The six-episode HBO Original science-fiction series Dune: Prophecy debuts in the US on 17 November. It will be available on M-Net (DStv Channel 101) Express from the US at 03:00 on Monday 18 November and make its prime time premiere at 21:00 on the same day. The series will also be available on Showmax.

HBO Original Dune: Prophecy is based on the expansive universe of Dune, created by acclaimed author Frank Herbert. The series is set 10 000 years before the ascension of Paul Atreides and follows two Harkonnen sisters (played by Emily Watson and Olivia Williams), as they combat forces that threaten the future of humankind and establish the fabled sect that becomes known as the Bene Gesserit.

While the Bene Gesserit play a central role in the Dune novels and films, in this distant past, the Harkonnens do not yet wield their powerful monopoly on the spice of Arrakis. Instead, they’re reeling from a recent galactic war whose outcome has left them branded as cowards and traitors.

“I've never really done anything like this before,” Watson told Entertainment Weekly. “Most of the work I've done so far in my career has been very much based in reality. Getting my head around all the Dune lore and language was a new thing for me. But within that, I found really rich acting territory. It’s quite complex, and it’s a really fun world to play in.”

The series stars Watson, Williams, Travis Fimmel, Jodhi May, Mark Strong, Sarah-Sofie Boussnina, Josh Heuston, Chloe Lea, Jade Anouka, Faoileann Cunningham, Edward Davis, Aoife Hinds, Chris Mason, Shalom Brune-Franklin, Jihae, Tabu, Charithra Chandran, Jessica Barden, Emma Canning, and Yerin Ha.

Dune: Prophecy is inspired by the novel Sisterhood of Dune written by Brian Herbert and Kevin J Anderson. The series is co-produced by HBO and Legendary Television, on the back of the massive success of Dune: Part Two, also produced by Legendary. The first film picked up six Academy Awards®.

Watch Dune: Prophecy Express from the US Mondays at 03:00, and in prime time at 21:00, on M-Net channel 101 starting 18 November. It will also be available on DStv Catch Up and DStv Stream. Follow the conversation on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok using #DuneProphecy and #MNet101.

Images: HBO