Summary
Capable of tracing its roots back to Greek mythology, House Atreides is one of the central factions in Frank Herbert’sDunesaga. Both Herbert’s novel and Denis Villeneuve’s 2021 adaptation show the Atreides receiving the poisoned chalice of stewardship of Arrakis, a barren world that isof great economic importance. Villeneuve’s 2024 sequel proves that House Atreides is a key player in galactic politics even after suffering an ignoble betrayal.
Yet the strength of House Atreides lies not only in the family itself, but also in the coterie of advisors, mentors, and allies that surround the family. From Paul Atreides himself to the traitorous Wellington Yeuh, one thing about House Atreides is clear—it is a force to be reckoned with.
8Wellington Yueh
Doctor Turned Traitor
Wellington Yueh was a medical professional and the personal physician of Duke Leto Atreides prior to the Harkonnen attack on Arrakis. As a graduate of the esteemed Suk Medical School, Yueh was at the forefront of his field. However, subversion of his training bythe fiendish Harkonnen Peter de Vriesforced Yueh to break his Hippocratic oath and betray House Atreides.
Yueh hoped that aiding the Atreides' enemies would cause them to reunite him with his kidnapped wife, but the Harkonnens had no intention of honoring the bargain. Nonetheless, Yueh was able to enact revenge of sorts against his tormentors: he equipped Leto Atreides with a poison capsule for use against Baron Harkonnen. While the assassination attempt missed its target, it did result in the death of de Vries, the ultimate architect of Yueh’s downfall.
7Thufir Hawat
A Human Supercomputer
The universe ofDuneis home to many strange and wonderful things, from massive sandworms to technology that blur the line between science and fantasy. Yet perhaps Herbert’s most interesting innovation was the concept of Mentats, human computers designed to replace “thinking machines” followinga catastrophic war against artificial intelligence.
While this so-called Butlerian Jihad took place long before the events ofDune, its ramifications are made clear by the character of Thufir Hawat. As a Mentat, Hawat was capable of impressive feats of mental calculation and strategic planning. Due to Hawat’s vast intellect, he was an important advisor to House Atreides and was also responsible for ensuring its safety and security. Unfortunately, his skills were not sufficient to prevent a joint Harkonnen–Sardaukar assault upon Arrakis.
6Alia Atreides
Precocious And Powerful
Villeneueve’s double-bill adaptation takes some liberties with Herbert’s original narrative, but the most glaring may beDune: Part Two’streatment of Alia Atreides. Although the youngest member of House Atreides played a vital role in the novel (notably killing her own grandfather, Baron Harkonnen), Villeneuve shifts this act of vengeance onto Alia’s older brother, Paul. This makes sense, as Villeneuve’s movies are very much a Bildungsroman for Paul, so having him personally avenge his father’s death is only fitting.
An adult Alia appears briefly in a vision being experienced by Paul inDune: Part Two. Given that a third installment in Villeneuve’s adaptation has now been greenlit, it’s likely that Alia will follow the same pattern that Zendaya’s Chani did in the first two films: her limited screen-time in her debut is likely to lay the foundation for a major role in the future.
5Duncan Idaho
Swordmaster And Adventurer
Duncan Idaho wasa talented fighter and loyal companionof House Atreides prior to his death at the hands of Sardaukar troops. He played an instrumental role in protecting both Jessica Atreides and her son Paul from their enemies following the fall of House Atreides. Indeed, although his efforts proved fatal, Duncan refused to go down without a fight: he killed over a dozen of the elite soldiers before being overcome.
Nor could death stand in the way of Duncan, as Herbert’s later novels saw him return as a ghola, a clone with vague memories of his prior life. As such, there’s a chance that Jason Momoa will appear in future Villeneuve adaptations.
4Gurney Halleck
The Duke’s Right-Hand Man
Gurney Halleck wasa vital teacher and advisorto House Atreides thanks to his skill as a warrior. He was even capable of besting the elite Sardaukar in hand-to-hand combat, demonstrating his prowess. However, although a hardened soldier, Gurney also had a more sensitive side, as he was a talented musician.
Gurney was not only a crucial ally to Duke Leto, but also to Leto’s son, Paul. Gurney survived the Harkonnen attack on Arrakis and later reunited with Paul, whom he was able to provide with a vital resource: the Atreides' atomics. These weapons allowed Paul to effectively hold the planet and its vital spice ransom, asserting his dominance over the Imperium.
3Leto Atreides
Despite hailing from the planet of Caladan, Duke Leto Atreides I was one of the most important players in the fight for control of Arrakis.Leto was given controlover the spice-producing world by the Emperor; although this increased the standing of House Atreides, it also painted a target on their backs. Leto was aware of the danger but chose to face the challenge regardless. Unfortunately, his bravery would result in his death during a Harkonnen attack on the planet.
Although he met an ignoble end, Leto was remembered as a fair and honest leader who always treated his subjects honorably. As such, it’s unsurprising that he earned the nickname of Leto the Just. While House Atreides would achieve great power under Leto’s son, Paul, Leto was nonetheless one of its most esteemed members.
2Jessica Atreides
Reverend Mother Of The Fremen
While Lady Jessica Atreides was initially notable forbeing the official concubineof Duke Leto Atreides (and the mother of their child, Paul Atreides), she would grow to become a central figure in Bene Gesserit religious politics. As Reverend Mother of the Fremen, Jessica played an important role in convincing the desert dwellers to ally themselves with her son in his fight to reclaim Arrakis from the Harkonnens.
Unbeknownst to Duke Leto, Jessica was in fact the daughter of Baron Vladimir Harkonnen. This deception was part of a Bene Gesserit breeding program designed to create a messiah figure by reconciling the feuding houses. However, Jessica subverted the plan by giving birth to a son instead of a daughter, thus laying the groundwork for Paul Atreides' rise to power.
1Paul Atreides
The Family’s Last Best Hope
Paul Atreides was one of the few survivors of the Harkonnen attack on Arrakis but was able to earn the respect ofthe planet’s native Fremen. In doing so, he assembled an army that would allow him to retake the vital planet, striking a blow against the state that had plotted to assassinate Paul’s father, Duke Leto Atreides. Paul’s cunning was no doubt partly attributable to his secret Harkonnen ancestry.
Yet Paul is not only a key player in the story of House Atreides but in the fate of the universe as a whole. The climax ofDune: Part Twosees him effectively declare war on the rest of humanity, kickstarting a cataclysmic conflict that will no doubt play out in any future installments of Herbert and Villeneuve’s critically acclaimed franchise.
