We spoke with Shalom Brune-Franklin who plays sister Mikaela in “Dune: Prophecy.” Shalom Brune-Franklin discusses the many layers to her character and what it was like joining such an iconic world. She is very passionate about her character. Also, she can’t wait to share with the audience all of the layers and secrets she is keeping.

Discussing “Dune: Prophecy” Episode 2 with Shalom Brune-Franklin

Episode 2 had a lot of twists and turns. Audiences dealt with yet another death when Lila decided to go through The Agony. Not only is Mikaela a member of the rebellion, but Valya also put her there. Mikaela has been the guiding hand of the rebellion and the one orchestrating attacks on Aarrakis. She also reveals a bit of her own agenda when she tells Valya that the first member of the rebellion that she should kill is Keiran Atreides.

Though we didn’t get to see a lot of Mikaela in this episode, it was revealed that she is a much bigger player in this world than we originally thought. We are sure to see more of her as this story continues to unfold.

This episode really revealed that Mikaela seems to have some personal issue with sword master Atreides, but it is a little unclear as to where that was coming from.

Shalom says:

It comes across as I just absolutely hate him. Chris has literally been giving me so much shit as well since the episodes he’s watched them. He’s like, I didn’t realize how annoying you are. You are awful to me. You literally served my name up on a platter and then come back to me and tell me that I better keep my head straight and not fall in love. Like the audacity of Mikaela. Do you know what? Can you imagine how difficult it is to set up a rebellion and keep it simmering at the perfect level, so that it can continue to be used by Valya to have a stronghold on Kirino? Like it’s a hard job, and this guy potentially is going to blow it all up by falling in love. Come on, there’s no time for that. Just keep it in your pants, mate. Like. Come on.

Mikaela’s character goes through so many changes in the short amount of screen time that she’s had in this last 2 episodes. Shalom talks about how much she got to know before filming started.

So when we actually got episodes 1 to 5, so I got all of them straight away. And I remember I just sat there and absolutely sped through them. They were awesome. And I, I remember I actually had a meeting with Allison before and she said, you’re going to read episode one, but I just want you to know, like before you’re going to read one first before you get 2 to 5. There’s so much to come. Then she is like an onion. We’re just going to keep peeling back the layers. And just when you think she’s one thing, something else is going to happen. And I’m like, okay, cool. I’m intrigued. And, because you don’t really know from episode one. So I remember as soon as I read two or going, oh my gosh, I was just so excited to be a part of the sisterhood because come on, it’s like the coolest part. And then on top of that, there’s this internal struggle as well with, like dealing with, you know, everything that’s going on with Valya and Desmond and, and is she making the right choices and do I fully support like a lot of the sisters are going through that, you know.

Mikaela has been manipulating things from the shadows, but she seems to want more. We talk about Mikaela’s need to have some outside recognition. Shalom goes on to say:

I think Mikayla she, she sort of makes a comment to Valya, which alludes to to being a little, under the, you know, what’s the word? A little frustrated with having to be in the shadows, you know, that she she she says that she idolized Kasha and in the way that she got to stand next to the most powerful person in the Imperium, you know, and that that glory. I think, you know, Mikaela is always kind of going, oh, like, that’s what I thought I would be doing when I joined the sisterhood. And instead I’m stuck in some bar and I’m having to quietly work, and nobody knows that I’m doing all this cool stuff, and I’m orchestrating all these amazing attacks and I’m I’m having a huge effect on on the worlds right now on the Imperium, and nobody knows it’s me. It’s kind of like, I want the glory. I want, you know? But but she has values, recognition. And that should be enough, you know? But it’s it’s definitely a, a little internal battle with herself, I think.

The success of the “Dune” films really catapulted this property into the mainstream. That can be very daunting for the creative team of any spin-off project. Shalom Brune-Franklin talks about what its like stepping into such an iconic universe.

Yeah. So overwhelming. It’s kind of scary. You like, especially because I didn’t know too much about it before. I, you know, my brother is a huge sci fi fan and my granddad and him, that was their thing. And so my granddad, if he were here today, he would absolutely be obsessed with the show. He’d be so proud. But it’s it, it’s really at first it was quite scary because you, you want to do it justice and you want to do it right. And, and I think ultimately all you can do as an actor is just go in there and fight for your character and really do your part of the world justice and go for it. And I think I’m really, really proud of what what, you know, I’ve, I’ve done in, in my section of the show, I guess, but it it’s overwhelming. It’s crazy, but it’s also incredible. Like, I didn’t realize how much passion there was, like how much people just love this and get into it and like debate over stuff. And it’s just so cool. It’s it’s so interesting working on a show like this, because it’s so different to any other show that I’ve been a part of, because when you make a show, normally you’re going, God, I hope people watch this, whereas I’ve never stepped into a show and gone, no, it’s it’s almost like a prerequisite that loads of people are going to watch this. It’s actually about is it going to be what people expect or what people want, or is it going to live up to this expectation? It’s its the total opposite. It’s really quite scary.

So much of this story happens in isolation. Each character seems to be operating in their own world, away from everyone else. Shalom talks about the curiosity that comes with not knowing what else is going on outside of her mission.

I think she, she stays up to date. They’re also interconnected and they’re all sort of whispering to each other. So there’s she knows what’s going on. And she probably does feel a little alone, you know, stuck in her, in her world. But there’s so much for her to, keep up, really, for Valya. And so there’s that sense of duty as well, to make sure that she pulls her weight and to make sure that she doesn’t miss anything and doesn’t let anything slip through her grasp, because any mistake that she makes really will have such detrimental, devastating effects to Valya’s plan. And I think the idea of the wrath of failure is not something I want to experience personally. Me, Shalom, and Mikaela.

The death of Lila is sure to have some consequences, for more then just the sisterhood. Mikaela might be on her own mission, but Shalom talks about how, if at all, Lila’s death will affect her plans.

I think it’s like you said before, it’s really interesting because she hasn’t been there and because she probably doesn’t have much of a relationship. I think she really trusts and believes that Valya made the right call and that in order to be able to speak to her, that was what was needed to be done. And I think because she isn’t on the ground, like Jen or Emeline, who are there seeing it, who have a relationship with this young girl, are seeing, you know, I think when you read about something or hear it through somebody else, it’s very different. You don’t feel as affected as if you know the person or if you’re involved with that person day to day. So I don’t I’m not sure that that has too much of an effect on her belief in the plan.

“Dune: Prophecy” is currently streaming on Max. The first two episodes are out now and the rest of the six episodes will be released every Sunday at 9PM EST. Tune in to watch Shalom Brune-Franklin as Mikaela and the many plans of Valya unfold. The last episode airs on December 21st.