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Empress Natalya
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]
References
- Thomas, Leah Marilla (November 22, 2025). "Now That It's Returning for Season 2, You Have to Watch One of HBO Max's Best Hard Sci-Fi Shows". Collider.
- Doll, Katie (December 23, 2024). "Dune: Prophecy's Jodhi May Breaks Down Natalya's Fatal Finale". CBR.
- Emily, Olivia (November 18, 2024). "Jodhi May On Empress Natalya's 'Very Unexpected' Character Arc".
- Millman, Zosha (November 25, 2024). "Dune: Prophecy's latest twist sets up an interrogation of one of the book's most interesting questions". Polygon.
- Wiseman, Andreas (October 13, 2022). "Dune: The Sisterhood: Game of Thrones & Obi-Wan Star Indira Varma Joins HBO Max & Legendary Prequel Series as Empress Natalya". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 10, 2023. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
- Matassa, Caralynn; Haasch, Palmer; Jacobs, Eammon (November 17, 2024). "A Guide to Every Dune: Prophecy Character You Need to Know". Business Insider. Archived from the original on November 19, 2024. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
- Tallerico, Brian (November 17, 2024). "Dune: Prophecy Kicks Off with a Narratively Choppy Premiere". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on November 20, 2024. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
- Collins, Sean T. (November 17, 2024). "Dune: Prophecy Season 1 Premiere Recap: Sick Burn". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 19, 2024. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
- Tallerico, Brian (November 24, 2024). "Dune: Prophecy Improves in an Intense Second Episode". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on November 25, 2024. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
- Collins, Sean T. (November 24, 2024). "Dune: Prophecy Season 1, Episode 2 Recap: The Agony". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 25, 2024. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
Season 1
4. "Twice Born": Natalya reveals she leaked the truth about Pruwet's murder, so Javicco could prosecute thinking-machine abusers. [1][2]
- "Twice Born" - Back in the palace, the Empress is the next to pay Desmond a visit. We’ve already realized she isn’t always working in concert with her husband, and she’s got a little present for Desmond: Imperial surveillance files, identifying “machine dealers trading in illegal technology.” Though Corrino told Desmond to stand down, his wife is all about taking action. Desmond figures out that she’s who started the rumor about Prewet’s murder, and he takes it to heart when she says sometimes all the Emperor needs is “that little push.”[3]
5. "In Blood, Truth": Desmond tells Natalya that his mother was a Sister, who left him to scavengers. Natalya complains to Desmond that the Sisterhood stole her power and her daughter, then kisses him.[4][5]
6. "The High-Handed Enemy": Natalya arrests Ynez for attempting Keiran's rescue. Javicco unsuccessfully tries to send Natalya away. Javicco threatens Francesca, but, despairing, stabs himself. Natalya kills Francesca with the needle.[6][7]
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- Tallerico, Brian (December 8, 2024). "A Shaky Dune: Prophecy Asks a Whole Lot of Questions". The A.V. Club. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
- Bardini, Julio (December 9, 2024). "Dune: Prophecy Episode 4 Recap: We Live Inside a Nightmare". Collider. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
- Eddy, Cheryl (December 9, 2024). "Dune: Prophecy Is Now the Desmond Hart Show". Gizmodo. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
- Tallerico, Brian (December 15, 2024). "This Season's Penultimate Dune: Prophecy Feels Largely Lackluster". The A.V. Club. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
- Bardini, Julio (December 16, 2024). "Dune: Prophecy Episode 5 Recap: Blood Is Thicker Than Spice". Collider. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
- Tallerico, Brian (December 22, 2024). "In Tonight's Finale, Dune: Prophecy Saves the Real Action for Season Two". The A.V. Club. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
- Bardini, Julio (December 23, 2024). "Dune: Prophecy Finale Recap: Sisterhood Above All". Collider. Retrieved January 21, 2025.