The Hollywood Reporter brings word that Jon Spaihts will be exiting the Dune: The Sisterhood HBO Max series as showrunner and will instead be focusing on the potential sequel to the forthcoming Dune film.
The outlet notes that Legendary TV was unhappy with Spaihts’ initial draft and revised outline for the female-focused series that is serving as a TV offshoot of the upcoming remake for WarnerMedia’s new streaming service. The studio is currently seeking a showrunner to replace Spaihts.
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As the name suggests, the new show will focus on the Bene Gesserit, an ancient order of women that factors heavily into Herbert’s books. Its members are trained to have complete mastery over their minds and bodies. They also gain a heightened sense of perception and use their abilities to guide humanity along a path of their own design. 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.
Dune director Denis Villeneuve will helm The Sisterhood’s pilot episode and will produce the venture with Brian Herbert, Byron Merritt and Kim Herbert for the Frank Herbert estate. Kevin J. Anderson, who co-authored additional Dune novels with Brian Herbert, is co-producing the new series. Jon Spaihts, who co-wrote the screenplay for the first film, will executive produce the series.
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Lady Jessica (mother of Paul Atreides) and the Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam are among the Bene Gesserit who feature prominently in Herbert’s original novel. Rebecca Ferguson and Charlotte Rampling will assume those roles in next year’s remake. It’s unclear if those characters will cross over from Villeneuve’s film to the new TV series. However, it would certainly be a fun way to tie these projects together.
