London: Zendaya, Timothée Chalamet and Anya Taylor-Joy surprised BBC presenter Rylan Clark with an unusual prank during a promotional interview for Dune: Part Three, following secret instructions from children.
The stunt was organized as part of BBC Children in Need, with three children secretly communicating through earpieces to direct the actors during what Clark believed was a routine movie interview.
In one moment, a child instructed Anya Taylor-Joy to begin meditating and close her eyes. The actress immediately paused the conversation and asked everyone to join her.
Zendaya and Chalamet followed along, holding hands as the group began chanting “ohm.” Zendaya played along with the unexpected instruction, telling Clark that sometimes people need to reset their energy.
Another instruction targeted Chalamet, who was told to stand up and touch Clark’s beard. The actor initially appeared hesitant before eventually leaning toward the presenter and asking permission.
“Is this? Can I?” Chalamet asked as he moved closer to Clark’s beard. Zendaya joined the joke, describing it as smooth and shiny while the children laughed.
The Dune cast’s participation was part of a wider BBC Children in Need initiative designed to bring unexpected moments into the charity’s annual television appeal.
The prank also featured Jason Momoa, who joined Zendaya, Chalamet and Taylor-Joy for the promotional interview. Clark remained unaware that children were controlling the conversation through hidden instructions.
The promotional appearance comes as the cast begins publicity for Dune: Part Three, directed by Denis Villeneuve. The film is scheduled to arrive in theaters on December 18, 2026.
The upcoming movie will conclude Villeneuve’s adaptation of Frank Herbert’s science-fiction saga. It follows the events of the earlier films and continues the story surrounding Paul Atreides and the consequences of his rise to power.
The December 18 release date places the film in direct competition with Marvel’s Avengers: Doomsday, which is also scheduled to open in theaters that day.
BBC Children in Need’s 2026 appeal show aired Friday, November 13, on BBC One, featuring the full prank alongside fundraising activities and appearances supporting children and young people across the United Kingdom.
