Jade Anouka On Joining The Duneiverse

Dune fans, the wait is almost over: the first episode of the prequel series will launch tonight. Exploring the creation of Bene Gesserit, the series is all about sisterhood – and we sat down with one sister, Sister Theodosia, to hear all about it. Here’s what to expect from Dune: Prophecy, according to Jade Anouka.

Interview: Jade Anouka

Hi Jade, how’s life going at the moment? 

It’s good. You know, busy. My fingers in lots of pies. Also parenting my two little’uns., which is brilliant and stressful and wonderful and hard.

You can now be seen on our screens in Dune: Prophecy – can you give us an elevator pitch for the show? 

Set 10,000 years before the birth of Paul Atreides (aka Timotheé Chalamet), we go back to the birth of the sisterhood that will later become known as the Bene Gesserit. Emily Watson’s Valya Harkonnen is leader of the sisterhood – finding women from across the world to train, to be able to control their own bodies down to a molecular level, to be skilled in the art of truthsaying and be able to connect with their ancestors and one of the coolest skills the power of the Voice, in which you can command someone to do anything.

You play Sister Theodosia – how would you describe her? 

Competitive, capable and hiding an incredible secret.

What was it like playing her? How did you get into character? 

She’s very cool. Knowing her secret in the early episodes was great as none of the other sisters do, so I’m constantly playing the role that Theodosia’s playing and what’s underneath that as well.

What was your reaction when you got the role? 

Elated! I was first offered a different role that no longer exists, but Alison (the showrunner) said they’d love to have me as part of the show. She then described this new character they wanted me to play. I was like, ‘this is even better than the other!’. I’m very grateful to be part of the Dune universe now.

Did you do anything special to prepare for the role? 

We all trained in the ways of the sisterhood, so it was like we were literally in sisterhood school, learning what our characters were learning. And spending so much time together before filming helped create the realistic atmosphere of the sisterhood.

Have you read the books? What did you think? 

I haven’t. I started Sisterhood of Dune when I got the part but, honestly, it was a little dense for me. I was listening to the audiobook and then I realised my character doesn’t even feature in this. So instead, I used the extensive knowledge of our showrunner and writers to answer any questions I had about the Duneiverse.

Any standout moments from rehearsals or filming? 

So many, we had a ball! Standing in wetsuits in the 40-degree heat on the side of a cliff so the crew team could test the wind and rain machines. It looked brutal but it was sweet relief. I think the whole crew wanted to jump in, it was that hot. Teaching Emily Watson a TikTok dance while she was in full truthsayer garb one freezing night shoot, too. No, the video is not public!

Jade Anouka as Sister Theodosia in Dune: Prophecy. (HBO/Sky)

You’re also no stranger to theatre, and your one-woman show Heart has been incredibly successful. What is that like to look back on? 

Thank you! Yeah, it’s kind of amazing actually. That was my first full length play and to have had the honour of a full creative team help realise the piece and bring it to life felt very special. On top of that, the incredible Nick Herne books published the playscript too!

How does your personal preparation differ for stage vs screen? 

The rehearsal for theatre happens together with a company. Even if it’s a one person show, the stage manager and director are at least there. It feels very collaborative. For screen, a lot more of that work you have to do yourself, by yourself. There’s a lot more instinctual work going on. With theatre you have more time to figure it out, to fail, to try something else.

As the play’s creator as well as performer, how did it feel to bring your own idea to life? 

It’s an autobiographical piece, so it was pretty scary. I’ve performed my own poetry on stage before and it’s terrifying. And this was that but supercharged. You’re very vulnerable up there but when people connect to the work it’s the most incredible feeling.

Across stage and screen, what has been your favourite project to date? 

That is such a difficult question. There have been so many highs and different projects I’ve loved for different reasons. But if you were to push me for an answer, I’d say the Shakespeare Trilogy I was part of. It ended up spanning nearly six years and we performed the plays with the Donmar Warehouse in London and off Broadway at St Ann’s warehouse. I played Mark Antony in Julius Caesar, Hotspur in Henry IV and Ariel in The Tempest. It was an all-female production and they were all filmed so they still exist in the world.

Any roles in the pipeline that you’re excited about? (If you’re allowed to tell us!) 

Possible ones, cross your fingers for me please…!

Who has been your favourite actor to work with in the past? 

Again, this is almost impossible. I’ve been fortunate enough to work with some incredible actors. Harriet Walter, Sheridan Smith, Martina Laird… Jonathan Bailey is up there – definite contender for the top spot, that one.

Which co-star did you learn the most from? 

It’s a three way toss-up between Harriet Walter, Sheridan Smith and my Dune Mother, Emily Watson.

What’s your dream role? 

Spider Man, Hamlet, and all those dream roles yet to be written.

What’s a genre you’d like to do more of? 

Drama and/or superhero… Is that a genre?

Who is an actor, writer or director you’d love to work with? 

Viola Davis, Angela Bassett, Daniel Kaluuya.

How do you find balance in your personal and work lives? 

Not easily, it’s a constant shuffle and slide. I’m not really a planner but with both my wife and I being freelance artists and two kids I probably should get better at planning. I’m a go with the flow gal. Grace is the same, and if that means the whole family need to go, then so be it. Currently, they are pretty portable.

What did you want to be when you were growing up? 

I wanted to do computer aided design. I was always kind of nifty on a computer and I love creating sets, rooms, worlds!

If you could give advice to your 15-year-old self, what would it be? 

Believe in yourself, it’s OK not to be the loudest in the room, if people underestimate you that is their problem. Oh, and that guy from the boy’s school is not worth the effort. The best people will come into your life by beautifully chance encounters.

How can we all live a little bit better? 

Drink more water, eat less meat, put your phone down and look into the eyes of someone you love.

Jade Anouka Recommends…

I’m currently watching… Mr Loverman

What I’m reading… Dawn Butler’s A Purposeful Life

The last thing I watched (and loved) was… KAOS

What I’m most looking forward to seeing… Joy (about the birth of IVF)

Favourite film of all time… This is impossible… An early Meryl Streep in The River Wild? …First Do No Harm? Or Doubt — that was intense! If I’m pushed to choose one, I’ll say the original The Lion King because it changed my whole world.

Favourite song of all time… I can’t. It changes with my mood, the moon, the seasons. Today it’s ‘Gorilla’ by Little Simz

Band/singer I always have on repeat… Beyoncé

My ultimate cultural recommendation… Go to Brixton, eat Caribbean food by Original Flava at Market House, watch a gig at the O2 Academy then go for wine and cheese at Vining Street Wine Club

Cultural guilty pleasure… Any home improvement TV shows, Your Home Made Perfect and Love It Or List It being particular faves. Is that culture?

WATCH

Jade Anouka stars in Dune: Prophecy. Episode 1 is streaming now on NOW, with new episodes arriving weekly. now.com