Helen Mirren to Play Catherine the Great on HBO, Sky Miniseries

The great Helen Mirren is set to play the eponymous lead role on HBO and Sky miniseries “Catherine the Great.”

“Catherine the Great” is a four-part drama that delves into the politically tumultuous and sexually charged court of the most powerful female monarch in history, per the two networks’ shared description. Catherine wielded supreme power throughout Russia for nearly half of the 18th century — strong-minded, independent, brilliantly intelligent and sexually liberated, she was the definition of the modern woman.

The mini-series, set to start filming later this year, will follow Catherine towards the end of her reign and her passionate affair with Grigory Potemkin, Sky and HBO continued.