Ekaterina

In 1745, Empress Elizabeth Petrovna rules Russia but has no direct heir, while her nephew Peter, next in line, is widely seen as unsuited to rule because of an intellectual disability. To keep power in reliable hands, Elizabeth orchestrates a marriage for the young tsarevich and plans to install her own son as the future monarch under her guidance. Brides arrive in St. Petersburg seeking a match, among them the graceful Princess Sofia Frederica, called Fike, who comes from a fallen Prussian branch. The series follows the early court maneuvers, romantic tensions, and political calculations as various factions shape the fate of Russia’s succession, with personal loyalties and state interests constantly at odds.

Created by Arif Aliev and released in 2014, the Russian historical drama stars Marina Aleksandrova as Empress Ekaterina, with Vladimir Yaglych, Pavel Tabakov, Nadezhda Lumpova, and Nikolay Ivanov in supporting roles. The show recreates 18th century court life with period costumes and sprawling palace settings.

No major international awards are widely reported for the series. It found a modest audience and discussion among viewers interested in historical dramas, though it did not become a major awards contender on the festival circuit.

Audience ratings indicate generally favorable viewer response, earning an average of about 7.7 out of 10 from a small sample. Viewers often note strong lead performances and detailed production design, while some commentary points to liberties with historical detail and uneven pacing across episodes.

The show helped renew interest in portrayals of Russia’s imperial era on television, sparking conversations about how Catherine and her contemporaries are represented. Marina Aleksandrova’s performance and the palace intrigue scenes are commonly cited as highlights that prompted viewers to compare the series with other historical takes on Catherine the Great.