‘Dune: Prophecy’ Star Tabu on Sister Francesca Role: ‘Every Scene of Mine Was Beautiful to Play’

As a fan and admirer of the captivating world of cinema, I find myself utterly enthralled by the remarkable journey of Tabu, a versatile actress who has graced screens across the globe. Her latest role as Sister Francesca in “Dune: Prophecy” is nothing short of mesmerizing, demonstrating her ability to effortlessly slip into various characters and bring them to life.

In Max’s “Dune: Prophecy” prequel series, the renowned Indian actor Tabu takes on a crucial part, portraying Sister Francesca in the last couple of episodes.

The “Sisterhood of Dune” series, penned by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson, is based 10,000 years prior to the occurrences in “Dune”. It narrates the story of two Harkonnen sisters who fight against forces that endanger humanity’s future, all while laying the groundwork for what will eventually evolve into the Bene Gesserit order.

Alison Schapker takes on both the role of showrunner and executive producer, while Diane Ademu-John collaborates as a co-developer and executive producer on the series. Anna Foerster assumes the roles of executive producer and director for various episodes.

The opportunity for the role landed on Tabu, an actress known for her work in films such as Mira Nair’s “The Namesake” (2006), “A Suitable Boy” (2020), and Ang Lee’s “Life of Pi” (2012), in a straightforward manner.

Tabu shares with EbMaster that one day she received an email from both her agents and managers, informing her that the showrunners and directors on a particular show wanted to cast her for a specific role. After reading over two scenes from the script, she attended a Zoom meeting the next day where the creative team explained her character’s role in the final episodes. Excited by the character and the possibilities it presented, she felt that this was a perfect fit for her and something she would thoroughly enjoy working on.

In Budapest, this project marked several firsts for the actor. As he explains, “I believe it’s the first time in my career, or at least the last 20 years or so, that I was working with people I hadn’t met before, who hadn’t worked with me before, and in a location I had never visited.” (Tabu)

Sister Francesca’s character spans across two different timeframes, with Charithra Chandran from “Bridgerton” portraying her younger self. As Tabu explains, “They were very careful about us meeting so she could absorb something.” “In these encounters,” she continues, “you never know what might transpire as you draw inspiration from each other since you’re both embodying the same character.

She found it very pleasant to attend that meeting since she’s both acquainted with my projects and shares a similar cultural background as an Indian native. This made for an easy connection, and her introduction felt authentic and seamless.

When constructing the character of Francesca for Tabu, there were certain aspects that needed careful attention. “I was mindful of the realm where Francesca resides,” Tabu explains. “My aim was to make her seem like she’s a part of the Bene Gesserit world, yet at the same time, she has such a powerful personality and unique narrative that isn’t linked to the others or other characters. It was intriguing to balance these two elements.

The actor expressed that many elements of the role captivated them deeply. “Each scene for me was delightful to perform,” they shared. “I had captivating lines to deliver. My scenes with the Emperor [Mark Strong] were particularly memorable, as well as those with Constantine [Josh Heuston], my son.” They added, “The role’s foundation was incredibly powerful, providing a solid base for character development. Additionally, the intrigue lay in the romantic connection I was to share with the Emperor. This aspect gave my character its own unique dimensions and depth to delve into.

Additionally, donning that attire, including the veil, and appearing unique with a different look compared to my previous self – I’ve never experienced anything like it before. It’s quite a striking appearance,” she notes.

In a production setting, where women held significant creative roles, made an indelible impact on Tabu. She describes these women as “women of substance,” confident and experienced, with extensive work behind them. They gave her a sense of security, assurance that they were in control, she said. She felt safeguarded and cared for by their expertise.

Tabu not only provided a taste of her homeland but also supplied Indian food to the set for Josh and everyone else. She had a restaurant in Budapest that would send meals to the set, including lunch and dinner. We’d eat these outside our trailers. Tabu explained, “Besides that… I brought myself, my homeland, my home, and my work from India with me. So it was like an all-in-one package.

2024 saw Tabu achieve success with the female-centric caper comedy “Crew” within the realm of Bollywood. In the upcoming year, she’ll be gracing the screen in filmmaker Priyadarshan’s blend of horror and comedy titled “Bhooth Bangla.” Filming for this project will commence soon. Notably, her last venture into this genre, “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2,” was among the most successful Bollywood productions in 2022.

2024-12-23 06:47

‘Dune: Prophecy’ Star Tabu on Sister Francesca Role: ‘Every Scene of Mine Was Beautiful to Play’

Read More

Minority Mindset