Watch first trailer for Helen Mirren’s epic new ‘Catherine the Great’ series

The Queen star Helen Mirren is playing a very different ruler in her new TV series.

Catherine the Great stars Mirren (The Queen, Prime Suspect) as the titular Empress of Russia, who wielded supreme power throughout Russia for nearly half of the 18th century.

The cast also includes Jason Clarke (Zero Dark Thirty) as Catherine’s military commander and lover Potemkin, Gina McKee (Bodyguard) as Catherine’s lifelong friend and confidante Countess Bruce, and Rory Kinnear (Skyfall) as Minister Panin, a skilful politician, advisor and governor to Catherine’s son and heir Paul, played by Joseph Quinn.

HBO and Sky’s upcoming four-part mini-series will be set against the lavish backdrop of the politically ruthless 18th century Russian court and the first footage has now been released.

Watch the trailer:

The official synopsis reads: “The mini-series will follow Catherine towards the end of her reign and her passionate affair with Grigory Potemkin.

“Amid scandal, intrigue and immense 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.”

Catherine the Great will premiere this autumn on Sky Atlantic in the UK and Ireland, and on HBO in the USA and Canada.

It’s been written by Nigel Williams (Elizabeth I) and directed by Philip Martin (The Crown).

The Queen is available on DVD on Amazon.