Essential Dune: Key Houses and Characters to Know

If you’ve ever delved into the world of Dune—whether through the books, the movies, or even overheard conversations about them—you’ll quickly realize that it’s a complex universe. This science fiction saga is woven together with thousands of years of intricate royal maneuverings, power struggles, deceit, and conflict.

So, naturally, Dune: Prophecy invites you into a narrative dense with characters. It’s set in the same universe, drawing inspiration from Brian Herbert’s “Great Schools of Dune” trilogy, which acts as a prequel to his father’s legendary series. However, Prophecy takes place over 10,000 years before Paul Atreides sets foot on Arrakis. It introduces us to a new era with its own cast of characters and customs. The family names might seem familiar, but the state of these houses will probably surprise you.

To help navigate this new chapter, we’ll outline the main characters of Dune: Prophecy and how they connect to familiar figures from the broader Dune story.

[Editorial Note: Spoilers for Dune: Prophecy Season 1 follow.]

### The Bene Gesserit Sisterhood

In the opening episode of Prophecy, we meet the enigmatic Sisterhood at significant junctures. We first encounter a young Valya Harkonnen, played by Jessica Barden, as she heeds a call to the side of the dying Mother Superior Raquella. In a calculated move to protect the fledgling Bene Gesserit breeding program, Valya unleashes the Voice on fellow sister Dorotea—played by Camilla Marie Beeput—compelling her to turn a blade upon herself.

Fast forward thirty years, and the Sisterhood is flourishing. Now Mother Superior, Valya—portrayed in later years by Emily Watson—remains as steadfast as ever in her pursuit to uphold the Bene Gesserit’s vision. Supporting her is Reverend Mother Tula Harkonnen, with Olivia Williams playing her older self and Emma Canning as the younger Tula, along with Reverend Mother Kasha, embodied by Jihae, who holds the esteemed position of trusted truthsayer to Emperor Corrino.

A new generation of sisters is training within the Bene Gesserit ranks. While details about them remain scarce, it’s known they include those raised by the Sisterhood and others who joined at a later age, like Princess Ynez. Valya and Tula each seem to have plans for their chosen protégés.

### The Corrino Dynasty

You may not instantly recognize the name, but the Corrinos have long ruled the Dune universe. The character in Dune 2, Emperor Shaddam Corrino IV, as portrayed by Christopher Walken, belongs to this line. Prophecy, however, takes us back 10,000 years, portraying the empire when it stood on more precarious footing.

At the helm is Emperor Javicco, played by Mark Strong, who is preoccupied with perceptions of the empire’s fragility and the prospect of marrying off his daughter. He heavily leans on his truthsayer, Reverend Mother Kasha, which frustrates his wife, Empress Natalya Arat, played by Jodhi May. She laments the growing distance within their marriage and warns her daughter about blindly trusting the Bene Gesserit.

Their offspring seem more attuned to their era. Constantine Corrino, portrayed by Josh Heuston, is not vying for the throne and instead handles familial duties with ease. Princess Ynez, brought to life by Sarah-Sofie Boussnina, is training herself to be a formidable empress—honing her skills with a sword, joining the Bene Gesserit, and hastily marrying a young noble boy to secure time for herself.

Complications arise when this marriage ends unexpectedly, leaving both House Corrino and Princess Ynez in uncertain standing. Emperor Javicco is ever conscious of his political vulnerabilities and the shifting powers amongst the houses, particularly as they remind him about the might of his armed forces. Establishing alliances with key players has become a pressing necessity.

### The Harkonnen Legacy

While the pilot episode of Dune: Prophecy refrains from delving deeply into it, this era is not kind to the Harkonnens. Branded traitors by the Atreides during the Butlerian Jihad, their reputation suffered greatly. This betrayal stemmed from a strategic disagreement, with the Atreides opting for aggression at the expense of prisoners, whereas the Harkonnens favored restraint. Fast forward a century, and all anyone remembers is their supposed desertion. The once-respected family now finds itself in exile on a desolate, frozen world.

Yet, some Harkonnens have infiltrated the Bene Gesserit deeply, while Harrow Harkonnen, played by Edward Davis, remains a figure at court. His impressionable personality can be summed up by his discussions with the emperor about the merits of whale farming and his distinct appearance as a “Harkonnen with hair.”

### The Atreides Connection

House Atreides doesn’t have a prominent presence in the first episode of Prophecy, but Valya’s narration references them. It’s noted that an Atreides supposedly led humanity to triumph against the machines, a tale Valya dismisses as misinformation, hinting at the long-standing feud that persists millennia later.

Despite their low profile, there is an Atreides character on the scene: Kieran Atreides, the princess’s swordmaster, played by Chris Mason.

### Desmond Hart’s Mysterious Allegiances

Currently, Desmond Hart makes his allegiance to House Corrino crystal clear during an interrogation, professing loyalty solely to the Imperium. His confession to eliminating both a child and Reverend Mother Kasha is rooted in his belief that such actions serve the emperor’s best interests.

For now, there’s a shroud of mystery around his true abilities and origins. He hints at a fateful encounter with Shai-hulud that left him with a unique gift, something powerful beyond comprehension. When the empress questions his prophetic status, he humbly offers, “I don’t know. There are things that I can do. Beautiful… terrible things.”

Evaluations from Kasha and Valya suggest Hart withholds deeper truths, projecting honesty only as he perceives it, yet lying by omission. His ultimate motives remain veiled, but one sentiment is clear—his disdain for the Sisterhood is palpable.