Catherine The Great

Starts Thursday 3^rd October, Sky Atlantic, 9pm

Powerhouse Helen Mirren takes on the role of longest-ruling female leader of Russia, Catherine II, in new four-part mini-series Catherine The Great.

Multi-award-winning actress Helen Mirren will star in new four-part drama Catherine the Great. The  series will explore the politically tumultuous and sexually charged court of the most powerful female monarch in history.

She wielded supreme power throughout Russia for nearly half of the 18th century. “She rewrote the rules of governance by a woman, and succeeded to the extent of having the word Great attached to her name, Catherine the Great,” said Mirren.

The show follows a young Jane Tennison (Stefanie Martini - Doctor Thorne) who, at 22, is just starting out on her career in policing in 1970s London.

The prequel is based on a book by Prime Suspect creator Lynda La Plante. It explains how Tennison became such a powerful presence in the London Met and the personal sacrifices that she made for her career.

Sam Reid (The Riot Club, The Railway Man) and Blake Harrison (Inbetweeners, Dad’s Army) also join the cast as Tennison’s superiors, DCI Len Bradfield and DS Spencer Gibbs.

Preacher

Based on a comic book and produced by Seth Rogan (Superbad) this explosive drama follows Jesse Custer (Dominic Cooper), a preacher who finds his body inhabited by a mysterious entity known as Genesis – the offspring of an angel and a demon.

Preacher is adapted from a comic book published by DC comics' adult arm Vertigo. Set in Texas, the show stars UK actors Dominic Cooper and Joseph Gilgun alongside Ruth Negga

The story follows Jesse Custer (Cooper), a preacher who gains supernatural powers when he finds his body inhabited by a mysterious entity called Genesis. He is joined on his unconventional journey by vampire Cassidy (Gilgun) and assassin Tulip (Negga).