‘Dune: Prophecy’s Princess Inez – “No One Can Stand within the Means of [Her] Plan”

[Editor’s Note: The following contains spoilers for Dune: Prophecy Season 1, Episode 1]

Denis Villeneuve‘s cinematic world of Dune could also be a troublesome act to observe (precede?), however the new HBO sequenceDune: Prophecy is greater than holding its personal after Season 1, Episode 1, “The Hidden Hand.” The present has launched us to a world lengthy earlier than Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) — over 10,000 years earlier than, in truth — with highly effective homes vying for energy, and a non secular sect in turmoil.

Along with carrying the legacy of this huge universe, Sarah-Sofie Boussnina, who performs Princess Ynez, Josh Heuston, who performs Constantine Corrino, and Chris Mason, who performs Keirnan Atreides, together with their different castmates, are tasked with sharing scenes with display legends like Emma Watson and Olivia Williams. It takes sturdy performances, devoted stunt coaching, and a ardour for the fabric, and this trio has all of it in spades.

On this interview, Collider’s Perri Nemiroff sits down with Boussnina, Heuston, and Mason to choose their brains on growing backstory for these characters, the real-life inspiration they used for the Corrino household, every of their characters’ targets, and what it was like working reverse their gifted co-stars. You possibly can watch the complete dialog within the video above or learn the interview transcript under.

Get to Know the Younger Forged of ‘Dune: Prophecy’

The place have you ever seen these faces earlier than …?

PERRI NEMIROFF: I do not wish to indicate that any of you’re new to the enterprise, however being on a Dune present specifically is a very large deal, and a whole lot of our viewers and readers are first going to get to know you thru this sequence. Is there a previous challenge that you just labored on that you just discovered coming in helpful whereas making Dune: Prophecy , however then are you able to additionally every inform me an performing first you skilled making this present?

JOSH HEUSTON: For me, Heartbreak Excessive, which is one other present that I labored on, the throughline between the 2 is seeing that interior youngster, they usually’re each fighting their upbringing and that kind of factor. I believe connecting with that gave me beginning place between the 2 characters. And an performing first, I suppose sword struggle coaching. All that preventing approach and all of that. I’ve by no means actually finished that earlier than and I actually, actually loved studying that.

CHRIS MASON: For me, I do not suppose I’ve finished a task like this earlier than. I have been fortunate to have a various profession however I really feel like this function type of got here on the proper time. I’ve had components in every character. I’ve typically performed the unhealthy man and I do not see Keiran this fashion. However then an performing first, I believe the stunt coaching, with the ability to throw your self into that a lot and have the time to arrange. But additionally, turning as much as set and it is the primary time I’ve finished scenes with Emily Watson. That’s a reasonably good first. And that goes for the remainder of the solid, as properly. Everybody’s so incredible. Each day you flip up with one thing new.

SARAH-SOFIE BOUSSNINA: I do not suppose I’ve performed a personality like Ynez earlier than both. However I am from Scandinavia, so for me, it is one in all my first large worldwide tasks. So, that is an enormous alternative for me. Simply attending to work with all of those people who I like a lot, it is simply been a present.

I like to listen to that!

One other get-to-know-you query that type of places you on the spot just a little, however I like realizing this about individuals. What’s your favourite film of all time?

MASON: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.

HEUSTON: Good reply!

I respect that.

BOUSSNINA: Mine is Edward Scissorhands by Tim Burton. I like Tim Burton, and that movie I can see any day, any time. I simply wish to watch it on a regular basis. I like that movie a lot.

I am proper there with you.

HEUSTON: Mine’s Lord of the Rings, however I am unable to decide one. I’m gonna have to only decide all three.

How the Royal Household Impressed the Corrinos

The Dune: Prophecy solid appeared to real-life inspiration for his or her characters’ backstories.

To begin to dig into your characters just a little bit, I am all the time curious to listen to about private backstory work. For every of you, is there any specific element you developed to your personal character that perhaps we do not see or hear about within the completed present, however was nonetheless essential to you, and we are able to now see it informing your efficiency?

HEUSTON: We have spoken about this a couple of occasions, however I checked out Prince Harry after which Prince Hal, as properly, to take a look at how that might really feel being in line however then not being in line, and the way that might really feel being second, after which the dynamic between the 2 individuals. I checked out that after which we appeared on the Indian class system, as properly, which helped quite a bit. After which once more, the interior youngster kind of factor. I checked out that as a result of Constantine, together with his relationship together with his father, the Emperor Corrino, there are many occasions you see him type of shut down when he will get in bother right here and there. And you then see the shift between his personalities, between his father after which with Ynez. There is a very totally different character that involves the display, and for me, that was the primary half.

BOUSSNINA: We had so many conversations about this as a result of it comes with so many various issues, residing the life that our characters reside. Additionally, they went via one thing traumatic after they had been actually younger, as properly, that undoubtedly formed who they’re after we meet them within the present. There’s this one factor the place we checked out this one scene with Harry and William after their mother died and the way they like needed to placed on that sturdy face. That is one thing that our characters very a lot should do on a regular basis as a result of when they’re in formal settings, they should reside as much as the function that they are given they usually should be skilled. So, internally, there are nonetheless so many different issues occurring that you just then see. For them, they use one another to speak in confidence to and share residing that very secluded, typically lonely life, the place you’ll be able to’t belief lots of people due to your place in life.

HEUSTON: There’s that facade that goes up and also you see it quite a bit, even in YouTube movies with the reference we’re speaking about. You possibly can see micro feelings and expressions, however they’re making an attempt to include every part. And I really feel like whether or not it’s a marriage scene or, with out giving something away, one other large, grand factor with a number of individuals watching, you’ll be able to see that taking place throughout everybody within the royal home. There’s the emotion however then they’re making an attempt to cowl it, which I discover actually attention-grabbing.

MASON: For Keiran, it was essential for me to discover a differentiation from the royal household and the standing as a result of the Atreides household usually are not fairly there but. Voice was an enormous a part of it for me. I had a whole lot of conversations with Alison [Schapker] about how I can discover a approach to make him really feel extra of a person who’s on the road with the actual individuals. His interactions with the Fremen and the individuals within the spice den and stuff. What he does and who he’s when he leaves work was an enormous factor for me, of what are his true wishes and morals?

What Is Princess Ynez’s Endgame?

“She desires to deliver energy to her home.”

Sarah-Sofie, I am gonna come again your approach as a result of there’s one specific element from Episode 1 that was actually curious to me as a result of I really feel like, most of the time, we see a princess principally being pressured down a sure path by her dad and mom, and given a selected dialog she has, that does not appear to be the case together with her. What’s her primary need originally of the present, and does she suppose that need, if she will get it, will make her glad?

BOUSSNINA: That is a very good query. I believe her primary need is that she desires to go research on the Sisterhood as a result of she does wish to reside as much as her place. She’s proud to be a Corrino. She’s proud to be the inheritor to the Golden Lion Throne, and she or he desires to be the long run ruler sooner or later. That is very a lot how she desires to do issues — her approach. And that is one of many the explanation why she desires to go there and research — as a result of she seems as much as these ladies. They’re highly effective, they’re in management. They’re what she desires to be as the long run ruler.

Will that make her glad, finally?

BOUSSNINA: I do not know that she thinks about that, to be sincere. She desires to be the type of ruler that she goals about. I believe lots of people can establish with seeing your dad and mom do issues a sure approach, and also you wish to do issues a unique approach. [Laughs] That is very a lot how she feels. She desires to deliver energy to her home, and she or he desires the Corrino household to be a robust and highly effective home, and she or he thinks she will do this. Additionally, she’s informed that by Kasha. She actually feels seen and heard by her saying, within the first episode, “The primary time I noticed you, I knew.” To have somebody say that to you, that lights a fireplace in you. She’s like, “I am gonna go and do this!”

Is Constantine Corrino Extra Than an Imperial Playboy?

Josh, I’ve the alternative kind of query for you as a result of somebody in Episode 1 mentions that Constantine is a person with no objective. Is that notion simply an outsider’s view or does he, deep down, have a objective, and does he understand it?

HEUSTON: Constantine has a need for objective. And I believe the place you see him within the early levels of the sequence, he is type of navigating that. He is nonetheless looking for his ft. He cannot rise to the heights of Ynez, however then he nonetheless has ambitions and he nonetheless desires his father’s approval and desires respect from not simply him, however everybody within the Imperium, as a result of at that stage he has a repute for being a little bit of a playboy and never having ambition and getting as much as no good. So, for him, he is making an attempt to aspire to have one thing like that, however he hasn’t but discovered the trail there.

I imagine in him.

HEUSTON: I imagine in him, too!

I don’t know if I can belief him, however I imagine in him.

MASON: Belief nobody.

HEUSTON: [Laughs] Don’t belief anybody.

BOUSSNINA: Can I add one factor? For Ynez, due to what they went via as youngsters, that has made her wish to be highly effective and in management. That is additionally one of many the explanation why she desires to go research on the Sisterhood, so she is usually a sturdy chief.

Earlier than There Was Paul, There Was Keirnan Atreides, “Swordmaster of the Identified Universe”

Chris, I am fascinated by the function of Swordmaster. Usually talking, are you able to outline what it means to have that title, after which additionally, what does having that title imply to Keiran particularly?

MASON: Somebody on set as soon as known as it Swordmaster of the Identified Universe, which I believed sounded fairly cool.

BOUSSNINA: That does sound actually cool! [Laughs]

MASON: So far as troopers go and sword fight, he is the head, and the place that comes with that’s to be the emperor’s private swordmaster attributed with coaching the household and likewise going to conflict when that arises, and preventing for the household, too. So, it is a fairly large title that he is bought, however one which he is greater than able to coping with.

What does it imply to him to have earned that title?

MASON: It means quite a bit. I do not suppose it was a shock to him. I believe he is aware of his skills and from a younger age he is skilled to get to that time, and I do not suppose any of that is stunning to him.

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I like speaking in regards to the worth of scene companion, and along with the three of you, you’re surrounded by many extra. Are you able to every give me an instance of a time on set when a scene companion gave you simply what you wanted, and it teed you up for achievement with your personal work?

BOUSSNINA: My first day I used to be so nervous and intimidated as a result of I used to be doing a scene with Emily, who I’ve all the time adored. I imply, she’s Emily Watson. And I simply keep in mind being so nervous, solely to get there and notice that there is a cause why she’s the most effective at what she does as a result of she brings it. She’s extremely gifted, however she additionally elevates everybody that is there together with her and makes everybody deliver their A-game, and which means a lot coming in not that have and attending to work with somebody like her. And on prime of that, she’s simply such a lovely individual and creates such a snug atmosphere the place we really feel protected. I did not know what to anticipate, however I simply adore her a lot.

MASON: There’s not a nasty egg within the solid, which is uncommon on this enterprise. Turning as much as set each day and with the ability to work with nice individuals is superb. I decide Sarah-Sofie because the scene companion as a result of we have now a whole lot of good scenes collectively. The quantity of occasions I’d flip as much as set and we would have a good suggestion the scene, however then watching her work and watching her drive the scene made my job really easy as a result of my reactions had been so pure to what she was bringing.

HEUSTON: Mine could be Emily, as properly. It was the primary day of taking pictures and the primary scene being shot and it was Emily and I, and I used to be like, “That is insane.” So, the place you wait earlier than you go on set, I used to be pacing and simply saying my traces to myself [laughs], and she or he comes over and she or he’s like, “Oh, hey, the way you doing?” And I used to be like, “Yeah, good.” Anyway, she comes again, like, two minutes later with a tennis ball. So, earlier than strolling on the set, we had been simply enjoying handball and it removed all my nerves. And every time we hit the ball, we would say the road to one another, and it type of simply removed all of that.

MASON; It is an ideal scene, too.

HEUSTON: Yeah! It’s the primary scene that you just see in Episode 1 of Constantine and Valya collectively. It’s that scene.

BOUSSNINA: Josh truly got here the primary day of me filming to observe me as a result of I used to be nervous. You got here and also you had been like, “I am gonna root for you!” And it was simply so good, strolling from the tent to the set.

Do not Mess With Princess Ynez’s Crown

“Nothing and nobody can stand in the best way of my plan.”

I promised I would spoil that specific scene on the finish of Episode 1. In that scene on the ceremony, you undergo such a spread of how of coping with Pruitt. You are playful, you are protecting, and you then name him just a little shit, after all. What was it like mapping all of that out, and likewise how does that talk to the vary of issues she’s able to?

BOUSSNINA: That speaks a lot to the vary and the perimeters of Ynez. It is simply as you stated — she’s so complicated. There are such a lot of sides to her. On the finish of that scene, when she’s telling him off, is one in all my favourite moments as a result of that is the primary time we see this facet to her in Episode 1. It simply exhibits us how she’s saying it how it’s and principally saying, “Nothing and nobody can stand in the best way of my plan. I can play the half till a sure level.”

The truth that it goes from her fulfilling her duties because the inheritor, however nonetheless getting engaged to a nine-year-old youngster, it is apparent by now that there is no romantic chemistry between her and Pruitt. This can be a political alliance between two nice homes, they usually’re there on show, enjoying their components, but additionally she’s type of ready for it to be over, proper? She’s being good to him and playful in it when he is twiddling with one thing and realizing that he introduced in a Pondering Machine to the palace, and the shock of that, and likewise the realizing that, “Okay, every part I’ve deliberate may probably be thrown out of the window now by this little shit.” [Laughs]

MASON: She factors at me when she says that. She may have picked Josh, however no.

BOUSSNINA: [Laughs] No! However then when she’s shielding him and not likely defending him, she’s defending going to the Sisterhood. Then, after the entire standoff, being like, “That is an excessive amount of,” getting out, after which being like, “You are not doing that ever once more.”

Dune: Prophecy is out there to stream on HBO Max. Examine again with Collider for extra interviews with the solid as new episodes drop on Sundays.

TV sequence set within the ‘Dune’ universe which facilities on the lives of the Bene Gesserit.

Forged

Emily Watson , Olivia Williams , Jodhi Could , Travis Fimmel , Mark Sturdy , Jade Anouka , Chris Mason , Sarah-Sofie Boussnina , Shalom Brune-Franklin , Faoileann Cunningham , Aoife Hinds , Chloe Lea , Josh Heuston , Edward Davis , Tabu , Yerin Ha

Writers

Diane Ademu-John , Kevin J. Anderson , Brian Herbert , Frank Herbert

Increase

Watch on Max