Dune: The Sisterhood recently announced its leads in Emily Watson, Shirley Henderson and Indira Varma, and HBO Max's upcoming prequel series has now added five supporting cast members.
Variety reports that Sarah-Sofie Boussnina, Shalom Brune-Franklin, Faoileann Cunningham, Aoife Hinds and Chloe Lea have all joined the ensemble in key roles.
Boussnina (The Colony, Knightfall) will play Princess Ynez, described as “an independent young princess dealing with the pressures of her responsibility as heir to the Golden Lion Throne. Brune-Franklin (The Tourist, Line of Duty) plays Mikaela, said to be “a strong-willed Fremen woman who serves the royal family while longing for a home planet she’s never known.”
Cunningham (The Northman, The Witcher: Blood Origin) plays Sister Jen, described as “a fierce, unpredictable acolyte in training at the Sisterhood School who rarely reveals her emotional core.” Hinds (Normal People, Derry Girls) plays Sister Emeline, said to be “a zealous acolyte descended from a long line of martyrs, who carries fervent religion to her training at the Sisterhood.”
Finally, Lea (Foundation, Great Expectations) plays Lila, described as “the youngest acolyte at the Sisterhood School with a deep empathy beyond her years.”
The Sisterhood is set 10,000 years before the ascension of Paul Atreides, and follows the Harkonnen Sisters, played by Watson and Henderson, as they combat forces that threaten the future of humankind, and establish the fabled sect known as the Bene Gesserit.
Diane Ademu-John is on board as creator, writer, co-showrunner and executive producer, with Alison Schapker serving as co-showrunner and EP. Johan Renck will direct the premiere episode and executive produce, while Dune Parts 1 and 2 director Denis Villeneuve is also executive producing.
Villeneuve is currently in production on Dune: Part II, which will continue the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a warpath of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, he endeavours to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.
The sequel will hit theatres on November 3, 2023. No premiere date has been announced for The Sisterhood.