3 May 2022
Catherine the Great
A sumptuous historical drama, HBO’s four-part limited series Catherine the Great stars Oscar winner Dame Helen Mirren (who also executive produced) as the 18th-Century Empress Regnant of Russia. Determinedly independent in both her political and private life, Catherine became the country’s longest-ruling female leader, reforming the Russian empire and presiding over a golden age in Russian history and the age of the Russian Enlightenment.
Helmed by Emmy and BAFTA winners, writer Nigel Williams (Elizabeth I, The Name of the Rose) and director Philip Martin (The Crown, Wallander), the show’s cast includes Gotham Award winner Jason Clarke (Zero Dark Thirty, Mudbound, The Devil All the Time), BAFTA winner Gina McKee (Notting Hill, Our Friends in the North, and Kevin McNally (The Crown, Das Boot, Pirates of the Caribbean).
The series was nominated for an Emmy for its sound editing, and a BAFTA for Make Up & Hair Design, with Mirren nominated for Best Actress in a Limited Series at the 2020 Golden Globes. Times (UK) says, “Mirren is magnificent as an august, complex Catherine, simultaneously imposing and insecure, underestimated and resented as a woman in power,” while Daily Telegraph (UK) says, “Catherine the Great is… massive, lush, beautiful, and with an element that’s so often missing in big dramas about major figures: incredibly human.”
The Mommy Club NBO now streaming
The Chocolate Empire, now streaming
The best movies to stream

Elphaba and Glinda’s Wicked little guide
Find out what Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande have to say about Wicked, pick up 10 magical behind-the-scenes facts, and explore 7 more schools of witchcraft and wizardry.

Push play on Father’s Day: Dads just want to have fun
If you’re trying to figure out what the mystery man known as dad really wants this Father’s Day, promise him one-on-one time with our Dads Just Wanna Have Fun collection.

James McAvoy and James Watkins on Speak No Evil
Speak No Evil director James Watkins and star James McAvoy explain “host” Paddy’s creepy charisma, and we check out 6 more roles that prove you never know what to expect with James McAvoy.

Celebrate World Oceans Day with My Penguin Friend
My Penguin Friend director David Schurmann and actor Jean Reno explain how you shoot a penguin. Plus, explore our World Oceans Day watchlist of 25 wet and wild movies and series.