The cast of SciFi Channel's miniseries hit, Dune, return in Frank Herbert's sequel, Children of Dune. Fans of this remarkable science fiction series will wonder what happened to book number two, Dune Messiah , but I am guessing film makers have made the same decision as producers of the Anne Rice Vampire Chronicles ... the second novel was not interesting enough for nonreaders. Yet combined elements would make for an epic "part two" for the screen. Personally, I believe this is a mistake and moreover a lack of skill on the parts of the screenplay adaptation and producing executives. Anyone who has seen Queen of the Damned can explain why this should NEVER be done to such classic novel series. However, the film makers of Children of Dune had a very serious problem to overcome ... cable television's version of Dune earned two emmys in 2000, and became the most watched program in SciFi Channel's history. Reputations were at stake for an equally impressive follow-up. And unlike the film sequel to Interview with the Vampire, I believe this one will be successful as the first, if not more.

The young empire inheritor, Paul Atreides, has grown into a father to twins, Leto II and Ghanima. And it may be left to these two to bring balance to an ever unstable universe. Paul's bizarre younger sister has become erratic, the other two houses Corrino and Harkonnen still fuming over their loses over Arrakis. And of course, the Bene Gesserit Sisters and Space Guild all want to see their visions of power restored, as well. What's a Maud'dib to do ... sigh.

Dune itself was a complex story, even for devotees of pure science fiction, and the follow-up is even more so. With expanded Bloodlines and varying subplots of treachery and betrayal, this unique tale would make even a Roman Emperor shudder. Fortunately, for newcomers to the world of Dune, SciFi Channel is airing a half hour preview of the mini series. Aptly titled, Women of Dune , the program features Susan Sarandon and other female cast members to provide the backdrop to the upcoming sequel. If you have never read the novels by Frank Herbert, I would highly recommend catching this preview. If nothing else, watch it to grab a sneak peek:

March 10th, at 11pm
March 11th at 7 and 10pm
March 15 at 11pm
March 16 at 9am

While much of the cast return to the world of spice, several characters are replaced or make their first appearance in the story: Susan Sarandon (The Witches of Eastwood and cult classic, The Rocky Horror Picture Show) plays the treacherous oldest daughter, Princess Wensicia of the now deposed Emperor Shaddam IV (Giancarlo Giannini) of the House Corrino. She will do anything to help her son, Farad'N (newcomer Jonathan Bruun), restore the House Corrino to rule the universe once more. However, she will also have opposition within her own House by her younger sister, Irulan (Julie Cox), who is also wife in name only to Paul Atreides. The tragic Princess Irulan wants to protect Paul's children, even though they are not her own.

• Alice Krige (one of my favs from Ghost Story, Sleepwalkers, infamous Borg Queen in Star Trek and Reign of Fire) takes over the role of Lady Jessica of the House Atreides, wife of the murdered Duke Leto (William Hurt), daughter of the sinister Baron Vladimir (Ian McNeice) of the House Harkonnen and mother to Paul aka Maud'dib (Alec Newman) and now grown "pre-born" Alia (German actress Daniela Amavia). She returns to the desert planet, Arrakis, to visit her children and more importantly protect her grandchildren from forces outside and within her own family.
• Edward Atterton (Arthur from mini series epic, The Mists of Avalon) plays the now cloned ghola, Duncan Idaho. Originally killed by the House Harkonnen during the attempted coup of the spice, he was once Paul's best friend and mentor. Given as a gift by the ancient Spacing Guild to the new ruler, the clone of Duncan has no memory of his past life, only a hidden desire to assassinate Paul Atreidres. The ghola clones are another product of the mysterious cabal, Tleilaxu, whose bizarre experiments also produced the "human computer" mentat assassin, Dr. Yueh, in the first Dune, and the equally dangerous "shape shifter" face dancers.
• Lastly, the twin "pre-borns" Leto II (James McAvoy) and Ghanima (Jessica Brooks) of Paul Atreides and his fremen mistress, Chani (Barbora Kodetova), are the last hopes for holding the Dune universe together. Leto, named in honor of his grandfather and murdered infant brother, must bring his father-turned-god back down to humanity to set them all on the "Golden Path" of true enlightenment. While his sister, Ghanima, may be humanity's last line of defense to achieve it's ultimate destiny.

If all that didn't seem confusing enough, the other ancient - Bene Gesserit religious sect are deeply concerned for their 10,000 year old breeding of the "supreme human being" has failed. Paul has turned into something quite different, and Alia, like fellow pre-born's Leto II and Ghanima, is considered an "abomination" - a child born with mind of adult, a soul which may be possessed by it's ancestors ... and the last thing the universe needs now is a reincarnated terror, such as the Baron Harkonnen. And, of course, there is the spice planet itself, Arrakis aka Dune, home to the giant Sandworms and native Fremen. Being swallowed up whole by the giant worms is the least of the planet's worries, as the tribal Fremen are being split apart into fanatical followers of their chosen messiah, the Qizarate, and the "cast out" tribe of ancient water thieves, the Jacarutu.

The emmy award winning 6 hour Dune airs Sunday afternoon on the SciFi Channel, prior to Part One of the Children of Dune mini epic:

Dune (part one) 3pm, March 16th
Dune (part two) 5pm, March 16th
Dune (part three) 7pm, March 16th

The Epic Mini Series Children of Dune airs March 16th, 17th and 18th at 9pm

For a thorough explanation of cast, characters and stories, the home page for Children of Dune has it all (to fully grasp the potential of this adaptation, be sure to view the exclusive online trailer "Inheritance" ... it blew me away):

http://scifi.com/dune/