, Brian, and Kevin J. Anderson. The story takes place more than10,000 years before the rise of Paul Atreidies, which is chronicled in Denis Villeneuve’sDune(2020) andDune: Part Two(2024). Emily Watson leads thecast ofDune: Prophecyas Mother Reverend Superior Valya Harkonnen along with Olivia Williams as her sister, Tula Harkonnen.
The season 1 finaleset up several major events inDune: Prophecyseason 2while also proving howDenis Villeneuve pulled off a miracle with his twoDunefilms. HBO announced therenewal ofDune: Prophecyseason 2just days after the release of the season 1 finale, which is proof of the series' popularity on their streaming platform MAX. Even thoughDune: Prophecydoes a lot to set up the world, characters, and story dynamics in its short six-episode first season, it hardly concluded anything by the season 1 finale.Dune: Prophecyseason 2 is poised to dive straight into the continuing action and should theoretically be even better than its predecessor.
5Dune: Prophecy Season 2 Can Focus Even More On Desmond Hart
Desmond became even more interesting after the season 1 finale’s multiple reveals
Desmond Hart, played by Travis Fimmel, gradually stole the show with his unsettling yet fascinating mystique. Now that it’s been revealed thatDesmond was biologically alteredby Thinking Machine technology, his character has become even more interesting. Following Emperor Corrino’s death in the season 1 finale,Desmond is in a great position to take Natalya’s hand and assume the duties of Emperor of the Imperium. However, Desmond’s path could be altered through his connection with his newfound mother, Tula Harkonnen. Like Paul Atredies after him, Desmond is both Atreides and Harkonnen and is the most unpredictable character heading into season 2.
4Dune: Prophecy Season 2 Doesn’t Need As Much Exposition
Image via Max
Similar toDune: Part One,Dune Prophecyseason 1 had the burden of establishing the entire story world and introducing a wealth of exposition. Between the origins of the Sisterhood, the hiddenThinking Machine tech banned after the Butlerian Jihad, Valya and Tula’s backstories, and many other plot points, there was a lot to cover in just six episodes.Dune: Part Twocuts straight into the action after Paul and Lady Jessica flee the capital of Arrakis, Arrakeen, after the Harkonnen ambush and betrayal of Duke Leto.Dune Prophecyseason 2 should waste no time getting into Valya’s planwith Princess Ynez and Keiran Atreides on Arrakis.
There were virtually no scenes on Arrakis in season 1
The vast majority ofDune: Part OneandDune: Part Twotake place on Arrakis, which has become an iconic home of both Paul Atreides and the franchise at large.Bringing the prequel series back to Arrakis will add more of aDunefeelthat may have been missing fromDune: Prophecyseason 1. It will be fascinating to explore more areas and planets within the “Duniverse”, but the lack of scenes on Arrakis inDune: Prophecyseason 1 didn’t necessarily work in its favor. Hopefully,Dune: Prophecyseason 2 can reveal more unknown details about the Dune planet and Fremen culture at the time.
Mentats, Face Dancers, & Gholas can be explored
Dune: Prophecyseason 2 can get more into the formation of the School of Mentats, determine whether Theo is a Face Dancer and if there are others like her, and introducegholas or reveal that Desmond is one, which is a popular fan theory. This would also establish some context for Duncan Idaho, who is expected to return as a ghola inDune: Part Three. It could also cast more Atreides characters to join Keiran and dive more deeply into the Bene Gesserit’s influence on the Fremen on Arrakis.Dune: Prophecyseason 1 establishes that Valya Harkoennen seeks vengeance against the Atreides for the death of her brother Griffin, which she has yet to achieve.
1Dune: Prophecy Season 2 Should Ease The Wait For Dune: Part Three
Dune 3 is expected to be released in December 2026
Dune: Part Threeis expected to be released in December 2026.Dune: Prophecycould be released at the end of 2025 but will more likely be released in early or mid-2026, just months ahead ofDune 3’srelease. Fans who are eager to finally seeDune 3should find relief in having newDunecontent to get into ahead of Villeneuve’s third franchise installment. Ideally,Dune: Prophecyseason 2 will have at least eight or even ten episodes to allow for a stronger and more fluid pace, which the 6-partDune: Prophecyseason 1 arguably lacked.
Dune: Prophecy
Cast
Set in the universe of Frank Herbert’s Dune series, Dune: Prophecy, a sci-fi epic, follows the political and spiritual struggles on the desert planet of Arrakis. As factions vie for control of the prized spice melange, a prophesied hero emerges, challenging the balance of power and the fate of the galaxy.
