HBO and Sky are teaming on a four-part Catherine the Great miniseries starring Oscar and Emmy winner Helen Mirren. Production will begin later this year.
Catherine the Great 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. The series follows Catherine toward the end of her reign and her passionate affair with Grigory Potemkin. Amid scandal, intrigue and conflict, this is a story of obsessive love. 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.
Nigel Williams (Elizabeth I) will write the miniseries, with Philip Martin (Prime Suspect) set to direct. They executive produce with Mirren, David M. Thompson and Charlie Pattinson. Jules Hussey is producing. Origin Pictures and New Pictures produce.
"I am very excited by the possibility of embodying a woman from history who grabbed and then wielded great power," said Mirren. "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. I am very grateful to have HBO and Sky as partners in this endeavor. There are no other homes on television that bring the support and understanding needed for this kind of project."
"We are jubilant about having Helen Mirren back on HBO, playing the iconic Russian empress and joining this distinguished team of British filmmakers. This collaboration will, no doubt, result in a truly regal miniseries," added Kary Antholis, President, HBO Miniseries.
Mirren won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 2006 for The Queen. She then won an Emmy for the HBO miniseries Elizabeth I.
