Catherine the Great: New image reveals Helen Mirren's transformation into the Russian empress

A new look at Sky Atlantic's drama Catherine the Great has revealed Helen Mirren's transformation into the Russian sovereign ruler.

The image sees Mirren's Catherine alongside her longstanding lover and Russian General Grigory Potemkin, portrayed by Jason Clarke. The two actors already shared the screen in last year's Winchester, about one of America's most haunted houses.

Catherine the Great is a four-part Sky and HBO Original Production following the latter years of the Empress's reign, including her passionate affair with Potemkin, amid a backdrop of scandal, intrigue, and immense conflict.

Potemkin's status prevented their marriage, but the affair was one of obsessive love both for each other and for their country, together helping to build Russia's reputation as one of the greatest European powers of the 18th Century.

Filming took place in Russia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Some of the palaces and historic venues featured have never been featured on film before.

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Helen Mirren is playing yet another monarch

The series was written by Nigel Williams (Elizabeth I) and directed by Philip Martin (The Crown).

It's the third commission from Sky and HBO’s partnership and is produced by Origin Pictures and New Pictures. It will air on Sky Atlantic and TV streaming service NOW TV in the UK and Ireland in 2019.

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