Rebecca Ferguson Confirms Lady Jessica’s Return in Dune Part 3 — Even Though She’s Not in the Book

Lady Jessica is not supposed to be in Dune: Part 3 if you go strictly by the book. Denis Villeneuve is not going strictly by the book.

Rebecca Ferguson told GamesRadar+ at a press event for her new Netflix thriller A House of Dynamite that she will pop up in Dune: Part 3. It is a tiny appearance, but it exists, which is notable since Frank Herbert left Jessica out of Dune Messiah, the novel the movie is adapting.

"Yeah! I am in it. Small. Dip in and out, because I'm not in the books. So I wasn't reckoning on it," Ferguson said, adding that Denis Villeneuve called her to say, "No, mate, I have a couple of scenes…"

Later, on the vibe of returning for just a day: "Very rarely do I get any more FOMO. I quite often am relieved to not be involved in things. I'm the one who comes in and leaves fast. But I think [Dune] is the one… I walked onto set, and I saw [cinematographer] Linus Sandgren and Denis, and Timothée was there. And it just rings close. I knew I was going to leave the next day, so there was a sadness to it. But I also know that the film is epic."

Why this is a curveball (and why it kind of rules)

In Villeneuve's first two films, Lady Jessica is a major engine of the story. She defies the Bene Gesserit plan, has Paul Atreides (Timothee Chalamet), and kickstarts everything from the Kwisatz Haderach prophecy to the war that follows. By Dune: Part Two, she has taken on Reverend Mother status and is pregnant with Alia. That last part matters for Part 3: Anya Taylor-Joy is playing Alia, and Alia is a big deal in this chapter.

So yes, the book benches Jessica, but Villeneuve clearly wanted a moment with her. Ferguson hinted it was quick — sounds like a one-day shoot — but it is in there.

The production is locked down, but the whispers are loud

Dune: Part 3 is already filming under heavy secrecy. Official confirmations are scarce. Warner Bros. has not even formally said Ferguson is in it. One long-running rumor says Robert Pattinson is playing the main villain, the facedancer Scytale. That has not been announced either, so file it under interesting-but-unconfirmed.

Where Part 3 lands in the timeline

If Villeneuve follows the novel's structure, this movie jumps roughly 12 years past the events of Part Two. Expect the return of Chani (Zendaya) and Princess Irulan (Florence Pugh). And yes, Jason Momoa is expected back as Duncan Idaho — or is he? Book readers know why that question mark matters.

• Rebecca Ferguson will appear as Lady Jessica in Dune: Part 3, despite the character not being in the Dune Messiah novel.
• She describes it as a small, in-and-out role; she suggested she was on set for just a day.
• Villeneuve personally called her to slot in "a couple of scenes."
• Alia has a major role this time, with Anya Taylor-Joy playing her.
• Production is underway and very secretive; studio confirmation of some casting (including Ferguson) is still MIA.
• Rumor mill: Robert Pattinson as Scytale, the facedancer villain. Not official.
• Story likely takes place about 12 years after Part Two, with Zendaya, Florence Pugh, and a version of Jason Momoa's Duncan Idaho back in the mix.
• Dune: Part 3 is set for December 18, 2026.
• Rebecca Ferguson's A House of Dynamite is in select theaters now and hits Netflix on October 24.