Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Dune: Prophecy episode 3!Dune: Prophecyepisode 3 is titled “Sisterhood Above All,” and while it is primarily in reference to Valya Harkonnen’s inability to say those words as a vow to the Bene Gesserit, it also highlights Tula’s single-minded devotion to her elder sister’s goals. The episode spends more time than ever beforeexploring the Harkonnen girls' livesbefore they officially joined the Sisterhood, taking viewers to their desolate home planet of Lankiveil and showcasing how differently Valya feels from her parents about the family’s outcast status. When her brother Griffin dies attempting to bring her the justice she desires, Valya is sent away to the Sisterhood, and Tula is left to take up the mantle of vengeance.
Despite her meek and compassionate ways, Tula (played brilliantly by Emma Canning) does indeed bring the Atreides to heelby the end ofDune: Prophecyepisode 3, seducing Orry Atreides and murdering his family while he sleeps. When he wakes to discover what she’s done, she reavets the whole truth of her identity and plans to him before killing him as well. Though her parents are horrified, Valya’s approval is all she needs, and it is the final push both sisters need to join the Sisterhood for good.
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ScreenRantinterviewed Canning about stepping into the spotlight asyoung Tula Harkonnen inDune: Prophecyepisode 3. The actor shared her take on Tula’s devotion to Valya amidst her own insecurities, addressed whether she considered letting her Atreides lover live after massacring his family, and teased future episodes of the season.
The Bond Between The Harkonnen Siblings Is A Very Complex One In Dune: Prophecy
“Why don’t I have that voice or that passion? Have they taken it all, and there’s nothing left for me in the genetics?”
Screen Rant: We hear Tula say her sister never really much cared for her, but it seems like Tula very much cares for her sister. Can you talk about her perspective early on Valya’s ambition for the family?
Emma Canning: She thinks Valya is the most incredible person at everything, while she isn’t. Valya probably feels the same way because she doesn’t want to be like anyone in her family; she’s kind of repulsed by them and wants to be as different as possible. Tula’s elder siblings, Griffin and Valya, have very clear goals for themselves. Griffin is going to be the head of the house, and he’s going to hopefully lift us out of this backwater planet and help us rise through the universe, while Valya’s going to be at his side as this incredible Truthsayer and learned woman.
I think Tula just feels a bit like a void. She has these two siblings to look up to that are so decisive, so themselves, so outspoken, and she’s asking, “Why don’t I have that voice or that passion? Have they taken it all, and there’s nothing left for me in the genetics?” Yeah, she just feels a little lost.
Screen Rant: Tula may not have that passion, but she does have compassion despite massacring the Atreides household, which we see when she saves both the horse and young Albert. It’s an interesting parallel to older Tula doing everything she can to save Lila. Did you look to Olivia Williams' performance to guide Tula’s growth in your flashback scenes, and did you get to speak to her about the time that’s passed in between your interpretations?
Emma Canning: I do think Olivia had the more difficult job because she had a huge amount of imagination work to do. Obviously, she doesn’t get to play those scenes and then she has to also trace through what those events would do to a person, whereas I got to just kind of live them and play them and react within them. The follow-through and aftershocks are smaller, and there’s less to build and gather and to verify you’re holding as you deliver your performance.
But it was really useful that she and I spoke about Tula and how we viewed her. We were quite gentle in our discussion of her, but Olivia is the youngest child [in her family], so she was able to really speak to that feeling of how you’re perceived. One example she gave was like, “I own a house, but I’m still a f–king baby. What is that? Why I can do all of these grownup things and never be seen as an equal?”
Olivia had done some work before I started shooting, so the production sent me a little scene pack, which was beyond useful. It meant that Olivia had really set a tone and built a shape. Even with her voice — I’m Irish, and obviously she’s English and speaking with an English accent. So, even that, I didn’t have too much to build by myself. I had a lot that was presented to me, and I just had to pick it up and ensure I kept it.
Emma Canning Breaks Down Tula Harkonnen’s Motivations In Dune: Prophecy Episode 3
“It’s like the floor has opened up beneath her, and she no longer has the truth of this.”
Screen Rant: I really love how we see the romance play out with Orry Atreides. Do you think that she had real feelings for him despite her murderous plan, and why does she tell him the truth the moment before she kills him?
Emma Canning: Yeah, I think she 100% has fallen in love with him. It was kind of unanimous; the decision was made that this was a love story. These are star-crossed lovers a la Romeo and Juliet, trapped between two warring families.
Obviously, it’s not Tula’s intention to fall in love with Orry. I think it definitely gives her an in that he’s interested, and she takes it. I think she’s so used to looking outside of herself and watching to get feedback that her own feelings are often unknown to her. They really do creep up, and I think it all spins out of control.
I don’t think she expected him to ask her to marry her, and I don’t know if she even feels worthy of being someone’s wife. The fact that he’s viewing her in that way is a major perspective shift; to have someone want you to occupy that status in their life? She’s never been afforded that within her own familial dynamics, so I think that’s a major shock. His family being rather welcoming is another huge shock.
We talked about the scene of the morning after, where she reveals her true identity. I played the scene at the beginning that, in my head, I’m actually deciding I’m going to sneak out the door here. I know what’s gone on outside, and I know I can’t stay, so I’m getting out now. That’s how I played the scene, and it gave a real sense of, “I don’t know what’s going to happen now that you’ve woken up. You’re going to see what’s outside, but I also want you to know why I have done the things I’ve done, because I respect you and love you enough to want you to know this.”
I think another curve ball is him saying, “I don’t think it matters that you’re a Harkonnen and I’m an Atreides. I don’t think that should affect us.” That is a thought she has not had before, and I think that him saying this is such a huge moment. Suddenly, she doesn’t have a leg to stand on. It’s like the floor has opened up beneath her, and she no longer has the truth of this. But still, “We do what we must. You are an Atreides, and I’m a Harkonnen. This needs to happen.” Yeah, I tried to play that scene like I didn’t know, and I wasn’t certain that I was going to follow through.
Screen Rant: You make the decision to enter the Sisterhood at the end of episode 3, following Valya against your parents' wishes. Are we going to see you acclimating to that new purpose, and why did you make that choice right then?
Emma Canning: Yeah, we will get to see Tula transition into the Sisterhood and get to watch her try and shake off any echo of what her life was before entering the Sisterhood - [any echo] other than being Valya’s sister. We’ll also get to watch how everything follows us, as there is no clean break. We watch her deal with those consequences.
Why did she decide to follow Valya? Certainly, at the beginning of the episode, it was never in her mind that she would ever join the Sisterhood. But she has nothing else at this moment. She’s heartbroken. I think she hates herself and has huge, huge regrets. Her family won’t let her forget it, and it’s all anyone’s talking about.
Then Valya comes home and says, “We should be heralding Tula. You are amazing. Griffin would be so proud.” Suddenly, I have an image of Tula looking in the mirror and hating what she sees. But then she has this new mirror in Valya, and it’s one of positivity and pride. I think Tula is clinging to Valya like a lifeboat.
More About Dune: Prophecy Season 1
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 is inspired by the novel SISTERHOOD OF DUNE, written by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson.
