“The drama is set against the politically tumultuous and sexually charged court of Russian empress Catherine the Great who wielded supreme power throughout Russia for nearly half of the 18th century. The HBO/Sky production follows Catherine towards the end of her reign during her passionate affair with Grigory Potemkin.

Amid scandal, intrigue and immense conflict, they develop a unique and devoted relationship, overcoming their adversaries and together serving as the architects of modern-day Russia through a series of liberalizing reforms.”

If December is too long to wait for “The Crown,” HBO has the fix for you. Their four-part limited series “Catherine the Great” will be gracing our screens this fall.

Oscar-winner Helen Mirren steps into the role of the powerful Russian monarch. Between her Oscar-nominated turn as Queen Charlotte in “The Madness of King George,” her Oscar-winning role as Queen Elizabeth II in “The Queen,” and her Emmy-winning titular role in “Elizabeth I” (written by Nigel Williams, who returns to write this series), it’s no surprise to see Mirren playing a royal once again. In fact, Mirren is said to have come up with the idea for the series herself.

Jason Clarke joins Mirren as Grigory Potemkin, a Russian military leader with whom Catherine enters into a romantic relationship with. And much with “The Crown,” it looks like we can expect another story of a woman coming into power in a time in which that was unheard of. Through Mirren’s voiceover, we learn that Catherine overthrows her husband to rise to power.

“Catherine the Great” drops on HBO on October 21. Joseph Quinn, Gina McKee, Rory Kinnear, Richard Roxburgh, Kevin McNally, and Sam Palladio join Mirren and Clarke in the cast for the limited series. Take a look at the new trailer below.