Australian actor Josh Heuston could see his career skyrocket with his appearance in the upcoming Dune: Prophecy series, but that may come at the cost of his role in Heartbreak High. Premiering on Netflix in 2022, Heartbreak High is a soft reboot of the 1994 series of the same name, and it centers on a group of Australian teens and their romantic lives. Heuston plays Dustin “Dusty” Reid, the quintessential cool guy popular musician. Dusty identifies as bisexual, and most of his storylines revolve around his relationship with Harper.
Set to premiere on November 17, 2024, on HBO, Dune: Prophecy couldn’t be more different than Heartbreak High. Set in the same universe as Denis Villeneuve’s hit Dune movies, Dune: Prophecy is a prequel series taking place approximately 10,000 years before the events of Dune. The show is about the formation of the Bene Gesserit and stars Emily Watson and Olivia Williams as Valya and Tula Harkonnen, the sisters who establish the powerful Sisterhood. Among the recurring cast is the young Josh Heuston.
Josh Heuston Likely Reduced His Role In Heartbreak High Season 2 To Film Dune: Prophecy
Dusty Barely Factored Into The Show’s Sophomore Season And Likely Won’t Be In Season 3
When season 2 premiered in 2024, Josh Heuston had been downgraded from series regular to guest star in the Heartbreak High cast, appearing in only three episodes. This left many fans perplexed, as Dusty was such a major factor in season 1. But in the season 2 premiere, Ant explains to Harper that Dusty got kicked out of Hartley High because he “KO’d his reputation in front of the whole school” —a reference to Dusty spreading the false rumor that Amerie and Jojo had slept together.
Josh Heuston’s Heartbreak High Season 2 Episodes | |
|---|---|
Episode 2 | “SLTs vs C**LORDS” |
Episode 6 | “Just Like $h*t” |
Episode 7 | “The Grapes of Voss” |
Though it’s never been officially confirmed, the reason for Heuston’s reduced Heartbreak High screentime is likely due to his Dune: Prophecy commitments, as both series were filming in the summer of 2023 (via The Direct). And while Heartbreak High has been confirmed to be returning for a third and final season, it’s doubtful that it will include Heuston, as Dusty wasn’t really a part of the major season 2 storylines. Furthermore, an Instagram post from the actor celebrating Heartbreak High‘s season 2 premiere was captioned, “proud of you all.” If Heuston were still on the show, it likely would have read, “proud of us all.”
Josh Heuston’s Dune: Prophecy Character Explained
He Plays Constantine Corrino, Illegitimate Son Of The Emperor
The upcoming Dune: Prophecy focuses on the early days of the Bene Gesserit, so it will obviously be a female-driven show, meaning that Josh Heuston will not be the protagonist. Instead, he will play a recurring character, Constantine Corrino, the illegitimate son of Emperor Javicco Corrino (Mark Strong), who’s described as “torn between seeking his father’s approval and his own happiness.” (via Variety)
While there may not be much overlap between Heartbreak High and Dune: Prophecy viewers — apart from Heuston fans — the actor’s work on the Australian teen series has definitely prepared him for the role of Constantine. Heartbreak High is all about the angst of its teen characters, and Constantine’s desire to forge his own path while still pleasing his dad has teen angst written all over it. Again, Josh Heuston is not the focus of the upcoming fantasy series, but Dune: Prophecy may very well make him an A-list star.
A reboot of the 1994 television series Heartbreak High is a comedy-drama created for Netflix and follows various students at the Australian high school Hartley High. A map containing the names of several students and their sexual adventures is discovered on the school’s wall, and now several students must attend a sex ed course together.
- Cast
- Ayesha Madon , James Majoos , Chloe Hayden , Asher Yasbincek , Thomas Weatherall , Will McDonald , Josh Heuston , Gemma Chua-Tran , Bryn Chapman-Parish , Sherry-Lee Watson , Brodie Townsend , Chika Ikogwe
- Release Date
- September 14, 2022
Set in the universe of Frank Herbert’s Dune series, this sci-fi epic follows the political and spiritual struggles on the desert planet of Arrakis. As factions vie for control of the prized spice melange, a prophesied hero emerges, challenging the balance of power and the fate of the galaxy.
- Cast
- Emily Watson , Olivia Williams , Jodhi May , Travis Fimmel , Mark Strong , Jade Anouka , Chris Mason , Sarah-Sofie Boussnina , Shalom Brune-Franklin , Faoileann Cunningham , Aoife Hinds , Chloe Lea , Josh Heuston , Edward Davis , Tabu , Yerin Ha
- Character(s)
- Mother Superior Valya Harkonnen , Reverend Mother Tula Harkonnen , Empress Natalya Arat , Desmond Hart , Emperor Javicco Corrino , Sister Theodosia , Keiran Atreides , Princess Ynez Corrino , Mikaela , Sister Jen , Sister Emeline , Sister Lila , Constantine Corrino , Harrow Harkonnen , Sister Francesca , Young Kasha
- Release Date
- November 17, 2024
- Seasons
- 1