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Both Silo and Dune are set to return in 2026 with new installments, paving the way for one actor to become this year’s biggest sci-fi star. Silo and Dune are easily two of the greatest sci-fi franchises right now on the small and big screens, respectively. While Silo returns with season 3 on Apple TV on July 3, 2026, Dune: Part 3 hits theaters worldwide on December 18, 2026.
In terms of scale and their exploration of sci-fi ideas, Dune and Silo are not exactly similar. However, both have two interesting things in common. They are both based on acclaimed sci-fi books and also feature Rebecca Ferguson in a leading role. While the actress plays the protagonist, Juliette, in Apple TV’s Silo, she portrays Lady Jessica in the Dune movies.
As reports confirm, Rebecca Ferguson’s characters in both franchises will return in the chapters ahead in some capacity. What makes both characters fascinating is that they are nothing like each other, and, yet, Ferguson almost disappears in them when she portrays them on the screen.
Rebecca Ferguson Is Dominating Sci-Fi In 2026 With Confirmed Dune & Silo Return
Silo season 3 will primarily adapt the second book, Shift, from Hugh Howey’s original book trilogy. In the book, Rebecca Ferguson’s character, Juliette, barely makes an appearance in the final arc. The book unfolds more as a prequel spin-off that focuses on the history and origins of the central silos before finally returning to the present timeline.
In the Apple TV sci-fi show, however, Juliette is set to return as one of the leading stars. As reports suggest, Apple TV’s Silo will not tread the same path as its source material. Instead of dedicating an entire installment to the past timeline, the show will seemingly drift back and forth between the past and the present to reveal the secrets of the silos’ origins while unpacking the politics in Silo 18.
The show’s adaptation approach in season 3 confirms that Rebecca Ferguson will still portray one of the key drivers of the series, which makes it even more exciting. Interestingly, Ferguson’s character in Dune was also not going to be a part of the movie series’ upcoming chapter.
As she herself revealed on Josh Horowitz’s Happy Sad Confused podcast, her character was not supposed to be in the third movie since it is primarily based on Frank Herbert’s 1969 book Dune Messiah. Like the books, the first two movies have already wrapped Lady Jessica’s arc, which would have explained her absence from the series in the third film.
However, the actress revealed that she will still be a part of Dune Messiah‘s cast, albeit in a smaller capacity. Denis Villeneuve reached out to her and told her that she needed to be in one scene that serves the franchise’s overarching story. While Ferguson’s appearance in Dune Messiah will be brief, it ensures that she is part of two of the greatest returning sci-fi franchises this year.
Before Dune Messiah and Silo season 3’s release, Rebecca Ferguson also starred in another sci-fi movie this year. Unlike the hit movie series and the Apple TV show, however, the sci-fi film struggled to leave its mark.
Silo & Dune’s 2026 Return Will Make Up For Rebecca Ferguson’s Sci-Fi Flop
Along with Chris Pratt, Rebecca Ferguson led 2026’s sci-fi thriller, Mercy. The original movie felt relevant for the times because of its AI-centric themes and portrayal of automated surveillance and algorithm-driven court trials. Unfortunately, despite exploring some fascinating sci-fi ideas, the movie proved to be a critical failure.
It currently holds a Rotten Tomatoes score of 25%, with most critics calling it unoriginal and formulaic. Even at the box office, Mercy struggled to break even after it grossed a little over $54 million against a budget of $60 million.
Although Mercy managed to garner some success after its recent streaming release, it is far from ranking among Rebecca Ferguson and Chris Pratt’s best works. While it is unknown whether Chris Pratt’s Star Lord will be a part of Avengers: Doomsday, Ferguson is reprising her role in both Silo and Dune, making her sci-fi‘s biggest star in 2026.
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https://screenrant.com/silo-dune-rebecca-ferguson-2026-sci-fi/
Dhruv Sharma
Almontather Rassoul
