HBO Max’s Dune prequel series Dune: The Sisterhood saw another internal change, losing both a director and one of its stars.
Deadline first broke the news today. Star Shirley Henderson, who was set to play Tula Harkonnen, and Johan Renck, who was set to direct the first two episodes, have both left the show as it is apparently undergoing “creative changes”.
“As Dune: The Sisterhood has entered a pre-scheduled hiatus, creative changes are being made to production in an effort to create the best series possible and stay true to the source material,” an HBO spokesperson said. Max in a statement. . “Johan Renck has completed his work on the series and a new director will be hired; by mutual agreement, Johan pursues other projects. Additionally, Shirley Henderson will leave the show and no longer play Tula Harkonnen.
This is just the last major change Dune: The Sisterhood has seen since. was first announced in 2019. Co-showrunner Jon Spaihts left the role in 2021 and was replaced by Diane Ademu-John, who stepped down last November. Veteran television editor Alison Schapker, best known for her work on Lost, now remains sole showrunner.
Villeneuve was also originally slated to direct the premiere and left that role several months after it was announced, although he was still attached to the project as an executive producer.
According to Deadline’s report, Renck’s “auteur approach” clashed with HBO Max’s vision for the series and deviated from the look of Villeneuve’s films. This does not affect the release of Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two, which is currently scheduled for theatrical release on November 3.
Dune: The Sisterhood is based on Frank Herbert’s 1965 and takes place 10,000 years before the events of the 2021 film. It follows the Harkonnen Sisters (Emily Watson and Shirley Henderson) as they battle the forces that threaten humanity and establish the legendary Bene Gesserit.
Alex Stedman is senior editor at IGN, overseeing entertainment reporting. When she’s not writing or editing, you can find her reading fantasy novels or playing Dungeons and Dragons.