A six-episode series on the Max platform. Let’s look for hidden meanings in this poster. What will Dune: Prophecy be about? Quiz.
About the TV series
Dune: Prophecy is a new television series set in the iconic universe created by Frank Herbert. It is based on his literary series Dune. The series premiered on the Max platform on 18 November 2024, and its first season consists of six episodes. The production is being created by HBO. The network has previously proven its ability to adapt epic stories for the small screen.
The plot of the series develops the themes shown in Denis Villeneuve’s films, but focuses on new characters and their relationship to the prophecies of the Desert Messiah. The plot centres on the struggle of the great families for control of Arrakis, a planet that is the source of melange, the most valuable resource in the universe. The series offers a deeper look into the political and religious aspects of the Dune universe, with the conflicts shown on both a cosmic and personal scale.
What will Dune: Prophecy be about? Mysteries of the origins of the Dune universe
Dune: Prophecy is based on the 2012 novel Sisterhood of Dune, the first part of the Great Schools of Dune trilogy by Brian Herbert (son of Frank Herbert) and Kevin J. Anderson, created after the death of the original Dune author. Moreover, the series, with Alison Schapker as showrunner, focuses on the lives of the Harkonnen sisters Valya and Tula. Specifically, they are played in the adult versions by Emily Watson and Olivia Williams, and in flashbacks by Jessica Barden and Emma Canning.
The story is set 10,000 years before the birth of Paul Atreides, showing the evolution of the Bene Gesserit Order from a humble school for gifted young women to a powerful, mystical community manipulating politics and society. An important part of the storyline is the Butlerian Jihad – the legendary war against thinking machines that shaped the taboo against artificial intelligence. Dune: Prophecy develops these themes, exploring the tensions between families, the roots of conflict and the foundations of power that will resonate in the later events of the universe.
Semiotic analysis of the poster
Instead of a traditional review, which could easily turn into a rave – because I watched the first episode of Dune: Prophecy and definitely recommend it – I propose to look at the series’ poster from a semiotic perspective. This approach allows us to discover how precisely constructed this visual message is, full of hidden meanings and references. A semiotic analysis will help uncover what the poster says about the series itself and its mythology, even before we turn on the first episode.
Denotative analysis
Denotation is the literal, objective reading of the characters on the poster:
- In the foreground we see five figures, each with a distinct facial expression. They appear to be leaders or important personalities.
- The background is dominated by the desert landscape of Arrakis, with its characteristic sands and two monumental spire-like towers.
- The HBO Original logo and the words ‘Dune: Prophecy’ catch the eye. The letters in the ‘Dune’ logo have a futuristic, minimalist feel with elements reminiscent of sand dunes.
- The colour scheme of the poster is subdued – shades of brown and grey dominate, suggesting austerity and mystery.
Connotative analysis. In search of answer: what will Dune: Prophecy be about?
Connotation refers to the additional, hidden meanings of signs:
- The towers in the background may symbolise the power and monumentality of the Dune universe, but also ambiguity: resistance and conflict.
- The sandy backdrop implies the desert as a place not only of danger but also of revelation and spiritual transformation. This is central to the prophecies about the Messiah.
- The expressive faces of the characters suggest that their stories will be full of emotion and intrigue. Furthermore, the positioning may indicate their roles in the narrative. Specifically, the centre focuses attention on a mysterious cloaked figure, perhaps a prophet or leader.
- The colour scheme and chiaroscuro emphasise an atmosphere of solemnity, anxiety, and mysticism. Meanwhile, the font highlights the futuristic dimension of the universe.
Commutation test
In order to understand which elements of the poster are most important, you can swap out the different signs and observe how they change the interpretation:
- Changing the background. Replacing the desert with a futuristic city would change the reading to a more technological one. This shift would lose the reference to the mystical and ecological aspects of Dune.
- Replacing the ‘Dune’ logo with simpler letters. This could weaken the association with the aesthetics of the universe and reduce the immersive effect.
- Removing the character in the middle. The absence of a central, masked character would weaken the mysterious dimension of the narrative. At the centre of the interpretation is the question: who is the prophet and what role will he play?
Myth analysis
According to Roland Barthes, myth is a socio-cultural meaning encoded in a message:
- The poster evokes the myth of messianism by depicting a central figure in a cloak. We can interpret this figure as a prophet who will bring liberation or transformation to the political chaos of Arrakis.
- The conflict between the families is also an age-old tale of power and greed, which resonates with historical myths of rival empires.
- The use of the desert invokes the archetype of a place of spiritual renewal and trial, popular in narratives from the Bible to contemporary science fiction.
- Dune: Prophecy also raises the hope of discovering the unknown, not only the fate of the world. It also offers new interpretations of the myth of man’s struggle with nature and fate.
The desert as a narrative motif symbolises a place of trial, isolation, and spiritual transformation. For instance, in the Bible, prophets like Moses and Jesus experience revelations and temptations there. Similarly, in science fiction literature, as in Frank Herbert’s Dune, the desert Arrakis symbolises challenge and spiritual destiny. It is an archetypal landscape that purifies, forces transformation, and reveals hidden truths. Moreover, contemporary narratives link this motif to questions of existence, transcendence, and survival.
So, what will Dune: Prophecy be about?
The series promises a story of destiny, faith, and conflict. The poster narrates the journey of a prophet who faces forces greater than himself. It depicts a world where the struggle for resources, power, and religion intertwine in an epic conflict.
Quiz on Dune: Prophecy
Ready to test your knowledge? 10 questions
Results
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#1. What year is Dune: Prophecy set in relation to the birth of Paul Atreides?
#2. On which novel is Dune: Prophecy based?
#3. How many episodes is the first season of Dune: Prophecy?
#4. Who are the main characters in the series Dune: Prophecy?
Showrunner Alison Schapker’s series focuses on the Harkonnen sisters, Valya and Tula. They are portrayed as adults by Emily Watson and Olivia Williams, and in flashbacks by Jessica Barden and Emma Canning.
#5. What key theme from the history of the universe is addressed in Dune: Prophecy?
The Butlerian Jihad in the world of Dune: Prophecy is an event that is still vividly remembered by many families. It was a real war against advanced thinking machines that had taken control of human life. Humanity united to destroy these machines and ban advanced technology that could threaten their freedom again.
#6. On which platform can Dune: Prophecy be viewed?
#7. What does the desert symbolise in the Dune universe?
#8. Which raw material, a key element of power and trade, is found on the planet Arrakis?
Melange, also known as ‘spice’, is the most valuable substance in the Dune universe . It is essential for space travel, prolongs life and gives precognitive abilities.
#9. What is the function of the Bene Gesserit Order in the Dune universe ?
The Bene Gesserit is a mysterious female order in the Dune universe that manipulates politics and genetics to achieve its goals. Members of the order are trained in advanced physical and mental techniques, giving them extraordinary abilities such as body and mind control.
#10. Who is the showrunner of the Dune: Prophecy series?
Alison Schapker is the showrunner for Dune: Prophecy. Denis Villeneuve is the director of the Dune films. Kevin J. Anderson is the co-author of the Great Schools of Dune trilogy.