What is Catherine the Great about?
According to Sky, this four-part drama “delves into the
politically tumultuous and sexually charged court of the most powerful female
monarch in history. Catherine wielded supreme power throughout Russia for
nearly half of the 18th century – strong-minded, independent, brilliantly
intelligent and sexually liberated, she was the definition of the modern
woman.”
Catherine the Great was born in 1729 and became Empress of
Russia in 1762, reigning until her death in 1796. That makes her the country’s
longest-ruling female leader.
This TV miniseries will follow Catherine towards the end of
her reign and will put the spotlight on her passionate affair with Grigory
Potemkin, played by Jason Clarke.
Catherine The Great
“Amid scandal, intrigue and immense conflict, this is a
story of obsessive love,” Sky says. “Unable to publicly marry and famously
promiscuous, they develop a unique and devoted relationship, overcoming their
adversaries and together shaping Russia as we know it today.”
The series will be written and directed by people who have
formerly collaborated with Mirren, while the actress will also serve as
executive producer.
Writer Nigel Williams, who previously won both a Golden
Globe and Emmy Award for Mirren’s 2005 series Elizabeth I, is on board for the
project – as is Philip Martin, who previously directed Mirren in Prime Suspect.
Who is in the cast of Catherine the Great?
Oscar-winning actress Helen Mirren takes the lead as
Catherine the Great, returning to the small screen for the first time in years.
The actress’s many, many credits include Prime Suspect, Elizabeth I, The Queen,
The Madness of King George, Gosford Park and The Last Station.
“I am very excited by the possibility of embodying a woman
from history who grabbed and then wielded great power,” Mirren 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.”
Jason Clarke will play Russian nobleman Grigory Potemkin, a
favourite of Catherine the Great. In recent years Clarke has appeared in the
movies Pet Semetary (as Louis Creed), The Aftermath, First Man, Chappaquiddick,
Terminator Genisys, and Mudbound.
Gina McKee will play Catherine’s confidant Praskovya Bruce.
The Bafta-winning actress is perhaps best known to TV fans from her work with
Jed Mercurio – playing Anne Sampson in Bodyguard and Jackie Laverty in Line of
Duty. McKee has also starred in Notting Hill, Phantom Thread, In the Loop, The
Lost Prince, The Borgias, and The Forsyte Saga.
Rory Kinnear (of Years and Years, The Imitation Game and
Skyfall) is set to star as Catherine’s political mentor Nikita Ivanovich Panin.
Moulin Rouge actor Richard Roxburgh will play Grigory Orlov,
a noble favourite of Catherine the Great who fathered her son and was virtually
co-ruler with her until his fall.
When is Catherine the Great set to air?
An exact air date for the Sky and HBO series has yet to be
announced – but according to the trailer, this four-part drama is set to arrive
in autumn 2019.
By Eleanor Bley Griffiths
Friday, 23rd August 2019 at 8:49 am
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