Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Helen Mirren to play Catherine the Great in HBO and Sky series

'I am very excited by the possibility of embodying a woman from history who grabbed and then wielded great power'

Clarisse Loughrey
Thursday 25 January 2018 12:24 GMT
Comments
(Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Helen Mirren has found another ruler to add to her CV – Catherine the Great.

Having already notably starred as both Elizabeth I (in the 2005 TV mini-series) and Elizabeth II (in 2006’s The Queen), she’ll now star as the Empress of Russia, who ruled between 1762 and 1796. Under her rule, charging into power after the assassination of her husband Peter II, she transformed Russia and helped it blossom into one of Europe’s great powers.

Mirren actually conceived of the series herself, stating that she’s always to play the iconic historical figure, and was attracted to the idea of playing such a powerful woman.

“I am very excited by the possibility of embodying a woman from history who grabbed and then wielded great power,” she said. “She rewrote the rules of governance by a woman, and succeeded to the extent of having the word Great attached to her name – Catherine the Great.”

The four-part drama will begin filming later this year, and plans to follow Catherine towards the end of her reign, while tracking her passionate affair with military leader Grigory Potemkin, delving into the “politically tumultuous and sexually charged court of the most powerful female monarch in history.”

The series will be produced by Sky and HBO, written by Elizabeth I‘s Nigel Williams, and directed by The Crown‘s Philip Martin.

David M. Thompson, executive producer for Original Pictures, said: “Helen Mirren came to me with the idea for Catherine the Great when we were working with her on Woman In Gold, saying it’s a part she’s always wanted to play. I’m delighted we’re now making the series and indeed we can’t think of anyone better for the role.”

Catherine the Great will air on Sky Atlantic and Now TV in the UK and Ireland next year, alongside plans for international broadcasts.

Follow Independent Culture on Facebook for all the latest on Film, TV, Music, and more.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in