Star Wars’ Alec Guinness Inspired Emily Watson

To play Valya Harkonnen in Dune: Prophecy, Emily Watson sought inspiration from Alec Guinness and his role as Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars.

How did Star Wars inspire Emily Watson in Dune: Prophecy?

In an interview with Variety, Watson explained how she leaned on her theatrical roots with the Royal Shakespeare Company to deliver Valya’s dialogue and militaristic commands. This classically trained approach reminded her of Guinness, a legendary stage actor, and his line deliveries in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope.

“He made that dialogue sound like Shakespeare, and because he did that, it allowed him to have this understated, quiet, commanding presence,” Watson said about Guinness. “That’s how I found my way into this, because if you don’t take on the lines with a kind of meticulousness, they can be very elusive.”

In Dune: Prophecy, Watson and Olivia Williams play Valya and Tula Harkonnen, sisters who will find the group that becomes the Bene Gesserit.

HBO’s synopsis reads: “From the expansive universe of Dune, created by acclaimed author Frank Herbert, and 10,000 years before the ascension of Paul Atreides, Dune: Prophecy follows two Harkonnen sisters as they combat forces that threaten the future of humankind, and establish the fabled sect that will become known as the Bene Gesserit.”

Dune: Prophecy’s ensemble includes Travis Fimmel, Jodhi May, Mark Strong, Sarah-Sofie Boussnina, Josh Heuston, Chloe Lea, Jade Anouka, Faoileann Cunningham, Edward Davis, Aoife Hinds, Chris Mason, Shalom Brune-Franklin, Camilla Beeput, Jihae, Tabu, Charithra Chandran, Jessica Barden, Emma Canning, and Yerin Ha. 

Dune: Prophecy is inspired by the Sisterhood of Dune, a novel by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson. Executive producer Alison Schapker is the showrunner, while Diane Ademu-John co-developed the series and executive produces. Additional executive producers include Anna Foerster, Jordan Goldberg, Mark Tobey, John Cameron, Matthew King, Scott Z. Burns, Jon Spaihts, Byron Merritt, Kim Herbert, and Brian Herbert. Anderson serves as co-producer.

Co-produced by HBO and Legendary Television, Dune: Prophecy is a prequel spin-off series to the Dune movies by Denis Villeneuve.

Dune: Prophecy premieres Sunday, November 17 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and Max.

(Source: Variety)