HBO’s set a Monday, October 21, 2019 premiere date for the four-part limited series, Catherine the Great, and they’ve released details on each of the hour-long episodes. Oscar winner Helen Mirren stars in the series which will air over four consecutive Mondays in October and November.
In addition to Helen Mirren in the title role, the cast includes Jason Clarke as Russian military commander Grigory Potemkin, Joseph Quinn plays Paul (Catherine’s son). Gina McKee is Countess Bruce, Rory Kinnear is Minister Panin, Richard Roxburgh is Grigory Orlov, and Kevin R. McNally is Alexei Orlov.
Sam Palladio stars as Alexander Vasilichikov, Clive Russell is The Fool, Lucas Englander is Lieutenant Mirovich, and Antonia Clarke is Princess Sophie. Paul Ritter is General Suvorov, Paul Kaye plays Pugachev, Thomas Doherty is Peter Zavadovsky, Raphael Acloque is Platon Zubov, James Northcoate is Alexander Bezborodko, and Andrew Rothney plays Alexander Dmitriev-Mamonov.
Catherine the Great is an HBO and Sky production. Philip Martin directed the limited series and Charlie Pattinson, David Thompson, and Helen Mirren serve as executive producers.
The Catherine the Great Plot:
“Oscar-winner Helen Mirren stars in HBO’s latest historical drama, Catherine the Great, as the tumultuous monarch and politician who ruled the Russian empire and transformed its place in the world in the 18th century. Over the course of four one-hour parts, the enthralling limited series charts Catherine’s reign as the intelligent, resourceful and utterly determined Empress who fights off threats to her crown, wages war with the Ottoman Empire and expands Russia’s borders as far as the Black Sea and Crimea, turning the nation into a great global power.
But more than a political success story against all odds, Catherine the Great is a sweeping epic that follows the love affair between Catherine and Russian military leader Grigory Potemkin (Clarke), the most extraordinary woman and man of their age, who formed a singular and powerful relationship that helped shape the future of Russian politics.”
Catherine the Great Episode Guide:
- Episode 1
Debut date: MONDAY, OCT. 21 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT)
Russian Empress Catherine the Great (Helen Mirren) faces challenges to her throne on all sides, as she meets the forthright and bold Lieutenant Grigory Potemkin (Jason Clarke).
Written by Nigel Williams; directed by Philip Martin. - Episode 2
Debut date: MONDAY, OCT. 28 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT)
A victorious Potemkin (Jason Clarke) returns from war to find Catherine (Helen Mirren) preoccupied, leading the two to speak candidly about their pasts and future, while a Cossack stirs discontent among peasants in the countryside.
Written by Nigel Williams; directed by Philip Martin. - Episode 3
Debut date: MONDAY, NOV. 4 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT)
Catherine (Helen Mirren) and Potemkin (Jason Clarke) experience growing pains in their relationship, as Potemkin’s push for expansion puts him at odds with Panin (Rory Kinnear).
Written by Nigel Williams; directed by Philip Martin. - Episode 4 (Series finale)
Debut date: MONDAY, NOV. 11 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT)
Pressure from foreign powers leads to a bitter argument between Catherine (Helen Mirren) and an ailing Potemkin (Jason Clarke). Catherine works to change the line of succession as her reign draws to an end.
Written by Nigel Williams; directed by Philip Martin.
