Francesca

This article refers to elements that only appear in the cinematic universe established with Dune (2021).

Francesca
Political Information
Titles	Sister
Affiliation and Relationships
Loyalty	Bene Gesserit
Family members	Constantine Corrino (son)
Romances	Javicco Corrino (lover) †
Physical Characteristics
Eyes	Brown
Hair	Black
Height	5 feet 6.75 inches (170 cm)
Behind the Scenes
First appearance	The Hidden Hand
Last appearance	The High-Handed Enemy
Portrayed by	Tabu Charithra Chandran (young)

Sister Francesca was a strong, intelligent and alluring member of the Bene Gesserit who left a lasting impression in her wake. Once a great love of Emperor Javicco Corrino, her return to the Imperial Opal Palace strained the balance of power in Corrinth City.

Biography

Francesca trained as an acolyte alongside Valya Harkonnen and Kasha Jinjo. When Dorotea singled Valya out as being uncommitted, Francesca and Kasha told her that wasn't fair. Then the time came for them to take their vows. They had to stand out in the rain until they were ready to put Sisterhood Above All. Francesca was one of the last to make this vow. When Dorotea and Valya's rivalry caused a division in the sisterhood, with everyone choosing a side, Valya told Francesca and Kasha that Raquella was going to name her the next Mother Superior. However, before she did that, she wanted them both to undergo the Agony test. Dorotea was ready for that, while Valya chose to run away.

After their Mother Superior Raquella, died, Valya said that Raquella had warned them that Tiran-Arafel was coming. Francesca, Tula, and Kasha watched as Valya used The Voice to order Dorotea, Raquella's granddaughter, to kill herself because Dorotea refused to follow Valya's wishes. Valya showed them the breeding index, which determined that Javicco Corrino and Natalya Arat would make the best match to provide offspring to benefit the Sisterhood. Since Natalya was still a child, Francesca was sent to keep Javicco occupied until she was ready to marry him, while Kasha was sent to be Javicco's Truthsayer and most trusted confidante. When Tula gave birth, she decided she couldn't allow her son to be part of Valya's plan, so she and Francesca swapped him with a stillborn infant and told Valya he'd died.

Francesca and Javicco's union later produced a son, Constantine.

When Francesca received a message she believed was her son reaching out to her saying he needed her, she went to Salusa to see him. However, when she talked to him he told her it wasn't him. He also told her Kasha died, which she didn't know. She realized the message had come from Valya, who said she didn't tell her about Kasha because communications were sometimes monitored. Valya said she had a plan to eliminate Desmond Hart and needed Francesca to guide Javicco back to the Sisterhood and let his heirs study on Wallach IX. She also said it would benefit the Sisterhood to have the son of a Sister, Constantine, commanding Javicco's fleet.

Francesca went to Javicco and told him to start trusting Constantine with some real responsibility so he could rise to his expectations. She reminded Javicco he'd been a lot like Constantine in his youth and he'd turned out okay. When Javicco kissed her, she told him she hadn't come to drive a wedge between him and Natalya.

Francesca then went to talk to Constantine, encouraging him. When he asked her why he was born, she admitted he was meant to protect his sister from those who sought to harm her, including those who claimed to love her.

After Constantine turned over the evidence that led to Keiran being arrested, Francesca joined the family at a dinner, where Javicco announced Constantine as the commander of his fleet. After dinner, Francesca and Javicco shared a private moment, with Francesca unbuttoning his shirt and placing her hand on his chest.

Francesca told Javicco she'd be leaving since Constantine was occupied with his new fleet. Javicco tried to get Francesca to stay, saying he'd find a place for her at the palace. While they were talking, a guard came in and told Javicco that Ynez had been arrested for attempting to free Keiran. Francesca immediately went and told Valya about this. She believed she could use her influence over Javicco to get him to release Ynez, but Valya had another plan, because she said Javicco's reign was over. Her plan was to have Francesca kill Javicco by poisoning him and get herself arrested so she could use The Voice to order her own release and have Theodosia pose as Ynez while they got the real Ynez to safety.

Francesca went to see Javicco, who told her that Valya had told him everything, how every minute of their relationship was part of her plan and that everything in his life had been preordained for him. Francesca showed him the poisoned needle and told him it was Valya's plan, not hers. She told him they could find a way through this together, but he said it was strange to realize you'd never known a moment of freedom. Then he decided to do one thing of his own free will. He stabbed himself with a knife. Francesca held him and begged him to stay with her, but the Natalya came in and stabbed Francesca with the needle, killing her.

Notes and Trivia

Official Dune: Prophecy Character Bio

Strong, intelligent, and alluring, Sister Francesca leaves a lasting impression in her wake. Once a great love of the Emperor, her return to the palace strains the balance of power in the capital.