Dune: Prophecy’s Mark Addy And Edward Davis Talk House Harkonnen’s Role In The Series

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As an experienced actor with a rich background of playing powerful characters like King Robert Baratheon in Game of Thrones, I find it intriguing to step into the shoes of someone as different as Evgeny from Dune: Prophecy. Unlike my previous roles that were filled with power and influence, Evgeny is a character who has been exiled and seen his family brought low.

In an unprecedented portrayal for Dune fans, HBO’s Dune: Prophecy reveals House Harkonnen as a disgraced and powerless family, banished to the icy world of Lankiveil due to their perceived betrayal by House Atreides during the war against the thinking machines. This contrasts with their intimidating role in Frank Herbert’s original Dune novels, where they are led by Baron Vladimir and serve as a formidable obstacle for Paul Atreides to overcome.

In a conversation with Game Rant, actors Edward Davis and Mark Addy from the series “Dune: Prophecy” shared insights about their characters, Harrow (House Harkonnen’s young leader) and Evgeny (the aged, disgruntled member). As Valya and Tula Harkonnen (portrayed by Emily Watson and Olivia Williams) have abandoned the family to join the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood, the responsibility of rebuilding falls on Harrow and Evgeny. The actors delved into topics such as Griffin’s demise, Harrow’s conflicting ambition and insecurity, Evgeny’s animosity towards Valya, among other intriguing points. For your convenience, this transcript has been condensed for clarity and conciseness.

Harrow And Evgeny’s Relationship With Valya

How might Harrow feel upon Valya’s return to House Harkonnen after a long absence? Let’s consider what thoughts could be swirling in his mind.

Davis implies that Harrow hasn’t interacted with the woman for a long time, their last encounter occurred when Harrow was still young. Given that most of Harrow’s views about her were likely influenced by Evgeny, it’s understandable that he initially feels biased against her. However, Davis suggests that over time, there seems to be a mutual recognition or understanding between them, even if not necessarily respect. This change in Harrow’s perspective is possible because his view of the woman isn’t based on personal experiences; rather, it can evolve as he gets to know her better, unlike Evgeny who appears unable to see anything but negativity towards the woman.

Q: Is that true – has Evgeny held on to this dislike of Valya his entire life?

Addy: Not only has he continued to hold onto it, but it has grown more problematic over time. It’s tempting to express my feelings about this directly to her. It seems he hasn’t managed to move past it yet.

Harrow Harkonnen Schemes For Greater Power

A: Was Griffin Harkonnen the family’s inheritor before he was murdered? Does it seem like Harrow has often been likened to Griffin in your opinion, a comparison that may have influenced him growing up?

Davis: Certainly, there’s a large portrait of Griffin hanging in his house. While it’s hard not to notice the similarities, I don’t believe anyone would boldly claim that Harrow is the “next Griffin.” Instead, it seems that Harrow finds his niche by not following in Griffin’s footsteps of nobility and honor.

Indeed, Harrow stands in stark contrast to Griffin. There’s a strong drive within him that sets him apart. He’s not shy about engaging with the court, and he’s prepared to strategize and manipulate political situations to benefit House Harkonnen.

In simpler terms, Davis suggests that the man’s ambition is deeply personal to him. It’s not just about accumulating wealth or power. Instead, it’s a desire to restore House Harkonnen to its past glory and be the one who achieved this feat. Despite being part of a weak family, he has nowhere else to go but up, so he must strive to reach the top.

Discussion suggests that Harrow might have married Princess Ynez instead of Pruwet Richese; however, she is forced into an underage marriage with him. Given these circumstances, do you believe a potential relationship between Harrow and Ynez would have been successful?

Davis: [Laughs] Based on mine and Sarah-Sophie [Boussnina’s] relationship, absolutely not.

She frequently joked that I smelled like fish whenever we were close together, but at times she playfully referred to me as a stalker. [Laughs].

In the realm of Dune, unpredictable events are commonplace. A strategic union might have functioned, yet Harrow seems an unlikely candidate – he’s not someone given to romantic entanglements. I can’t say for certain if it would have brought them joy, but happiness in marriage may be elusive for everyone within this world.

Evgeny Harkonnen Is Defined By His Resentment

Is it plausible that Evgeny concurs with Harrow’s evaluation of himself as the “least strong” member within the family?

As a movie critic, I found myself sharing Evgeny’s sentiment that Harrow should have been the one to marry Princess Ynez Corrino. He recognizes that Harrow may not embody Griffin entirely, but he is our best option. There’s a chance he could steer things in a new direction, and it’s intriguing to see how Harrow transforms once Valya joins him. It’s as if the young man has finally found his protector, allowing him to step out of the shadows and shine a little brighter.>

It’s all fascinating stuff, little elements of relationships that can have a big impact on the story. Tiny little things are absolutely fascinating, and Dune is full of those. But Harrow – I love Harrow. I love the fact that he does add a little bit of humor. There aren’t many laughs in Dune: Prophecy, but it’s nice that Harrow provides a few of the ones there are. So I love him as a character.

A: Given your background of portraying powerful characters like King Robert Baratheon from Game of Thrones, what’s it like to play the role of Evgeny, a character with minimal power, who has been exiled and witnessed his family’s downfall?

Addy: It’s pleasant and intriguing. He seems driven by his resentment towards Valya, holding her responsible for Griffin’s demise. Griffin was expected to be the shining star, the future of the family. Unfortunately, there isn’t much else in his life other than this consuming bitterness, which makes him an engaging character to explore.

I’m utterly captivated by the diverse personalities in this series. As a fan, it’s a treat to witness Mark Strong (Emperor Javicco Corrino) portray a character grappling with his own decisions, seeking guidance instead. It’s rare to encounter such intriguing figures like him, and Desmond Hart is another example. I can’t wait to uncover his mysteries! The abundance of compelling characters is overwhelming – it seems like there’s an entire universe filled with captivating lives just waiting to be explored. The male characters are fascinating, but the women are equally intriguing, making this a truly immersive experience. There’s so much depth and complexity in each character, providing a wealth of engaging content for viewers to savor.

A: Although it appears that Evgeny harbors a great deal of animosity towards Valya, their interactions with Tula, Valya’s younger sister, seem minimal. Is it possible that Evgeny feels the same resentment towards Tula as he does Valya?

Addy: I believe Tula’s character is subtle, making her seem almost inconspicuous compared to the boisterous young Valya. While Evgeny pays more attention to the one who stands out, it’s fascinating that Tula has the ability to blend into the background while working towards the same objective as Valya, albeit through a different approach. I suspect this is a deliberate choice in the storytelling, as Valya dominates both the spotlight and the blame. However, Tula shares an equal amount of responsibility and power, but her influence works in a more understated manner.

Lastly, Mark, you’re affectionately known as “Bobby B” by fans due to your portrayal of King Robert in Game of Thrones. How about the fans refer to Evgeny as something similar and endearing? What nickname would you prefer?

Addy: It’s got to be “Evvy H!”

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2024-12-22 18:44