Entertainment Extra

2 ENTERTAINMENT EXTRA By Sachi Kameishi TV Media I n a scene from the first trailer released for HBO's upcoming miniseries "Catherine the Great," Dame Helen Mirren ("Collateral Beauty," 2016) stands as the eponymous Russian empress, her fist raised firmly. "Do you know what I hold in my hand?" she asks decidedly. She lets her words hang for a beat before pointedly answering her own question: "Absolute power." Premiering Monday, Oct. 21, on HBO, the four-part "Catherine the Great" period drama co-pro- duced by Sky Atlantic explores the public and private lives of Catherine the Great in her later years. Russia's last and longest- ruling female leader, Catherine revitalized the country during her strict reign. Russia grew larger and more unified than ever, cementing the nation as one of Europe's greatest powers during the 18th century. The new HBO series tells her glorious, politically victorious story as such, while also outlining the controversy and eroticism that challenged her luxurious, golden court. As per Sky Atlantic's news release, the series shines a spot- light on Catherine's place histori- cally and in today's context as a woman who was "strong-mind- ed, independent, brilliantly intelli- gent and sexually liberated ... the definition of the modern woman." Many of the production's inte- rior scenes were filmed in Catherine the Great's actual pal- ace, a detail that will be a treat for audiences as much as it was for the cast. Speaking to the Evening Standard about shooting in the decadent Moscow resi- dence, Mirren said, "I was look- ing out of the same windows onto the exact same grounds [as she was]. It was an extraordinary feeling being that close to her." The depiction of a woman in power who isn't defined by the men around her hasn't been the norm in modern media. Anticipation for this kind of female-focused storytelling is only heightened when you add the abilities of an actress of Mirren's caliber. Not only the lead of the series, Mirren also serves as executive producer for the project. In fact, she reportedly took the idea to fellow producer David M. Thompson, who claimed, "It's a part she's always wanted to play." A lesson in inspired casting, Mirren's turn as Catherine the Great marks her return to the royal tale. Mirren has explored the significance of womanhood in monarchy her entire career. Her roles as Elizabeth I in the mini-series "Elizabeth I" (2005) and Queen Charlotte in "The Madness of King George" (1994) debuted to great acclaim, and her portrayal of Elizabeth II in "The Queen" (2006) earned her an Academy Award. Empress Catherine already feels like an excellent addition to Mirren's col- lection of regal roles, because it's the kind of royal story Mirren has not told before: the story of an openly erotic and deeply roman- tic monarch. HBO has clearly stated that Catherine's sexuality and passionate demeanor are to be spotlighted as one of the most fulfilling aspects of her life, supposedly in an attempt to des- tigmatize her as the lust- obsessed vixen many historians remember and shame her for, and instead consider her sexuali- ty as part of her legacy as a com- plex woman. Given the romantic heart of HBO's "Catherine the Great," it's crucial to mention Mirren's right- hand man in the series: Jason Clarke ("Zero Dark Thirty," 2012). Clarke stars as the most passion- ate of all of Catherine's lovers, Russian statesman Grigory Potemkin. Rounding out the cast for the Catherinian court are Richard Roxburgh ("Angel of Mine," 2019) as Grigory Orlov, another noble favorite of Catherine the Great, who is rumored to have fathered her son and essentially co-ruled with her until his death. Rory Kinnear ("Spectre," 2015) portrays Catherine's mentor, Nikita Ivanovich Panin, Gina McKee ("The Borgias") plays the empress's lady-in-waiting and confidant, Praskovya Bruce, and Andrew Rothney ("Mary Queen of Scots," 2018) appears as Alexander Mamonov, one of the empress's youngest lovers in her court. A cast like this, with Mirren leading the charge, can be expected to deliver a great final product, but the behind-the- camera team and production crew involved with the project only add to the show's already sky-high pedigree. The series was written by novelist Nigel Williams, who won an Emmy for his work on the series "Elizabeth I," which established his relationship with Mirren and his expertise with the period drama genre. The director helm- ing all four episodes is Philip Martin, whose credits include several episodes of "The Crown" and "Prime Suspect," the latter of which also starred Mirren, giving them a decades- long connection. YMCA 2 x 2" Pear Tree Gallery 3 x 2" On the Cover Helen Mirren stars in "Catherine the Great" 'Catherine the Great' on HBO D&J Liquors 3 x 2" American Legion Post 60 2 x 3" Thrifty Muffler 2 x 2.5" Pear Tree Gallery P Corner of 4th & Market Downtown Logansport 574-737-8374 www.peartreegallery.com We Can Do That! NEED SOMETHING FRAMED FAST? Natural & Natural Ice $17.39 30 pack warm Naturdays Strawberry Lemon Beer $17.39 30 pack Barefoot Wines $5.99 750 ml Bud & Bud Light $18.99 16 oz./18 pack warm 3 Convenient locations for all your party needs! East - 3800 E. Market St., West - 1236 W. Market St., Downtown - 509 North St. D&J Liquors Witches Brew 1 oz. Vodka 1 oz. Triple Sec 1 oz. 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