WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for the Season 1 finale of Dune: Prophecy.
After the death of Emperor Javicco Corrino in Dune: Prophecy season 1 finale, a new emperor will likely come to power in the upcoming season 2. Dune: Prophecy is a six-part series based on the 2012 novel Dune Brotherhoodwhich was written by the original Dune son of author Frank Herbert, Brian, and Kevin J. Anderson. The story takes place more than 10,000 years before the rise of Paul Atreidies, narrated in the book by Denis Villenueve. Dune (2020) and Dune: Part Two (2024). Dune: Prophecy reveals the origins of the powerful shadow brotherhood known as the Bene Gesserit and how they manipulated the destiny of humanity.
Dune: Prophecy episode 1 “The Hidden Hand” introduced Valya Harkonnen, a fierce and calculated leader, and her biological sister, Tula Harkonnen. Dune: Prophecy episode 2 reveals what happened to Lila and her grandmother, Reverend Mother Dorotea, after Tula and Valya encouraged her to endure the Agony. In Dune: Prophecy episode 3, Tula takes Lila's life into her own hands after she apparently died during the Agony ritual and attempts to resurrect her through the use of forbidden technology. Episode 4 reveals that Lila was resurrected through the Thinking Machine, Anirul. Episode 5 shows Desmond Hart's rise to power, while episode 6 shows Tula reconnecting with her abandoned half-Atreides son, Desmond Hart.
A new emperor is needed after Javicco's death in Dune: Prophecy Episode 6
Javicco ended his own reign after discovering his impotence
Image via Max
One of the biggest surprise twists in the Dune: Prophecy The ending of Season 1 is that Emperor Javicco Corrino turned his own blade against himself, which resulted in his death. He discovers that Valya Harkonnen and the Brotherhood orchestrated his entire life and rise to power, realizing that he never knew “a true moment of freedom”. This disturbing revelation forces Javicco to confront his own powerlessness within his apparent dominance, which fiercely shatters his sense of control and his real self-image. This, combined with the revelation that Sister Francesca was sent to kill him, forces Javicco to inspire his own death.
Javicco may not have taken his own life in Dune: Prophecy end of season 1 if he hadn't discovered that Francesca imprinted on him, meaning he could never hurt her. As he can no longer trust Francesca and the Brotherhood, he realizes in that moment how powerless he is in all of this and how his throne is nothing more than an inflated title. He was only Emperor because Valya and the Brotherhood wanted him to be, which is no longer the case. Francesca confesses everything and reveals that Valya planned for her to kill Javicco, but this is not enough to convince Javicco that he can do anything to protect himself in the long run.
Ynez is technically the heir to the throne
She fled to Arrakis with Kerian and Valya
Princess Ynez was the heir to the Emperor's throne and was Valya's handpicked choice to replace Javicco when the time came. However, Empress Natalya still clings to the throne even after Javicco's death, especially after having killed Francesca, which must also have been one of the viable options that Valya had foreseen. With Javicco and Francesca dead at the end of Dune: Prophecy Season 1, Empress Natalya maintains her power over the Empire. Based on his newfound alliance with Desmond Hart, it is quite possible that he will become the new emperorwhich would cause enormous problems for the Brotherhood.
Based on what happened to Princess Ynez in Dune: Prophecy season 1 finale, it's unlikely that Empress Natalya will welcome her back to her position of power. Natalya arrested Ynez after trying to free Keiran Atredies. Season 1 ends with Kerian, Ynez and Valya arriving on the planet Dune Arrakis, where Constantine is supposedly on his way to oversee spice production. This was brought into play by Valya and Francesca in Dune: Prophecy season 5. Constantine exposed Keiran as a rebel insurgent in the first place, which likely means he and Ynez will be on opposite sides of the conflict in Dune: Prophecy 2nd season.
How long does House Corrino maintain the role of emperor in dune lore
Dune: Prophecy marks the beginning of House Corrino's 10,000-year reign
According to Dune tradition, Dune: Prophecy marked the relative beginning of House Corrino's 10,000-year rule over the Empire. This strongly suggests that House Corrino will retain its ruler for the entire Dune: Prophecy Season 2 and that either Constantine or Ynez will eventually come to power, depending on what happens with Natalya. The real key to determining all of this will be which path Desmond Hart chooses to take next season. Dune: Prophecy now that he has reconnected with his mother, Tula, in a way. While Tula remains in Imperial custody, Desmond may change his mind, even if he becomes Emperor in Season 2.