We didn't think it was possible for Dame Helen Mirren [1] 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 [2] 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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