Lead actresses of ‘Dune: Prophecy’ said the focus on women is what makes the show different from George R.R. Martin’s work.

Dune: Prophecy is gearing up for its premiere and already creating a lot of excitement among fans eager to see something only HBO can deliver. The company got a distinct style in its productions that audiences have loved ever since Game of Thrones. So, naturally, the comparisons between the two series have already started.

Still from Dune: Prophecy (Credits: HBO)

From the trailer for the new show, it’s hard not to draw parallels. However, Dune is a very different universe from GOT, and the female cast of this movie saga spin-off wants to make that clear.

Dune: Prophecy Stars Claim Series Is Nothing Like Game of Thrones

Emily Watson and Olivia Williams in Dune: Prophecy (Credits: HBO)

Game of Thrones was a milestone in television history, but Dune: Prophecy has everything it takes to reach that same level. Still, it’s important to understand that the two stories are distinct. This is something Olivia Williams and Emily Watson, who play the Harkonnen sisters Tula and Valya, wanted to emphasize.

In an exclusive interview with ComicBook, the actresses acknowledged that there might be some similarities, but pointed out that the simple fact Dune: Prophecy focuses on women changes everything. Watson said:

I think a difference in this is that the main protagonists in this are women. There’s lots of other people, but you know, in the sense that it is centered around this sisterhood, I think that makes it unique and interesting, and I’m not in any way holding these women up as kind of feminist icons because they are not. It’s very much a question of don’t do this at home, but great for us to have that range to play with.

Williams admitted that she understands it’s natural for people to make comparisons but agreed with her co-star, adding:

The women in this series are not the adjuncts to the men and that is what sets us apart from Game of Thrones.

The truth is that GOT also explores human stories, diving into politics, society, alliances, betrayals, and power, with a tone that’s intense and serious. However, having a sisterhood at the story’s core is something unique, making it hard to claim the Dune spin-off is just George R.R. Martin‘s story set in space.

Still from Game of Thrones (Credits: HBO)

This was one of the comments from critics who’ve had the privilege of watching the new series. On Rotten Tomatoes, the score is currently at 72%, and it’s expected to rise as more positive feedback comes in. Still, if there’s one thing that’s certain about both shows, it’s that Game of Thrones fans would definitely like Dune: Prophecy.

Dune: Prophecy Actors Reveal How Sets And Timothée Chalamet Eased The Acting Process

Chloe Lea as Sister Lila in Dune: Prophecy (Credits: HBO)

In another interview with ComicBook, Sarah-Sofie Boussnina, Josh Heuston, and Chris Mason shared their thoughts on the new show, including some behind-the-scenes trivia. It seems that the impressive sets played a big part in helping the cast get deeper into their characters.

Boussnina, who plays the heir to House Corrino and the Golden Lion Throne, mentioned that the grand scale of the sets allowed her to quickly immerse herself in the story:

It was so amazing. Like, the throne room… Princess Ynez’s bedroom is bigger than my real-life apartment! It’s huge, and it was just like being there. Everything is practically built, and all the props are usable – you can use everything in the room. For an actor, it’s a dream because you are actually there, you don’t have to pretend.

Heuston explained that filming scenes with a large crowd in the palace’s throne room made him feel the energy of something real, especially considering his character is the emperor’s son. Meanwhile, Mason detailed the nuances of the sci-fi environments, highlighting the attention to detail in the sets.

However, it wasn’t just the places that made the whole process easier; Timothée Chalamet‘s portrayal of Paul Atreides also played a key role. Chloe Lea credited the actor with helping her land the role of Sister Lila, as she believed the trajectories of her character and Paul were quite similar.

The series is based on the book Sisterhood of Dune by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson, which explores the origins of the Bene Gesserit. The story is set around 10,000 years before the events of Dune.

Dune: Prophecy will be debuting on HBO and Max on November 17.