origins of the Bene Gesserit, 10,000 years before the birth of Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet). Though it has been met with mixed reviews, the first episode racked up 15 million viewers for Max, HBO's streaming platform. Dune: Prophecy is just about to air its finale on Sunday, December 22, and for some time, there has been speculation over whether it will pave the way for an additional season.

Now, the show's fate is clear. HBO has announced that Dune: Prophecy has been renewed for season 2. Specific details about what is to come have not been revealed, perhaps out of a desire to avoid spoilers for the forthcoming finale. Sarah Aubrey, Head of Max Original Programming, said in a statement:

DUNE: PROPHECY has captivated audiences around the globe thanks to the visionary leadership of showrunner and executive producer Alison Schapker, who will continue to guide this grand tale of truth and power. We are incredibly grateful to our partners at Legendary and to our extraordinary cast and crew for their service to the Imperium. We’re excited to collaborate with this team again to see what they have in store.

Additionally, Jason Clodfelter, Legendary’s President of Television (Legendary co-produces the series with HBO), added:

This new season will allow us to continue building out the groundbreaking, epic DUNE franchise that has captivated audiences worldwide across its installments. We look forward to continuing our incredible partnership with HBO and are thrilled for Alison Schapker, her team, and the cast and crew who have worked so ionately to bring this world-class source material from Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson to life.

What Dune: Prophecy's Season 2 Renewal Means

HBO And Warner Bros. Are Going Big On Dune

Villeneuve's Dune movies, which were directly based on Frank Herbert's iconic novel of the same name, received immense critical acclaim; the first movie won several technical Oscars and the second remains a key player in the current awards race. In contrast, Dune: Prophecy isn't based on a specific Herbert property, but is instead inspired by Sisterhood of Dune by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson. The show has also been greeted with more mixed reviews, with some praising the performances and certain storylines, and others feeling the series is too crowded and desperate to copy Game of Thrones.

Though one episode still has to air, the reception of Dune: Prophecy so far doesn't suggest there's an urgency for another season. However, this could mean the finale will end on an explosive cliffhanger, paving the way for another, stronger story. HBO and Warner Bros. are keen on expanding this property, and Villeneuve is already working on a third Dune movie. It is clear the studios won't be willing to let anything go when there's a chance for greater success, so perhaps the plan for season 2 truly is promising.

Our Take On Dune: Prophecy Season 2

Season 2 Can Tell A More Streamlined Story

In its first season, Dune: Prophecy has followed Valya Harkonnen's (Emily Watson) increasingly desperate attempts to maintain the Sisterhood's control over the Imperium, which have often been thwarted by mysterious newcomer Desmond Hart (Travis Fimmel). That alone is a meaty storyline, but the series has also featured a substantial amount of palace intrigue through the various of House Corrino, the trials faced by new trainees within the Sisterhood, and a rebel plot against the Great Houses.

This is a great deal of story to pack into one six-episode season, and it's one of the reasons Dune: Prophecy has struggled to get off the ground. With most of the pivotal set-up and early moves out of the way, season 2 can tell a more streamlined, urgent story. There is a risk of viewers not being interested in tuning into season 2 if they were disappointed by the early episodes, so there's a lot riding on the season 1 finale. Hopefully, Dune: Prophecy will go out on a high that leaves audiences eager for more.

Source: Max