Essential Dune: Key Houses and Characters to Know

Anyone who has dipped their toes into the Dune universe—whether through the beloved books, blockbuster films, or discussions with Dune enthusiasts—will tell you: it’s a complex world. It’s a vast sci-fi epic filled with millennia of scheming, political machinations, and high-stakes drama.

Given this intricate background, Dune: Prophecy is rich with characters. Diving back into the same universe, this series is a loose adaptation of Brian Herbert’s Great Schools of Dune, a prequel to his father’s legendary novels. Set a cool 10,000 years before Paul Atreides steps onto Arrakis, it introduces new dynamics and traditions, though some familiar family names reappear, albeit in very different circumstances.

We’ve put together a handy guide to navigate who’s who in Dune: Prophecy and how they tie back to the iconic characters and themes from across the expansive Dune saga.

[Be warned: spoilers for Dune: Prophecy, season one, are ahead.]

The Bene Gesserit Sisterhood

The opening scenes of Prophecy take us right into the heart of the Sisterhood. Early on, we witness Valya Harkonnen, initially portrayed by Jessica Barden, engaged in a profound moment with the ailing Mother Superior Raquella. In an effort to safeguard the fledgling Bene Gesserit breeding program, Valya uses her Voice—a powerful Bene Gesserit technique—to compel sister Dorotea (Camilla Marie Beeput) in a chilling act of self-harm.

Fast forward three decades, and we see a flourishing Sisterhood, spearheaded by a still-duty-driven Mother Superior Valya, now portrayed by Emily Watson. Alongside her are Reverend Mother Tula Harkonnen (played by Olivia Williams, with young Tula portrayed by Emma Canning) and Reverend Mother Kasha (Jihae), the trusted truthsayer to Emperor Corrino.

While there are several young sisters learning under the Bene Gesserit, details about them remain scarce. Each, however, is a potential piece in Tula and Valya’s elaborate plans—each with a secret purpose assigned by these powerful women.

The Corrino Empire

The name might not immediately ring a bell, but the house surely does: Corrino remains the ruling family well into the timeline of the Dune saga. The emperor character portrayed by Christopher Walken in Dune 2 is none other than Padishah Emperor Shaddam Corrino IV. Yet, in Prophecy, we explore a much earlier time in the Corrino lineage.

Emperor Javicco (Mark Strong) finds himself in a precarious position, uneasy about his perceived vulnerabilities. He leans heavily on his truthsayer, Reverend Mother Kasha, a relationship that sows discord with his wife, Empress Natalya Arat (Jodhi May). The empress recalls a time when their united front was vital to the Empire’s stability. She warns her daughter against too readily embracing Bene Gesserit influence.

Their offspring are busy carving out their own paths. Constantine Corrino (Josh Heuston), Javicco’s illegitimate son, shuns any claim to the throne, choosing instead to assist the family’s ventures happily. Meanwhile, Princess Ynez (Sarah-Sofie Boussnina) immerses herself in preparations for leadership: from swordplay to Bene Gesserit indoctrination, all while engaging in a strategic marriage to a very young partner—allowing her valuable time to hone her skills.

After her young husband’s unexpected death, uncertainty blankets House Corrino’s future. With Javicco’s constant fretting over vulnerability and political threats from other houses, consolidating power becomes crucial amidst the volatile power struggles.

The Harkonnen Predicament

Though the debut episode doesn’t delve deeply into the Harkonnen’s situation, history is not kind to them. Branded as deserters during the Butlerian Jihad, following a disagreement with the Atreides over battle tactics, the result is their relegation to a desolate, icy world. Despite their misfortune, the Harkonnens still have notable representation within the Bene Gesserit.

Most notably amongst them is Harrow Harkonnen (Edward Davis), whose presence does little to impress during the royal wedding. Known more for dull conversations about whale farming logistics, his character remains underdeveloped but undoubtedly significant.

The Atreides Legacy

The Atreides family takes a backseat in the initial Prophecy episode. Valya’s voice-over recalls how history credits an Atreides with leading humanity to triumph over the thinking machines—a narrative she boldly claims is spun from lies. Such a sentiment inevitably sets the stage for the long-standing Atreides-Harkonnen rivalry that persists over the millennia.

Yet, there’s an Atreides stirring the pot already: Kieran Atreides (Chris Mason), serving as the princess’s swordmaster, positions himself tactically within the unfolding narrative.

Desmond Hart, though, aligns his loyalties with House Corrino. The mysterious figure, played with measured ambiguity, confesses to murders he deemed necessary for the emperor’s good. His unexplained powers and enigmatic past—“Shai-hulud took my eye, granting me the ability to see what others, like Valya and the Sisterhood, cannot”—hint at potent, untapped abilities. Whether a prophet or a pawn, his disdain for the Bene Gesserit is palpable.

As the layers of intrigue and deception unfold, one can only wonder what deeper games are being played and what fates await the characters embroiled in this ancient, yet ever-relevant, saga.