HBO’s just released the first official photo of Oscar winner Helen Mirren in Catherine the Great. The HBO/Sky miniseries also announced new cast members and revealed details on the miniseries’ key characters.
The four-part miniseries was written by Nigel Williams and directed by executive producer Philip Martin. Helen Mirren also serves as an executive producer along with David M. Thompson from Origin Pictures and Charlie Pattinson and Christine Healy from New Pictures.
The dramatic series is now shooting in Russia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Filming’s taking place in actual palaces as well as on sets, according to HBO.
The Catherine the Great Plot:
“Set against the politically tumultuous and sexually charged court of Russian empress Catherine the Great, who wielded supreme power throughout Russia for nearly half of the 18th century, the limited series follows Catherine towards the end of her reign during her passionate affair with Grigory Potemkin. Amid scandal, intrigue and immense conflict, they develop a unique and devoted relationship, overcoming their adversaries and together serving as the architects of modern-day Russia.”
The Cast and Characters:
- Helen Mirren as Catherine the Great, the Russian Empress who was strong-minded, independent, brilliantly intelligent and sexually liberated – the definition of the modern woman.
- Jason Clarke as Grigory Potemkin, a Russian military commander who became Catherine the Great’s lover, favored statesman and life-long friend.
- Joseph Quinn as Paul, Catherine’s son and heir.
- Gina McKee as Countess Bruce, Catherine’s lifelong friend and confidante.
- Rory Kinnear as Minister Panin, a skillful politician, advisor and governor to Catherine’s son.
- Richard Roxburgh as Grigory Orlov, one of Catherine’s former lovers, who helped orchestrate the coup that brought Catherine to power.
- Kevin R. McNally as Alexei Orlov, who, with his brother Grigory, helped orchestrate the coup that brought Catherine to power.
- Sam Palladio as Alexander Vasilichikov, Catherine’s young lover.
- Clive Russell as The Fool.
- Lucas Englander as Lieutenant Mirovich.
- Antonia Clarke as Princess Sophie.
- Paul Ritter as General Suvorov.
- Paul Kaye as Pugachev.
- Thomas Doherty as Peter Zavadovsky.
- Raphael Acloque as Platon Zubov.
- James Northcoate as Alexander Bezborodko.
- Andrew Rothney as Alexander Dmitriev-Mamonov.
