In this week’s episode of Bingeworthy, host Mike DeAngelo ventures away from the desert sands of Arrakis and into the unknown with showrunner Alison Schapker, who helms the HBO series “Dune: Prophecy.” Set 10,000 years before the events of “Dune,” the prequel series explores the origins of the Bene Gesserit, following two Harkonnen sisters as they combat threats to humanity’s future. Starring Emily Watson, Mark Strong, Olivia Williams, Travis Fimmel, and more, the show blends political intrigue, sprawling family dynamics, and the grandeur of Frank Herbert’s iconic universe.
Joining the podcast, showrunner Alison Schapker reflected on the magnitude of adapting such a revered franchise and the daunting but rewarding process of bringing “Dune: Prophecy” to life.
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“‘Dune’ will take everything and more—there’s no limit to what you can bring,” Schapker said. “It’s so ambitious, so thought out, so detailed. You really can flex in an incredibly rewarding way.”
Schapker emphasized that creating a series of this scale required both passion and precision, a challenge met by a highly skilled team.
“I felt surrounded by people at the height of their craft who cared,” Schapker explained. “Every day was like climbing a mountain. We had gargantuan sets designed by Tom Meyer; even the smaller ones were so detailed and lovingly brought to life. Our visual effects team was phenomenal, and it was some of the most elegant work I’ve seen. It all felt grounded in the Dune universe.”
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Given the show’s placement 10,000 years before the films’ events, Schapker noted that the creative team carefully balanced honoring established lore with introducing new or perhaps less developed elements.
“We tried to mark the differences but also honor the technological stagnation within the world,” Schapker said. “For instance, the thumpers are bigger, more unwieldy, and there are variations in things like space travel, but the DNA of Dune is very much present.”
Schapker also addressed inevitable comparisons to “Game of Thrones” due to the series’ feudal structure, political scheming, and sprawling ensemble cast.
“We welcome the comparison,” Schapker said. “Dune has a neo-futurist feudalism happening with great houses and dynasties spanning thousands of years. That’s familiar to anyone who loves ‘Game of Thrones,’ but what sets us apart is the futurism and the unique world-building.”
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The series’ timeline spans two distinct periods, showcasing the rise of Valya Harkonnen and her leadership decades later.
“We’re tethering ourselves to the novels while also creating a new story in collaboration with the Herbert Estate,” Schapker shared. “The Sisterhood becomes the Bene Gesserit, but what prompted that rebranding? How did their 10,000-year plan to bring about the Kwisatz Haderach begin? That’s the space we’re exploring.”
Schapker hinted at the series’ vast potential for future seasons while remaining cautious about overpromising.
“I want people to come watch the season, like show up for season one,” Schapker cautiously said. “But yes, I have a story trajectory I want to tell. We know where the Bene Gesserit end up in the Denis [Villeneuve] films and the Frank Herbert novels—they’re institutionalized, pulling levers, massively influential. This is about exploring how they became that.”
Regardless, for Schapker, the depth and density of the storytelling make “Dune: Prophecy” endlessly rewarding for fans and newcomers alike.
“We wanted this to be a point of entry for people unfamiliar with Dune while still feeling meaty and juicy for longtime fans,” she said. “It’s my favorite kind of television—something that rewards rewatches and reveals new details each time.”
“Dune: Prophecy” is currently airing new episodes weekly on HBO and Max. You can listen to the full interview with Alison Schapker on this week’s episode of Bingeworthy below.

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The Playlist Presents – Alison ScSchapker’silm/TV Recommendation Playlist:

“C“nclave” ”2024) – Directed By Edward Berger
“T“e Wild Robot” ”2024) – Directed By Chris Sanders
“T“e Sopranos” ”1999) – Created By David Chase
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