If you’ve been watching any prestige TV lately, you’ve probably seen Emma Canning. You might not have known her name yet, but the Irish actress is basically the industry’s favorite new secret weapon. Honestly, it’s rare to see someone go from a one-episode spot on a Netflix show to starring in a massive HBO sci-fi epic in just three years. But that’s exactly what’s happening.
She’s got this specific energy—vulnerable but somehow totally lethal—that casting directors are obsessed with. From the brutal world of Arrakis’s ancestors to the high-stakes fashion houses of post-war Paris, the list of Emma Canning movies and tv shows is growing at a ridiculous pace.
The Breakthrough: From Ancient Rome to the Red Cross
Most people first clocked her in Domina. It’s a gritty, underrated Sky Atlantic drama about the women of Ancient Rome. Canning played Young Antonia Major. It wasn't just a "pretty girl in a toga" role; she had to navigate the insane political minefield of the Augustan era. She only did five episodes, but she left a mark.
Then came Masters of the Air.
This was huge.
The Apple TV+ World War II miniseries had a massive budget and a cast full of "it" boys like Austin Butler and Barry Keoghan. Canning played Helen, a Red Cross volunteer. Her scenes with Laurie Davidson’s Lt. Herbert Nash provided a much-needed emotional pulse to a show that was mostly about planes exploding and men freezing in cockpits. It was short, sweet, and kind of heartbreaking.
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Why Dune: Prophecy Changed Everything
If Masters of the Air opened the door, Dune: Prophecy blew the hinges off. Playing the younger version of Tula Harkonnen (the adult version is played by Olivia Williams), Canning had to do some heavy lifting. She’s essentially the origin story of one of the most powerful sisters in the Bene Gesserit.
Fans of the Frank Herbert books know the Harkonnens aren't exactly known for their warmth. However, Canning’s portrayal of Young Tula is surprisingly sympathetic—until it isn't. Seeing her handle the "Thinking Machine" plotlines and the complex relationship with her sister Valya (Jessica Barden) proved she could lead a major franchise. It’s the kind of performance that ensures you never have to audition for "Girl #3" ever again.
Emma Canning Movies and TV Shows: The Full List (So Far)
She hasn't been in the game long—her first screen credit was in 2021—but the quality of the projects is wild. Here is the rundown of where you’ve seen her:
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- Dune: Prophecy (2024–Present): Young Tula Harkonnen. This is her biggest role to date.
- Masters of the Air (2024): Helen. A Red Cross volunteer who captures the heart of a pilot.
- Say Nothing (2024): Kathleen. A heavy, intense FX drama about the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
- Citadel: Honey Bunny (2024): Dahlia Archer. This is the Indian installment of the massive Citadel spy universe.
- The New Look (2024): Young Elsa Lombardi. She played the younger version of Emily Mortimer’s character in the Dior/Chanel drama.
- Domina (2021): Young Antonia Major.
- The Irregulars (2021): Isabelle. Her first professional screen role in a weird, supernatural Sherlock Holmes spinoff.
- The History of Sound (2025): Clarissa Roux. This is a movie, finally! She’s starring alongside Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor.
The Move to the Big Screen
While her TV resume is stacked, 2025 and 2026 are looking like her "movie years." The most anticipated project is definitely The History of Sound. It’s based on a short story by Ben Shattuck and follows two men during WWI who travel around recording the folk songs of their countrymen. Canning plays Clarissa. Having Paul Mescal as a co-star is basically a golden ticket in Hollywood right now, so expect this one to be a massive awards season contender.
There’s also talk about her returning for Dune: Prophecy Season 2, which has already been greenlit. Since the show jumps around in time, the "Young Tula" flashbacks are essential to understanding why the Bene Gesserit became the terrifying puppet-masters we see in the Timothée Chalamet movies.
What Makes Her Different?
Canning is a Guildhall School of Music & Drama grad. That’s the same school that turned out Ewan McGregor and Lily James. You can tell she’s stage-trained. There’s a discipline to her movement, especially in period pieces. She doesn't feel "modern" when she's in a 1940s nurse uniform or a Roman stola, which is a common problem with younger actors lately.
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She also isn't afraid of the "unlikable" character. In Say Nothing, she deals with the incredibly complex and painful history of Northern Ireland. It’s a show that doesn't offer easy answers, and she fits right into that murky, moral gray area.
Actionable Steps for Fans
If you want to keep up with her career, you shouldn't just wait for Netflix to recommend something.
First, watch Say Nothing on Hulu/Disney+. It’s arguably her best acting work, even if it’s smaller than Dune. Second, keep an eye on the 2026 festival circuit for The History of Sound. It’s likely to hit Cannes or Venice before it gets a wide release. Lastly, if you're into theatre, she occasionally pops back to the London stage—she was recently in Trouble in Mind at the National Theatre.
Emma Canning is basically the definition of "booked and busy." From what we're seeing in early 2026, she’s transitioning from a "that girl from that show" to a household name. Keep her on your radar.
Next Steps to Track Emma Canning's Career:
- Stream Dune: Prophecy on Max to see her handle the Harkonnen legacy.
- Check out The History of Sound production updates for its 2026 theatrical window.
- Follow the Irish film scene news, as she is part of a new wave of talent (alongside Paul Mescal and Saoirse Ronan) dominating the US market.