Tabu has been cast in a recurring role in the Max streaming series Dune: Prophecy, a prequel/spin-off to director Denis Villeneuve’s Dune film series, which has grossed over a billion dollars. The show, previously titled Dune: The Sisterhood, has been in development since before the pandemic. According to a report from Variety, Tabu will portray a character named Sister Francesca, based on the novel Sisterhood of Dune by Brian Herbert and Kevin J Anderson.
Dune: Prophecy serves as a prequel, set thousands of years before the events depicted in Villeneuve’s films. It explores the origin story of the Bene Gesserit clan, a group of women who undergo extensive mental and physical training to develop superhuman abilities. Sister Francesca is described as “Strong, intelligent, and alluring,” with a significant impact on the power dynamics within the palace.
Tabu will join Emily Watson, Olivia Williams, Jodhi May, and others in the cast. The show is described as being set within the expansive universe of Dune, created by author Frank Herbert, and takes place 10,000 years before the rise of Paul Atreides. It follows two Harkonnen sisters as they confront threats to humanity’s future and establish the sect known as the Bene Gesserit.
Originally developed by Dana Calvo and Jon Spaihts, the series later saw Diane Ademu-John taking over from Spaihts. Johan Renck, known for Chernobyl, was initially hired to direct the first two episodes, but both he and Ademu-John departed due to creative differences. Alison Schapker was subsequently appointed as the sole showrunner, with Anna Foerster set to direct multiple episodes.
Tabu, known for her roles in Crew and Khufiya, has also appeared in international projects such as Life of Pi, The Namesake, and A Suitable Boy directed by Mira Nair.
