User:TAnthony/Draft A

Empress Natalya-Arat, portrayed by Jodhi May,^[5] is the consort of Emperor Javicco Corrino and mother to their daughter and heir, Princess Ynez-Arat. She is described as "a formidable royal who united thousands of worlds in her marriage to Emperor Corrino."^[6] May said, "I love the fact that Natalya has to operate in a way that's pretty underhanded, so it's a real exploration of power that we are not necessarily used to seeing. She's almost like a kind of politician who has to maneuver and manipulate."^[7]

Storyline

In the series premiere "The Hidden Hand", Natalya opposes the match orchestrated by Mother Superior Valya between Ynez and young nine-year-old Pruwet Richese. Natalya is suspect of Valya's motives, but by design, Javicco requires Richese ships to maintain his control of the desert planet Arrakis, only source of the all-important spice. She is frustrated that Javicco no longer heeds her advice like he used to, when she negotiated their marriage. During the engagement celebration, Natalya is horrified by Pruwet's possession of forbidden technology in the form of a robotic toy lizard, and his father Duke Ferdinand Richese's flippant acceptance of it. She angrily reminds the Duke that he only exists because the Corrinos defeated the thinking machines, and is shocked speechless when Javicco declares he will ignore the transgression for the evening.^[8][9]

In "Two Wolves", Natalya angers Ferdinand by suggesting that Pruwet's death by immolation was an accident, likely caused by his robotic toy. She is intrigued by Desmond's secret power to psychically burn others from the inside, and recognizing his loyalty to Javicco, suggests that they use Desmond's abilities to their own ends. Natalya frees Desmond, and when Ferdinand rails against Javicco and threatens to overthrow and humiliate him, Desmond proves his loyalty by burning Ferdinand severely.^[10][11]

Casting

Indira Varma was originally cast as Natalya in October 2022.^[6] In June 2023, May was cast to replace Varma, who exited the series due to scheduling conflicts after an extended production hiatus.^[5]