“Dune” is a vast, expansive and complicated sci-fi epic – and it’s only half the story. Director Denis Villeneuve’s film is finally playing in theaters and streaming on HBO Max, which means audiences the world over are able to be transported to the world of author Frank Herbert’s “Dune.” That also means introducing audiences to a host of new characters and worlds, and given the large ensemble cast, singling out who’s who can get confusing.
So we’re here to help. Below is a complete guide to all the “Dune” characters in the film, how they fit into the story, and who plays each.
Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides
The heir of House Atreides follows his family to the dangerous desert planet Arrakis, where they are tasked with overseeing the refinement of spice – a highly valuable material native to the planet and coveted by the entire known universe.
Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica
Paul’s mother is Lady Jessica, who is a member of the Bene Gesserit – an exclusively female group of humans with advanced mental and physical capabilities who wield tremendous political influence from the shadows. She is partner and concubine to Paul’s father, Duke Leto.
Oscar Isaac as Duke Leto Atreides
The patriarch of House Atreides is Leto Atreides, who is tasked with overseeing the running of Arrakis by the Empire. Smart and capable, he senses danger in his family’s new assignment.
Josh Brolin as Gurney Halleck
The weapons master of House Atreides is one of Paul’s mentors and teaches him how to wield weapons. He is deadly serious.
Stephen McKinley Henderson as Thufir Hawat
The Mentat to House Atreides, a mentat is a specific type of human taught to mimic the thought processes and capabilities of computers and artificial intelligence. He is a wise guide for House Atreides’ actions.
Jason Momoa as Duncan Idaho
Silly name, excellent character. Duncan Idaho is the swordmaster of House Atreides and one of Paul’s closest friends and mentors. He is sent to Arrakis first to gain the trust of the Fremen.
Javier Bardem as Stilgar
The leader of the Fremen, a tribe native to Arrakis who live in the desert and resent outlanders who come in and take their spice.
Zendaya as Chani
A young Fremen woman who appears frequently in Paul’s dreams, which he suspects are premonitions.
Stellan Skarsgård as Baron Vladimir Harkonnen
The Baron of House Harkonnen, which ruled Arrakis for 80 years and reaped the benefits of spice production before being forced out by the Empire. Baron Harkonnen aims to return to Arrakis and seize back control from House Atreides by any means necessary.
Dave Bautista as Glossu Rabban
The nephew of Baron Harkonnen is an imposing warrior.
David Dastmalchian
The Mentat of House Harkonnen.
Charlotte Rampling as Gaius Helen Mohiam
The Reverend Mother of the Bene Gesserit who mentored Lady Jessica and serves as the Emperor’s Truthsayer, with the ability to discover when people are lying.
“Dune” is now playing in theaters, IMAX and streaming on HBO Max.
