‘She Was Extraordinary!'

Dame Helen Mirren on What It Takes to Play the Formidable Russian Empress Catherine the Great.

- Jack White

Over the course of her long and successful career, Dame Helen Mirren has portrayed a parade of famous royals, including Queen Charlotte in The Madness of King George and Queen Elizabeth II in The Queen, an unforgettable performance that won her an Oscar.

Now, Helen, 74, has turned her attention to another historical icon for Sky Atlantic’s new mini-series, Catherine the Great, in which she takes on the lead role of the infamous Russian Empress.

Catherine was the country’s longest-ruling female monarch, reigning from 1762 until 1796, and the four-part drama is set towards the end of her time in power.

While detailing the challenges Catherine faced as ruler, the story also covers her illicit affair with Grigory Potemkin (played by Australian actor Jason Clarke).

Sky promises Catherine the Great will ‘delve into the politically tumultuous and sexually charged court of the most powerful female monarch in history’.

And, after being granted an audience with Dame Helen to discuss the show, TV Times has no doubt she has everything required to play this extremely complex character, and more…