SPOILERS AHEAD
HBO's Dune: Prophecy recently concluded its first season with a finale that upended the status quo for most of the show's characters. In particular, Dune: Prophecy's primary characters, sisters Valya and Tula Harkonnen (Emily Watson and Olivia Williams), have had their lives changed by the revelation that soldier Desmond Hart (Travis Fimmel) is Tula's long-lost son.
In a press conference attended by Game Rant, Olivia Williams discussed how the events of Season 1 have permanently altered Tula's perception of what it means to be a sister - both a member of the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood and a sister to Valya.
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Tula Led The Bene Gesserit During Dark Times
Early in Dune: Prophecy, Tula is placed in charge of the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood while Valya travels to visit the Emperor and Princess Ynez. Unfortunately, the period of her leadership is one of great chaos. Young Sister Lila is forced to undergo painful Agony, and many Sisters become haunted by nightmares of sandworms as a result of Desmond Hart's power. Williams explained that she feels Tula's "good connection with the students" break down, and discussed how the iconic horror film Picnic at Hanging Rock inspired her portrayal of the increasingly stressed and frightened Tula.
"She's taking them through this terrible time when they're all having this nightmare, and it feels like the place is falling apart. There's a wonderful film called Picnic at Hanging Rock, and the headmistress gradually descends into madness and the way you can tell is because her hair gradually becomes more and more crazy. I direct everybody to go and see Picnic at Hanging Rock for how I based my performance as the Sister presiding over a decaying girls' school in a time of crisis."
By the end of the series, Tula's devotion to the Bene Gesserit is still present, but she has come to doubt herself in a way that she previously did not. When her attempted reunion with Desmond Hart goes poorly, Tula's confidence is shaken further. This will likely lead to interesting developments in Season 2, as she is greatly affected by her time taking care of the haunted, frightened acolytes and what she had to do to Lila.
Tula And Valya's Relationship Is Forever Changed
During her time as the leader of the Bene Gesserit, Tula is also forced to confront being constantly compared to Valya and how it has led to her feeling insecure and like she exists in Valya's shadow. Whenever Tula makes a decision for the Sisterhood, she is questioned by Sister Avila (Barbara Marten), Valya's aide, who believes Valya's way of doing things to be always superior. Williams discussed the frustration Tula feels throughout Season 1 of Dune: Prophecy:
"It's all that stuff that you carry from childhood, being the younger one, the assumed incompetence, just because you've always been two years younger. And the way Sister Avila always comes in and goes, "you know, well, if I were you, I wouldn't do it like that, and your sister wouldn't approve of you [doing that]", it's just catnip as an actor to be able to play that sense that there's always someone at your shoulder telling you how to do it better."
At the end of Season 1, Valya and Tula are separated both physically and emotionally. Valya travels to Arrakis while Tula is arrested by Desmond, while their lives start down different paths and the secret of Desmond's identity has strained their relationship. Tula's perception of the concept of "Sisterhood," which defined her life for so long, has changed forever. Hopefully, Season 2 will explore how she changes further as a result of this.
Dune: Prophecy
- Release Date
- November 17, 2024
- Showrunner
- Alison Schapker
- Directors
- Anna Foerster
Cast
-
Emily WatsonMother Superior Valya Harkonnen -
Olivia WilliamsReverend Mother Tula Harkonnen
WHERE TO WATCH
- Writers
- Diane Ademu-John, Kevin J. Anderson, Brian Herbert, Frank Herbert
- Franchise(s)
- Dune
- Main Genre
- Sci-Fi
- Seasons
- 1
- Character(s)
- Mother Superior Valya Harkonnen, Reverend Mother Tula Harkonnen, Empress Natalya Arat, Desmond Hart, Emperor Javicco Corrino, Sister Theodosia, Keiran Atreides, Princess Ynez Corrino, Mikaela, Sister Jen, Sister Emeline, Sister Lila, Constantine Corrino, Harrow Harkonnen, Sister Francesca, Young Kasha
- Streaming Service(s)
- MAX
- Creator(s)
- Diane Ademu-John, Alison Schapker
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