WarnerMedia has given a straight-to-series order to Dune: The Sisterhood, a drama from Legendary Television based on Frank Herbert’s classic novel Dune and the popular sci-fi franchise it spawned.
The series is designed to co-exist with the Dune feature film, which is in production at Warner Bros, as part of Legendary’s comprehensive plans for Dune that also include video games, digital content packages and comic book series.
Further underlining the symbiotic relationship between the movie and the series, Denis Villeneuve, who is directing and producing the new Dune film, also is set to executive produce the series and direct its pilot episode, with one of the feature’s co-writers, Jon Spaihts set to write the show. It mirrors NBCUniversal ‘s approach to the Purge franchise, which also encompasses a film and TV series franchise.
Frank Herbert’s Dune portrays a future in which humanity has spread across the galaxy to thousands of worlds, all ruled by the Padishah Emperor, The Imperium. Dune: The Sisterhood explores this universe through the eyes of a mysterious order of women: the Bene Gesserit. Given extraordinary abilities by their mastery of the body and the mind, the Bene Gesserit expertly weave through the feudal politics and intrigue of The Imperium, pursuing plans of their own that will ultimately lead them to the enigmatic planet Arrakis — known to its inhabitants as Dune.
Villeneuve, who also is a co-writer on the upcoming Dune movie, and Spaihts will executive produce with Brian Herbert, Byron Merritt and Kim Herbert for the Frank Herbert estate. Kevin J Anderson will co-produce.
“The Bene Gesserit have always been fascinating to me. Focusing a series around that powerful order of women seemed not only relevant and inspiring but a dynamic setting for the television series,” Villeneuve said.
There have been 20 books in the Dune series that have built a layered universe. The first six novels were written by Frank Herbert and the continuation of the series by Frank’s son, Brian Herbert, along with Kevin J. Anderson.
The WarnerMedia streaming platform has been ramping up its series orders. The service recently picked up drama Tokyo Vice, starring Ansel Elgort, and also has Love Life, a romantic comedy anthology series starring and executive produced by Anna Kendrick and Gremlins animated series.
Must Read Stories
Subscribe to Deadline Breaking News Alerts and keep your inbox happy.