[Editor’s Note: The following contains spoilers for Dune: Prophecy Season 1, Episode 2]Within the new HBO collection Dune: Prophecy, Denis Villeneuve‘s on-screen universe, tailored from Frank Herbert‘s science fiction novels, is expanded by taking us again 10,000 years. The present explores the Sisterhood origins of the Bene Gesserit and the political schemes of the Nice Homes, introducing us to pivotal characters like Valya and Tula Harkonnen, performed by Emily Watson and Olivia Williams, who work their solution to influential positions of energy.

Season 1, Episode 2, “Two Wolves,” is an enormous step towards establishing the Bene Gesserit, a faction of girls with superhuman presents who will make the most of their powers to form the political way forward for humankind. On this interview with Collider’s Perri Nemiroff, stars Chloe Lea and Jade Anouka, who play Sister Lila and Sister Theodosia, shed some gentle on their characters who present the viewers with a glance contained in the mysterious Sisterhood. Theodosia (Anouka) trains below the tutelage of Mom Superior Valya (Watson), whereas Lila (Lea) is the favourite of Tula (Williams).

On this dialog, Lea and Anouka mirror on the parallels between their jobs on set and their characters inside this world, share what it is like performing reverse Watson and Williams, and tease what lies forward for Theo and Lila after Episode 2. Anouka additionally reveals her character’s emotions about being assigned to Princess Ynez’s (Sarah-Sofie Boussnina) service, and Lea explains how she approached enduring one thing as unimaginable because the Agony.

Meet ‘Dune: Prophecy’s Chloe Lea and Jade Anouka

The duo look again on previous initiatives and reveal their favourite movies.

PERRI NEMIROFF: First, I need our viewers and readers to get to know the 2 of you somewhat bit extra. I do not wish to indicate that you simply’re new to the trade, however while you’re in a present like Dune , it’s going to ship your star hovering in a really, very particular method. Is there any previous undertaking that you simply discovered one thing from that you simply have been in a position to apply to your work on Dune: Prophecy ? However then additionally, are you able to inform me an appearing first you expertise making this present?

CHLOE LEA: A primary for me is, I feel Lila is probably the most just like me, character-wise, that I’ve ever performed. I feel the characters I’ve performed earlier than are usually actually imply or actually powerful, and I really feel like that is so dissimilar to who I’m. Additionally, I feel she’s the primary character that, after I received her, she was the identical age as me. I look lots youthful than I’m, so quite a lot of the time I’ve performed youthful characters, and it was sort of good to be in precisely the identical place as Lila when filming. So, that was enjoyable.

JADE ANOUKA: I did His Darkish Supplies, which is an HBO present, and doing that was a superb stepping stone for this. It was the primary time that I did struggle scenes. It was the primary time working with inexperienced display and stuff like that, and enjoying any person with actual interior energy but in addition a number of thriller was actually nice. That was positively one thing I may deliver into this, which was nice.

A primary for me on this was… There have been so many firsts, truly. Numerous the stuff you will see within the latter episodes have been firsts for me and actually thrilling to do, but in addition being a part of such a giant ensemble firm and likewise getting to return to high school. It felt like going again to high school, particularly in that first episode. And being in a solid with a number of folks comparable in age to me was very nice. Don’t chuckle at that! [Laughs] I am not enjoying youthful than my precise age, I’m kind of the identical age as you, [Chloe]. We’re like friends.

I am gonna squeeze in yet another get-to-know you query that places you each on the spot. I apologize upfront. I must know, what’s your favourite film of all time?

LEA: Oh my god!

ANOUKA: What? This query is inconceivable!

I stroll round with this info in my again pocket, so I anticipate it of different folks! [Laughs]

LEA: That is actually tough! Can I offer you a favourite latest?

Positive!

LEA: One I’ve watched. So, it is not of all time, however The Substance.

Oh my, I may discuss The Substance all day lengthy!

LEA: I may discuss The Substance all day lengthy!

ANOUKA: I by no means watched it.

LEA: Jade, it is advisable to get on that as a result of Demi [Moore], Margaret [Qualley], the efficiency is insane. I don’t wish to spoil something — transformative. That is my favourite latest film.

Wonderful selection.

LEA: Then I may give you one in every of my favourite movies ever.

ANOUKA: Go on.

LEA: It is a movie known as My First Summer time and it’s a homosexual teen movie and it is nice. So, all the teenager gays on the market, should you’re searching for one thing nice, watch that.

I would like some good suggestions in my life. I will take that!

LEA: Sapphic cinema.

ANOUKA: In order that’s two that I do not know.

LEA: I am excited to listen to yours!

ANOUKA: I used to be I used to be going to say the unique Lion King as a result of that modified my world and my worldview on the order of nature [laughs] and the way imply lions might be. But in addition how cute. Gosh, I would like a greater one.

LEA: No, that is deep.

No, that is a superb one!

ANOUKA: I imply, I do know, but it surely’s additionally animation, proper?

LEA: There’s nothing mistaken with that.

ANOUKA: I like animation. I’m gonna go along with The Lion King.

The Sisterhood Presents Objective and Belonging

However, the query is, at what value?

Digging into your characters now, Chloe, I will come your method first. Are you able to inform us somewhat bit about how being raised by the Sisterhood makes Lila totally different from everyone else round her there?

LEA: It simply makes her so loyal to the trigger and to the order. It is a sort of indoctrination. There are quite a lot of spiritual themes within the present, and I feel as a result of Lila has by no means had a special outlook on life, this has been the factor that she’s trusted endlessly and a factor that she’s by no means needed to query. I feel it makes it very fascinating afterward within the present when Lila has a giant choice to make, and it is the primary time she’s received to query every part she’s ever believed. It actually differentiates her from the remainder of the sisters as a result of she lacks the outsider’s perspective. Additionally, she did not actually have a purpose to return to the Sisterhood, so it is sort of simply trusting the prophecy of her life, in a way, that she’s meant to be there and that she will be able to do good issues for the order.

Jade, some psychological gymnastics are going to be required to reply this one — are you able to tease why she is so loyal to the Sisterhood and possibly what it’s about her that makes her such a powerful acolyte?

ANOUKA: I feel the Sisterhood is a spot the place she feels a part of one thing and secure. And I feel the truth that Valya noticed her energy in her and introduced her into her world is simply a tremendous feeling for Theo, that she seems like she’s kind of needed and wanted for who she is and never what she will be able to do. So, I feel her loyalty to Valya comes from feeling seen. Principally, she seems like she’s an outsider, after which any person sees her for who she is. I can relate to that feeling such as you’re simply othered, and I feel she’s at all times been othered. Being a part of the Sisterhood makes her really feel like she’s truly a part of the factor. She’s not the opposite. She is the factor. [Laughs] And being seen by Valya is simply enormous.

The Actual Sisterhood of ‘Dune: Prophecy’

“It was only a actually rewarding expertise.”

Your sisters are Valya and Tula’s favorites, and while you’re somebody’s favourite, I think about it defines your character to a level, so what’s one thing in regards to the two of them as scene companions that helped you discover one thing in your personal character that you simply may not have been in a position to attain with out them?

ANOUKA: Oh my gosh.

LEA: Wow, sensible query!

ANOUKA: That’s so good.

I am shocked I managed to say it in a method that made sense!

ANOUKA: That was so brilliantly shaped. [Laughs] Effectively, positively, as I mentioned, being seen by Valya, but in addition on that double factor of being seen by Emily and dealing with an actor of that caliber and being her scene accomplice and her seeing me as an actor who might be in a scene together with her and believing that I am worthy of appearing alongside her. She was so unbelievable and so encouraging, and it actually felt like Emily noticed me and noticed what I may do, like my energy in that method, and actually made me really feel like I used to be a part of this, not simply on the sidelines, like I used to be an vital a part of this piece and an vital contribution to the present and to life whereas we have been filming. I feel that was that double factor that basically helped with the character, as effectively.

Stunning reply.

LEA: Mine’s sort of an analogous sentiment, as effectively, with me and Lila being in actually comparable positions in simply the act of me filming with all these actors who have been, like Jade, execs, like absolute execs, and like Emily and Olivia. I felt like I had a lot to study on set each day, and I really feel like that may be a comparable sentiment with Lila’s relationship with Tula. She simply seems like she’s this beacon of information that she has a lot to study from. With Lila’s loyalty fully being with the Sisterhood and wanting them to succeed, I really feel like she has lots to absorb from Tula, and she will be able to actually belief her, and I felt like I may actually belief Olivia as a scene accomplice. So yeah, it was only a actually rewarding expertise, and I feel it did positively translate to our scenes collectively.

Sister Theodosia Sees Previous Princess Ynez’s Veil

“There’s far more to you than that.”

To dig into some Episode 2 specifics now, Jade, on this episode Theo is assigned to attempt to befriend the princess. How does she really feel about that mission? Is she honored to get that accountability, or is it one thing she’d quite not do?

ANOUKA: I feel that is not what that is about. I feel the thought of going to Salusa Secundus, which is the place the princess lives, I feel she does not wish to do this. She needed to go to the security of the Sisterhood. That was the deal. And I do not assume she thinks that a lot of the princess, however I feel there is a second in that first scene, and it is proper on the finish of the scene, the place Theo’s like, “Okay, I will must be that individual. ‘What do you wish to know?!’ That is my function. Apparently, that is what I’ve to do now could be babysit you.” Then she will get a solution from the princess that makes her simply go, “Oh, you are not fairly the princess that I believed you have been. There’s far more to you than that,” which is sort of cool.

I at all times are likely to get hyper-focused on tiny particulars, and I will attempt to provide you with a query a couple of one-second response shot.

ANOUKA: A glance.

That is the look that I actually centered on as a result of it says a lot about how she perceives the princess.

ANOUKA: Undoubtedly. Yeah.

Chloe, guess what I will ask you about?

LEA: Oh god. [Laughs] Oh, yeah.

The Agony!

The Agony Was By no means an Choice for Lila

Chloe Lea discusses her character’s mindset and what it takes to painting that journey on-screen.

First, when she agrees to undergo the Agony, is it extra about her trusting Tula, or is it trusting her personal selection?

LEA: It is each. I feel it truly is each. I feel as a result of Tula has been such a rock for Lila all through her entire Sisterhood journey, and I really feel like there’s backstory there that is possibly not even touched on within the first season between Tula and Lila. Lila feels secure in Tula’s selections, and she or he’s at all times trusted her, and that is why she’s nonetheless right here, and that is why she’s succeeding. However I additionally really feel prefer it’s Lila’s first time the place she seems like she truly has a goal, and it is a miracle that this goal coincides with this thought that is been consuming at her her entire life about who she actually is and the place she comes from. So, I do assume that whereas Sister Jen raises some actually vital considerations from a friendship perspective, I really feel like Lila is aware of what she has to do, and I really feel like she feels obligated to undergo with it. In any other case, what’s she right here for?

Digging into the process itself now, first I needed to ask in regards to the exterior a part of that. Did you discuss together with your director, the writers, anybody in any respect by way of what that poison does to the physique bodily so that you knew find out how to mirror that on display?

LEA: I spoke to everybody about every part I may learn about as a result of I feel it is simply so insane. I imply, in the true world, probably the most excruciating factor I can most likely consider might be childbirth, proper? That is, like, the worst ache. Anyway, I’ve by no means gone by means of it myself, however I can think about it is the worst ache anybody can expertise, and I feel as a result of that is to do with motherly ancestors, that instantly got here to thoughts. However then, apparently having poison in your system that you simply’re struggling to transmute, that is actually consuming away at yourselves, I feel it most likely goes somewhat step additional, if I do dare to say myself, than actually giving beginning. So, it was simply sort of making an attempt to drag from everybody each little element about how this might probably be affecting somebody’s physique. And likewise I needed to sort of get to the headspace of making an attempt to think about the worst ache I’ve ever felt in my life, after which go 100 occasions additional than that, so it was a giant one.

And that is solely half of it. That is the exterior. Then there’s the inner, which is simply this chaotic present of lightning, folks and a lot extra. What’s the key to doing that half of the Agony and discovering some kind of roadmap so it is not random mania, but it surely is sensible why she’s experiencing one factor after which the subsequent after which the subsequent?

LEA: I feel for me, the director, John [Cameron], who I used to be fortunate sufficient to work with on that episode, he was very collaborative with exhibiting me his storyboards and speaking me by means of precisely what was occurring and why it was occurring with Lila. In any other case, I really feel like I might have been a bit overwhelmed as a result of it is fixed agony, ache, terror on a regular basis. I am unable to think about, and it is inescapable. So, I used to be actually fortunate to have Alison [Schapker] and Jordan [Goldberg] and John, the director, to speak me by means of the factors of the Agony as a result of it is a actually terrifying factor, but it surely is sort of a journey. And I feel for, like, the.

ANOUKA: There’s sense in it.

LEA: Yeah, there’s sense in it. And likewise, the stakes for Lila are enormous. That is the primary time she’s felt even wanted actually by the Sisterhood and the primary time she will get to show herself. So, there’s additionally lots occurring in addition to the bodily and emotional stress of actually your ancestors making an attempt to, I do not know, I suppose, inhabit you.

Simple work, proper?

LEA: [Laughs] Yeah, gentle work!

Dune: Prophecy is out there to stream on HBO Max. New episodes premiere each Sunday.

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