Jodhi May On Empress Natalya’s ‘Very Unexpected’ Character Arc

Dune: Prophecy is finally here, transporting us far into the future – but 10,000 years before the events of Dune (2021). Delving into the formation of the universe’s legendary sisterhood, Bene Gesserit, in a land ruled by Emperor Javicco Corrino (Mark Strong) and Empress Natalya (Jodhi May). We sat down with Jodhi to get the inside scoop on filming.

Photography: David Reiss
Styling: Harriet Nicolson
Hair: Narad Kutowaroo
Make-Up: Florrie White

Interview: Jodhi May

Hi Jodhi, thanks for talking to us today. You can currently be seen in the highly anticipated Dune: Prophecy. Congratulations! Can you give us an elevator pitch for the show?

The Handmaid’s Tale meets The Sopranos in space.

You play Empress Natalya – how would you describe her?

Empress Natalia is a really interesting character because she’s not at all what meets the eye. She’s a bit of a dark horse, and she plays her cards very close to her chest. And the way that she evolves throughout the series – which obviously I can’t really discuss, top secret! – is very, very unexpected.

How did you get into character? 

Getting into character for this was really interesting, because there’s so much out there in the Dune universe mythology. Whilst that is so incredible and rich and fascinating, as an actor, sometimes you just have to start with a blank slate in order to make your character feel real and truthful. So for me, the touchstone for Empress Natalia was really going back to medieval queens who were often the power behind the throne and sometimes had to pawn their jewelry, for example, to go and raise an army and do the work that their husband couldn’t do when he was indisposed. So it was really sort of the women of medieval history.

Did you do anything special to prepare for the role?

There’s something quite interesting in Empress Natalya’s body language that was quite helpful for me. Some of her costumes have an aspect to them that’s a little bit like chain mail armor. We also have this moment where Natalya gives her daughter this chain mail mask. There was something that was deeply fascinating about this woman that had this idea of power and strength that was very much invested in being a warrior as a leader. So that was really rich territory for me to mine, I think.

Jodhi May as Empress Natalya Arat Corrino in Dune: Prophecy. (HBO/Sky)

What is Natalya’s character arc like? And how did it feel to get to grips with?

It’s really difficult to describe her character arc without giving away lots of spoilers, so I will try to be enigmatic about that. I would say it’s almost like she starts off as a bit of a frustrated housewife, and then we see how she copes with that situation in a very unexpected way. And what I love about Alison [Schapker]’s writing is that she really does write these incredibly ballsy women. And as an actor, especially beyond the age of 40, that’s so much-needed, and it’s such a joy to play these characters who are slightly gangster-ish in their own way.

Is there anything you discovered about Natalya during filming that surprised you?

I think that the writing always keeps us guessing, so yes, there was a lot that surprised me as the series goes on. And, you know, we don’t always see those episodes because everything’s very much kept under wraps in the writers’ room. So I would say there’s a huge amount that’s really surprising about Empress Natalya, but I couldn’t possibly say anymore, or I would have to kill you.

Were you a Dune fan before you got the part?

Yes, in the sense that I had seen the David Lynch film [Dune (1984)] at an inappropriately young age and thought it was the most extraordinary film. It was just breathtaking on every level. So it had a really strong hold on my imagination. And I loved the Denis Villeneuve films [Dune (2021) and Dune: Part Two (2024)]: the whole sense of mysticism and the desert sequences I just found quite extraordinary, actually. So I was really thrilled and honored to be part of this Dune universe.

Any standout moments from rehearsals or filming?

Gosh, yeah. I mean, there were some really funny moments, but I think, ultimately, what was really rewarding for me was to have a scene partner like Mark Strong. We both brought a lot from our theatre background, we’ve both done a lot of Chekov, and I think there’s something about the relationship between the Emperor and the Empress that is really interesting to explore when you have two actors who can bring that kind of theatre background to it. So that would be the standout memory for me: having an absolute consummate professional gent and brilliant actor to have all my scenes with was an absolute joy.

Jodhi May as Empress Natalya Arat Corrino & Mark Strong as Emperor Javicco Corrino in Dune: Prophecy. (HBO/Sky)

What was the cast dynamic on set? 

A lot of my scenes were also with Sarah Sophie, who plays my daughter, and I think that really gives us a fascinating mother daughter relationship. The cast dynamic or the tone was really set by Emily [Watson], who obviously is the most extraordinary actor. She’s one of my acting heroes. What she brings to this is just an absolute sense of integrity, but she also makes it a drama. It doesn’t feel like conventional sci-fi. She gives it a really human aspect. And I think we all really took that as a touchstone for tone.

What has been your favourite project to date?

I really loved working with Peter Brook. I did a production of Far Away by Carol Churchill in Paris when I was in my early 20s, which was entirely in French, and he was the most extraordinary teacher. Also working with Terence Davies on The House of Mirth and A Quiet Passion. He sadly passed away last year, and he was one of the most extraordinary directors I’ve worked with. So I think I’ve been very lucky.

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

I do, but I’m not really allowed to talk about it at this stage. So yeah, that’s a really frustratingly brief answer!

You’ve had such a long-spanning career already. What do you look for in the projects you take on?

It’s really all about the writing. As an actor, you’re only as good as what’s on the page, so it’s really all about being able to work with writing that you feel stands up, and with directors who you feel are really going to challenge you – and on roles that challenge you. For me, what’s exciting is if I feel that I’m possibly going to be a little bit out of my depth, or it’s something that I haven’t explored before as an actor, or that I’m going to be working with a director who I really admire and who has such integrity – like Steve McQueen, who I worked with on Small Axe. And also writing like Jimmy McGovern’s, who I’ve worked with a lot, who really speaks truth to power. I think when you feel that you can be part of a project like that, you feel that you’re making a difference somehow, as an actor, in the small way that you can.

What’s your dream role?

There are aspects of Empress Natalya that are not unlike Medea in Euripides’ play. It’s a play that I saw directed by Peter Stein many years ago, who I worked with as well, and was completely blown away by. There have been so many different versions. It’d be really interesting to take on something like that.

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

I don’t really think in terms of genre. I really think it’s about, you know, does a part speak to you? Does a script speak to you? Do you feel you’re going to be pushed as an actor? I think that’s what guides me.

Photography: David Reiss
Styling: Harriet Nicolson
Hair: Narad Kutowaroo
Make-Up: Florrie White

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

I was in deep admiration of Daniel Day Lewis before I worked with him – and working with him as well. He was an incredibly kind soul and very down to earth and humble, as well as just being the most genius actor, very caring and he set the most brilliant example. He’s the kind of actor who really elevates your own performance. And also Ralph Fiennes who I worked with on The Talking Cure at the National Theatre, Christopher Hampton’s play. I think all the best actors just raise your game, make you even better and are so generous.

Which co-star did you learn the most from in Dune: Prophecy?

Emily is just an extraordinary actor, and she really creates a real sense of family. She brings all her incredible years of experience working with brilliant directors on brilliant writing. So it’s been a real joy working with her. And yeah, as a female actor, creating a sense of family and setting the best example, you couldn’t really get much better than that.

Away from Dune, I worked with Michael Gambon, who has sadly passed away, when I was in my early 20s, and he told me that I should do theatre. I learned a huge amount from doing theatre, and will always be grateful to him for that. 

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

There are lots. Gosh, that’s a really difficult answer. I would have loved to have worked with [Federico] Fellini if he was still alive. Also Agnes Varda, who was an extraordinary French female director. Now, there are so many. Paul Thomas Anderson who made There Will Be Blood… It’s like asking an actor for a shopping list! We could be here all day. But yeah, those are just a few.

WATCH

Jodhi May stars as Empress Natalya in Dune: Prophecy. Episode 1 is streaming now on NOW, with new episodes arriving weekly on Mondays. nowtv.com