The series explores the story of a woman named Catherine, a woman who had the highest power throughout Russia during the half of the 18th century. At that time, Catherine was able to experience a strong defense of her right where she was thoughtful when she was sexually liberated. Catherine was already the modern woman for all long periods.
Fabulous as the sets are, they pale next to the magnificence of Helen Mirren, looking as creamily ageless as though she's bathed in all the caviar of Lake Baikal.
Stars Helen Mirren, who is marvellous. That should do you. That's your reason to watch, right there. But as I must expand, I shall also tell you it's fun, it's sexy, has a clever script and covers a period in history that hasn't been done to death.
This series isn't just a vehicle for [Helen Mirren], it's a golden carriage. She is sumptuously dressed and adoringly, luminously photographed in great palaces in Russia. It's an amazing spectacle but Mirren easily dominates it.
Helen Mirren has proved herself once again as one of the greatest actors of her, and any, generation. Lavish and compelling, it explores love and loss through what seems to be the romance of its time and is a joy to watch.
It is gloriously shot, the landscapes a wash of crimson and gold, the interiors burnished, every luxurious plate of food a glistening still life. Yet realism intrudes, often.
Catherine the Great has a satisfying intricacy throughout, while the beauty and grandeur of its history certainly looks impressive...but it's the courageous truth at the heart of Mirren's performance that sets it apart.
Catherine the Great is the historical drama series I've been waiting for; massive, lush, beautiful, and with an element that's so often missing in big dramas about major figures: incredibly human.
The parts are all good - the scenery, the performances, the script - but they add up to slightly less than their sum. Perhaps it is the extra exposition that makes it feel too ponderous and prevents it from taking flight.
Catherine The Great is an attempt to splice the historical grandeur of The Crown... It achieves that, with sumptuous sets and costumes, and a galloping pace of palace rumpy-pumpy that would tax a warren full of rabbits on Viagra.
The producers and commissioning editors made a decision that their heroine would be older - much older - on screen than she was in real life. Has this happened before? I can't think that it has... and really, it is quite fantastic: game-changing, almost.
