It doesn’t take much for Helen Mirren to cause a stir with her presence. She is one of the most celebrated screen actors of our time, after all. And she continues to tackle and defy sexism in the entertainment industry. Oh, and she is an actual Dame. 

So, when she turned up to the Catherine the Great premiere in a carriage that was carried by four men, it was inevitable that fans would go into meltdown. 

Mirren embraced her queen vibes by attending the event in regal style, wearing a navy bodice over trousers and a statement jewel necklace. 

She cruised down the red carpet in a sedan chair that was held up by four men in costume. When they stopped, Mirren stepped and posed for her loyal followers. She then took a call on her mobile phone on the red carpet, because she is Helen Mirren and she can 100% get away with doing that. 

Mirren was paying homage to Russian Empress Catherine The Great, who she plays in the new four-part Sky series. 

According to Sky, the series “delves into the politically tumultuous and sexually charged court of the most powerful female monarch in history. Catherine wielded supreme power throughout Russia for nearly half of the 18th century – strong-minded, independent, brilliantly intelligent and sexually liberated, she was the definition of the modern woman.”

Speaking about her new role, Mirren previously said: “I am very excited by the possibility of embodying a woman from history who grabbed and then wielded great power,” Mirren said of the series, explaining that she had always wanted to play the Russian empress.

“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.”

Watch the trailer for Helen Mirren in Catherine the Great

As you can tell by the trailer, it’s going to be an indulgent watch, rich with opulent costumes, witty dialogue and an incredible cast. Bodyguard and Line of Duty star Gina McKee will play Catherine’s confidant Praskovya Bruce, while Years and Years’ Rory Kinnear is set to bring Nikita Ivanovich Panin (aka Catherine’s political mentor) to life.

Moulin Rouge star Richard Roxburgh will also play  Grigory Orlov, who fathered Catherine’s son and was virtually co-ruler with her until his fall.

We. Cannot. Wait.

Catherine The Great airs on Sky Atlantic and NOW TV this autumn.

Images: Getty