She’s set to play the role of Russia’s former empress in the hotly-anticipated miniseries.
And Dame Helen Mirren appeared in great spirits as she attended the UK premiere of her new period drama Catherine the Great – scheduled to air on Sky Atlantic on October 3 – at the Curzon Mayfair in London on Wednesday evening.
The actress, 74, pulled out all the stops to keep in theme with her character as she was carried onto the red carpet in a litter vehicle.
Regal: Dame Helen Mirren appeared in great spirits as she attended the UK premiere of her new period drama Catherine the Great at the Curzon Mayfair in London on Wednesday
Cutting a regal figure, the Hobbs & Shaw star was dressed in a navy textured peplum blouse, complete with a trendy squared neckline.
The Prime Suspect actress upped the style ante as she teamed her sophisticated top with a pair of incredibly wide-legged trousers, which concealed her patent black heels during her red carpet appearance.
Adding a pop of colour to her look, four-time Emmy winner Helen accessorised with diamond and topaz dangle earrings, which coordinated with her matching choker necklace.
The bigger, the better: The actress, 74, pulled out all the stops to keep in theme with her character as she was carried onto the red carpet in a litter vehicle
Sensational: Cutting a regal figure, the Hobbs & Shaw star was dressed in a navy textured peplum blouse, complete with a trendy squared neckline
Portrayal: The Cal star is set to play the role of Russia’s former empress in the hotly-anticipated miniseries (pictured)
Plot: The show will chart the latter years of Catherine’s 34-year reign between 1752 until 1796, and was filmed in Russia, Latvia and Lithuania (portrait Catherine the Great, pictured right)
The Hammersmith native accentuated her youthful-looking complexion with matte foundation, smudged black eyeliner across her lids and a slick of red lipstick.
In a bid to fully emulate her strong character, Helen made a bold arrival to the venue as she was carried by guards in the glass human-powered vehicle, which was decorated in gold paisley patterns.
The TV and film star couldn’t hide her delight as she joined co-star Jason Clarke, who portrays the role of Grigory Potemkin – a military commander and Catherine’s lover – in the miniseries.
Hi, there: In a bid to fully emulate her strong character, Helen made a bold arrival to the venue as she was carried by guards in the glass human-powered vehicle
Grand arrival: The massive litter featured a padded velvet seat and was decorated in gold paisley patterns
Striking: The Hammersmith native accentuated her youthful-looking complexion with matte foundation, smudged black eyeliner across her lids and a slick of red lipstick
She’s got her eye on you: Helen gazed at the camera as she continued to strike a series of powerful poses
Thank you: The Hitchcock star grinned from ear-to-ear as she was helped out of the massive box by a guard dressed in traditional Russian gear
The show will chart the latter years of Catherine’s 34-year reign between 1752 until 1796, and was filmed in Russia, Latvia and Lithuania.
According to Sky, this four-part drama ‘delves into the politically tumultuous and sexually charged court of the most powerful female monarch in history’.
In a recent interview, the award-winning screen star admitted that despite working hard filming the period drama, she is ‘feeling great’ about the product.
What a woman! The Prime Suspect actress upped the style ante as she teamed her sophisticated top with a pair of incredibly wide-legged trousers
Radiant: Adding a pop of colour to her look, four-time Emmy winner Helen accessorised with diamond and topaz dangle earrings, which coordinated with her matching choker necklace
Speaking to The Sunday Times’ Culture magazine, The Queen star explained: ‘When you go into this sort of work, it’s like going into a nunnery, really.
‘You just have to go into a mode of proper diet, no drink, no partying, go to bed early. I should be knackered, but actually I feel great.’
Meanwhile, Helen admitted she thinks things have ‘changed substantially’ for women in the film and television industry as of late.
Asked if she has noticed any changed, she said: ‘Hugely. In the last 10 years – or really the last three or four years – things have changed substantially.’
Warm greeting: The TV and film star held onto her chest as she blew kisses at onlookers
Cheery: Helen giggled as she appeared to engage in a lively conversation over the phone
Busy woman: While she was at the premiere, the media personality still managed to squeeze in a phone call
‘When I first did Prime Suspect they were not at all sure that a female-led drama would be acceptable to the public. So that’s how much things have changed since we first began Prime Suspect. It’s changed hugely.’
Dame Helen was confirmed in January to be playing the role of the Russian Queen who had an extremely colourful love life.
Following the assassination of her husband Emperor Peter III in 1762, Catherine was rumoured to have had a string of male lovers and children through illicit affairs.
In good company: Helen joined co-star Jason Clarke, who portrays the role of Grigory Potemkin – a military commander and Catherine’s lover – in the miniseries
Sweet: The Terminator Genisys star, 50, planted a kiss on his fellow thespian’s head
Cosy: The 2014 BAFTA Fellowship recipient looked up at the hunk as he towered over her during their joint appearance
Star-studded: Game Of Thrones star Joseph Quinn (L) and Kevin McNally (R) were also in attendance
It will be Helen’s first major television role for 13 years, having last played Queen Elizabeth I in a Channel 4 miniseries.
Helen has Russian ancestry and was born Ilyena Mironov, as her grandfather was an aristocrat and diplomat who, with his family, was stranded in Britain by the Russian revolution in 1917.
His son married a British woman and anglicised the family name to Mirren when the actress was ten.
Chirpy: Earlier in the day, Helen looked chic in a wool camel coat as she headed to Heart Radio Studios