Emma Canning is a name that’s popping up more and more across the entertainment world. If you’ve caught her performance as the young Tula Harkonnen in the blockbuster Dune or seen her in other upcoming high-profile projects like HBO’s Dune: Prophecy and FX’s Say Nothing, you’re probably wondering who this rising talent is. Born in Scotland, now based in Paris, and with roots in both English and Irish acting circles, Emma’s career is taking off in a big way. So, too, it’s almost impossible not to notice the buzz around her latest roles and what they mean for her future in Hollywood and beyond.

She’s not just a face on the screen—Emma’s background in theatre and her versatility across genres show that there’s a lot more going on beneath the surface. Whether you're a casual viewer or a die-hard fan of fantasy epics, you’ll want to know more about the woman behind some of the most talked-about performances of the past few years.

So, in this post, we’ll dive into Emma Canning’s journey, her breakout roles, and what makes her one of the most exciting young talents in the industry right now. From her early life in Scotland to her life off-screen, there’s plenty to uncover about this actress who’s steadily making a name for herself.

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Table of Contents

1. Emma Canning: A Quick Biography
2. Early Life and Acting Beginnings
3. Career Highlights and Breakthrough Roles
4. Emma Canning’s Filmography: What Has She Been In?
5. Personal Life: What Else Should You Know About Emma?
6. Frequently Asked Questions About Emma Canning

Emma Canning: A Quick Biography

Emma Canning is a Scottish-born actress who has made a name for herself across film, television, and stage. She’s best known for her role as the young Tula Harkonnen in the hit movie Dune and for her upcoming appearances in Dune: Prophecy (2024) and Say Nothing (2024). She’s also been cast in Amazon Prime’s Citadel and the upcoming project Honey Bunny.

Early Life and Acting Beginnings

Emma was born in Glasgow, Scotland, back in 1997. She didn’t start off dreaming of Hollywood lights and camera flashes. Instead, her early life was filled with a mix of sports and performance. As a young athlete, she specialized in long jump, high jump, and heptathlon events. In fact, in 2022, she even won two national titles in consecutive weekends. That’s right—before fully stepping into the spotlight, she was a competitive track and field athlete.

But it wasn’t long before her love for the stage started to take over. She got her start in theatre, where she quickly earned both starring and supporting roles in a number of plays. Her early stage work gave her the kind of experience that’s hard to come by in front of a camera. She learned how to command attention, how to work with a cast, and how to bring characters to life without the luxury of multiple takes. It’s safe to say, her theatre background gave her a solid foundation for the roles she’s landed in recent years.

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Career Highlights and Breakthrough Roles

Emma’s career really started to gain traction with her role in the 2021 film Dune, directed by Denis Villeneuve. Playing the younger version of Tula Harkonnen, she portrayed the daughter of the brutal Lady Jessica and Duke Leto. It’s a role that, while brief, left a strong impression and earned her a spot among the ensemble of one of the biggest sci-fi releases of the decade.

But that’s just the beginning. She’s also been cast in a number of upcoming high-profile projects, including:

• Dune: Prophecy (HBO series, 2024)
• Say Nothing (FX series, 2024)
• The History of Sound (2025 film)
• Citadel (Amazon Prime series)
• Honey Bunny (upcoming project)

What’s particularly exciting about these roles is the variety. From historical drama to sci-fi epic, Emma’s showing that she’s not just a one-trick pony. Her ability to slip into such different characters so convincingly is part of why she’s generating so much interest from fans and critics alike.

In an interview with Geeks of Color, Emma spoke about what it was like to play Tula and how she approached such an emotionally charged character. She also teased that fans might see more of Tula in the future—though, of course, she couldn’t give away too much. Still, it’s clear that she’s excited about the direction her career is heading.

Emma Canning’s Filmography: What Has She Been In?

Let’s take a closer look at Emma Canning’s film and television work to date. While she’s still early in her career, the roles she’s landed are already quite impressive.

1. Dune (2021) – Portrayed the young Tula Harkonnen
2. Say Nothing (2024) – Upcoming FX series based on the book
3. Dune: Prophecy (2024) – HBO prequel series
4. The History of Sound (2025) – Upcoming film
5. Citadel – Amazon Prime spy thriller series
6. Honey Bunny – Upcoming project (Details TBA)

Each of these roles brings something different to the table. From the emotionally heavy Tula in Dune to the intense world of political conflict in Say Nothing, Emma’s filmography is shaping up to be as diverse as it is exciting. Learn more about Emma Canning’s filmography on our site.

What’s also worth pointing out is that she’s not just appearing in big-budget films. She’s been part of independent projects and theatre productions as well. That kind of range is rare for someone still in the early stages of their acting career.

Personal Life: What Else Should You Know About Emma?

Off-screen, Emma leads a life that’s a mix of artistic passion and personal connection. She’s in a long-term relationship with a professional rugby player named Russell, who plays for the French club Racing 92. The couple has been together for several years, though they briefly split in 2021 before getting back together.

They currently live in Paris, France. That’s right—despite her Scottish roots, Emma has found a home in the City of Lights. She’s also said in interviews that she enjoys the slower pace of life in Paris compared to the hustle and bustle of Hollywood or London. It’s a nice balance for someone in a high-pressure industry like acting.

And don’t forget her athletic past. While she may have shifted her focus to acting, she still keeps in shape and values physical health. She’s even been described by some as a “Glaswegian runner” due to her background in track and field. So, while she may not be jumping hurdles on the big screen, she’s still got that competitive spirit in her.

Frequently Asked Questions About Emma Canning

Where was Emma Canning born?

Emma was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on March 7, 1997. Despite being born in Scotland, she’s often associated with both English and Irish theatre circles due to the nature of her early acting work.

Is Emma Canning in Dune: Prophecy?

Yes, Emma is set to appear in HBO’s Dune: Prophecy, which is a prequel series to the 2021 film and the classic novels. She’ll reprise her role as Tula Harkonnen, giving fans a deeper look into the origins of House Atreides and House Harkonnen.

What other projects is Emma Canning working on?

In addition to Dune: Prophecy, Emma has been cast in Amazon Prime’s Citadel, FX’s Say Nothing, and the upcoming film The History of Sound. She’s also attached to the project Honey Bunny, though details about her role there are still under wraps.

If you’re curious about what else she’s been in, you can read more about her upcoming roles here.