Catherine the Great: Helen Mirren Stuns in Regal Trailer For HBO's Historical Drama

We didn't think it was possible for Dame Helen Mirren to be any more regal than she already is, but in the trailer for HBO's Catherine the Great, she manages to do just that.

The first glimpse of the upcoming historical series shows us Mirren as the legendary monarch, who was Empress of Russia from 1762 until 1796, making her the country's longest-ruling female leader. The series will show us Catherine toward the end of her rule in the 18th century, when she begins a steamy relationship with Grigory Potemkin (Jason Clarke), a military leader.

"When I was young I dreamed of freedom, I dreamed of breaking chains," Catherine can be heard saying. "But as you get older, your choices narrow. So instead I gave us an empire, but I knew exactly what I was doing . . . I will not share my throne with anyone."

Watch the trailer for the four-part historical drama above (and teaser below) before the series arrives on HBO on Oct. 21.

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