Josh Heuston (Constantine) actually learned to play the baliset for Dune: Prophecy

Tonight marked the premiere of Dune: Prophecy, a new TV show set in the Dune universe, but set some 10,000 years before the birth of Paul Atreides. The Bene Gesserit sisterhood is just starting to really establish itself as an invaluable organization to the great houses of the Imperium, with Truthsaying sisters stationed with ever important leader in the known universe. That includes Emperor Javicco Corrino (Mark Strong), who rules the Imperium from the Golden Lion Throne on the planet of Salusa Secundus.

The emperor has a colorful family. His wife, the Empress Natalya (Jodhi May), doesn't always agree with his decisions; his daughter and heir apparent Princess Ynez wants to train with the Bene Gesserit; and his bastard son Constantine (Josh Heuston) is something of a royal layabout. He's rich enough that he doesn't have to work, but he's also not in line for the throne, so he doesn't feel compelled to take on the mantle of responsibility like Ynez does. So how does Constantine spend his time?

Well, apparently he likes to jam. In the series premiere, "The Hidden Hand," we see Constantine hanging out at the wedding reception for his sister, who's getting married to the young heir (like, really young; he's 9) to the powerful House Richese. Constantine is entertaining the guests by playing the baliset, a fictional stringed instrument known to be a favorite of characters in Dune. Thousands of years later, Gurney Halleck will play the baliset in front of Paul Atreides.

That's Patrick Stewart, as Gurney Halleck, playing the baliset in David Lynch's 1984 film verison of Dune. There weren't any scenes with the baliset in the newer Dune movies from Denis Villeneuve, so it was fun to see it show up in Dune: Prophecy.

What's even cooler is that actor Josh Heuston actually learned to play the baliset, as he told us when we got to talk to him and his castmates during a roundtable interview with other publications. "[It] was fun, learning how to play that. We did a few lessons," he said. Sarah-Sofie Boussnina, who plays Constantine's sister Ynez, responded for all of us: "That's so cool."

New episodes of Dune: Prophecy drop every Sunday night on HBO and Max. We'll see if the baliset ever reappears.

To stay up to date on everything fantasy, science fiction, and WiC, follow our all-encompassing Facebook page and Twitter account, sign up for our exclusive newsletter and check out our YouTube channel.