Tabu has been cast in the streaming series ‘Dune: Prophecy’. She plays a recurring part in the series that acts as a prequel to filmmaker Denis Villeneuve’s ‘Dune’, which will be released in 2021. According to ‘Variety’, the series was commissioned in 2019 under the title ‘Dune: The Sisterhood’.
It was inspired by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson’s novel ‘Sisterhood of Dune’. The official description is this: “Set within 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.”
The series has had a long journey to the screen, with many showrunner changes and a creative reset in 2023. Alison Schapker serves as showrunner and executive producer. The actress stated that working on “Dune: Prophecy,” which is inspired by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson’s “Sisterhood of Dune” and is set 10,000 years before the events of “Dune,” provided many firsts, including working with people she had never met before.
“I just got an email one day from my agents and my managers telling me that Alison and Anna were the showrunners and the directors on the show wanted to cast me for this particular role,” Tab,whose international credits include Mira Nair’s “The Namesake”, “A Suitable Boy” and Ang Lee’s “Life of Pi”, said.
The actress first reviewed two scenes from the script and then got to a Zoom meeting the following day where the creative team detailed her character’s involvement in the final two episodes. “I just loved the character and the potential of this character. I knew that this is my world, and this I would enjoy doing.”
Tabu discussed the project’s many firsts, which were shot in Budapest, saying: “I think it’s the first time ever in my career, or at least in the past 20 years or so, that I was working with people I’d never met before, who I’d never worked with before, (in) a place I’d never been to before.”
“I was bringing Indian food on set to feed Josh and everyone else. I had a restaurant in Budapest that would send me lunch, dinner, and everything to set up. “And we’d eat outside our trailers,” Tabu explained. “And aside from that… I have myself, and when I arrive, India, my home, and my job in India accompany me.”
“I was aware of the world that Francesca belongs to. I wanted her to feel like she belonged in the world of the Bene Gesserit, but because she has such a strong personality and tale of her own that is unrelated to the others and the other characters, it was intriguing to straddle both,” Tabu said.
The actress stated that she enjoyed playing every scene in which she appeared. “I had some lovely lines to say. Tabu remarked, “My interaction with the Emperor, as well as with Constantine, my son, was something I will cherish.”
“It’s a really strong basis for me to base a character on, but the interesting thing was that I was supposed to have a love relationship with the Emperor. It gave this figure its own area and the ability to roam.” “Also, wearing that outfit, wearing that veil, simply being different and appearing different than I have before – I have never had this. “It’s such a distinct look,” she said.