How is Orry Atreides related to Paul Atreides in Dune? Explained
The influx of new information following the release of new episodes of Dune: Prophecy on HBO has made it challenging for audiences to keep track of the newly introduced characters in the Dune universe. It has also become increasingly difficult for them to understand the relationships between these new characters and those introduced earlier in the series and the films.
For instance, in the recent episode of the show, the audience got the chance to see Orry Atreides play a significant role in the show's narrative. Owing to him having the Atreides house name, many were curious if and how he was related to Paul Atreides.
Upon further investigation, fans discovered that while there were some gaps in the Atreides family tree, Orry Atreides could be considered Paul's great-uncle. Having said that, it must be noted that it is challenging at this point to determine exactly how many generations separate them in this familial relationship.
Tracing Orry Atreides' relationship with Paul Atreides
Deductions based on the Atreides family tree suggest that Orry Atreides is Paul Atreides' great-uncle. However, as previously mentioned, it is difficult to determine how many generations separate them from one another.
The events of Dune: Prophecy take place 10,000 years before the events of the Dune franchise films, marked by the birth and rise to power of Paul Atreides, son of Duke Leto Atreides and Lady Jessica. Orry Atreides is Willem Atreides's brother.
Willem is Vorian Atreides's (the founder of House Atreides) great-great-great-grandson. Vorian's death was reported to be in 9 AG.
There is a significant gap in the Atreides lineage after Willem, which has led many to believe that he probably had a child with someone whose identity is not known.
This ambiguity in the Atreides family tree continues until the birth of Westheimer Atreides in the year 22 AG.
After Westheimer, there is yet another significant gap in the Atreides family tree, until the birth of Miklos Atreides who is established to be recognized as the 23rd Duke of the Atreides house. Miklos had a son named Kean Atreides whose mother remains undocumented in the records.
Kean's legacy lived through his son Paulus Atreides who was born in 10,089 AG. 51 years after that, Paulas's son Leto Atreides, would carry forward the Atreides family name. Several years later, Leto would father Paul Atreides, one of the most powerful members of House Atreides.
What happened to Orry Atreides in Dune: Prophecy?
The fate of Orry Atreides' character in Dune: Prophecy was far from favorable. While things appeared good for him personally, as he entered into a romantic relationship with Tula Harkonnen and she agreed to be with him, things soon soured when the latter revealed her true intentions.
Orry discovered that Tula's closeness to him and his family was all part of her plan to destroy the Atreides family, to seek vengeance for her brother Griffin's death in their hands.
In the end, Tula poisoned all the Atreides family members whom she was close to through Orry, including him.
The next episode of Dune: Prophecy airs on HBO on December 8, 2024.
