“Dune: Prophecy” star on those tragic finale deaths: 'It's such a strong love story'

Warning: This article contains spoilers for Dune: Prophecy season 1, episode 6, "The High-Handed Enemy." 

It's not often that a brand-new character is introduced in the final two episodes of a season, makes a huge impact on the story, and is then killed off — but that's exactly what Dune: Prophecy did with Sister Francesca.

This Bene Gesserit character, played by the Indian actress Tabu, arrived on the show just last week, but immediately demonstrated a unique power as the only woman in the universe who could make Emperor Javicco Corrino (Mark Strong) do what she wants. Their shared son, Konstantin (Josh Heuston), is a testament to the strength of their bond.

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“He allows himself to be vulnerable only with Francesca. You see him up close with all his flaws and insecurities when she is around,” Tabu tells Entertainment Weekly. “They’re both carrying so much baggage, and we don’t know why she was made to have this son with him. Of course, everything is a design with the Bene Gesserit, so there was some motivation. But I think what makes it interesting is you're left guessing, what could they have been?”

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Unfortunately, sometimes it’s easy come, easy go. Francesca did not survive the Dune: Prophecy series finale — and for that matter, neither did the Emperor. Torn between his conflicting loyalties to Francesca, the Empress Natalya (Jodhi May), and Reverend Mother Valya Harkonnen (Emily Watson), Javicco chose to take his own life. Francesca hardly had time to mourn him before the Empress snuck up and killed her with a gom jabbar needle.

Related: How Dune: Prophecy unfolds the secret history of the Bene Gesserit

“It was very sad. I felt terrible because the Emperor is so in love with Francesca, and he reignited his passion,” Tabu says. “She’s come with the intention of helping him, but in that moment she's not able to convince Javicco that she did not come to kill him. I think that's the most unfortunate thing about lovers, when one of them feels betrayed and the other person is not to blame. The feeling of betrayal is so deep, because the love is so strong, that it just takes over all of your senses. It’s very sad for Francesca and Javicco, but I feel like it's such a strong love story. They couldn't live with each other, but they literally died with each other.”

In a press conference ahead of the season finale, showrunner Alison Schapker confirmed that Javicco's death is indeed permanent, even though production will miss having Strong on set.

"We love him, and we're very sad about it," Schapker said. "Mark Strong was a joy to work with, just a tremendous actor and a tremendous human being. I think his characterization of this particular Emperor was brilliant. It was such a pleasure to watch him trace his arc across the season. But yes, I think it's safe to say that he's dead. But he will be missed, and he leaves a big power vacuum."

We know from this year's Dune: Part Two that House Corrino will retain control of the throne over time, because Emperor Shaddam IV (Christopher Walken) is also a descendant of that royal family. But the question of who will fill that vacuum in the meantime remains to be answered. Viewers can rest easy, knowing that they will eventually get an answer, because Schapker announced at the press conference that Dune: Prophecy has been renewed for season 2.

Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly