Tuesday 11 June 2019

DUNE TV series based on authorised fanfiction in development

A Dune television series is in development, as a partner project to Denis Villeneuve's new Dune film (currently shooting on location). However, the TV series appears to be primarily based on the authorised fanfiction by Kevin J. Anderson and Brian Herbert, and not on the canonical Dune novels by Frank Herbert.


Dune: The Sisterhood has been given a straight-to-series order by Warner Brothers for their inevitable new streaming service, WarnerMedia. The series will focus on the Bene Gesserit sisterhood, a key element of the Dune novels but one kept on the sidelines by Frank Herbert in his original books (although they receive significant development in the final two books in the series, Heretics of Dune and Chapterhouse: Dune).

The Bene Gesserit did receive additional development in Herbert and Anderson's officially-authorised novel Sisterhood of Dune. However, their conception of of the Dune universe is at radical odds with that presented in Frank Herbert's original novels and is notably unpopular with Dune fans.

Dune: The Sisterhood will be executive produced by Denis Villeneuve, who has also agreed to direct the first episode. Jon Spaihts, who co-wrote the movie with Villeneuve, will also write for the TV show. Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson are listed as producers.

Villeneuve's movie, the first of two adapting the original 1965 novel Dune, is currently planned for release on 20 November 2020. It is currently shooting on soundstages in Hungary and on location in Jordan.

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