Many Western actresses have played Catherine the Great in film, from Marlene Dietrich to Elle Fanning. Let's recall these and other portrayals of the Russian empress on big and small screens.

On May 15, the streaming service Hulu premiered the comedy series The Great, dedicated to the Russian Empress Catherine the Great. The lead role in this project is played by Elle Fanning. The young and talented actress is far from the first representative of the Western acting community to portray one of the most iconic figures in Russian and world history on screen.

We invite you to recall 9 more Western actresses who have played Catherine the Great in films or TV series over the years.

Pola Negri "Forbidden Paradise" (1924)

For the first time on Western cinema screens, Catherine the Great was portrayed by Pola Negri, who played the great empress in the silent film "Forbidden Paradise." The film was based on the Broadway production "The Czarina" and told the story of Catherine, saved by a soldier with whom she subsequently falls in love.

Marlene Dietrich "The Scarlet Empress" (1934)

Ten years after "Forbidden Paradise," the film "The Scarlet Empress" was released, starring the legendary Marlene Dietrich in the lead role. The film was far from historical reality, for which it was heavily criticized by experts on Catherine the Great's biography, but the level of production and Dietrich's masterful acting earned this film a worthy place in the history of American cinema.

Elisabeth Bergner "The Rise of Catherine the Great" (1934)

In the same year, 1934, a film with a British perspective on the life of the famous Russian empress was released. The film turned out to be not as bright and extravagant as its direct American competitor, which is why it is rarely remembered today.

Tallulah Bankhead "A Royal Scandal" (1945)

Ernst Lubitsch, who directed "Forbidden Paradise," later joined forces with director Otto Preminger to make a remake of his film, this time with sound. Catherine the Great was played this time by Tallulah Bankhead. In this film, one could see the empress unashamedly drinking vodka, breaking dishes, and awarding another favorite with the Order of the Golden Bear.

Jeanne Moreau "Great Catherine" (1968)

The life of Catherine the Great became the subject of a 1968 British comedy starring Jeanne Moreau in the lead role. The film's plot was based on a short story by George Bernard Shaw, and Moreau was joined on set by Peter O'Toole and Zero Mostel.

Julia Ormond "Young Catherine" (1991)

In this international project, Catherine was played by Julia Ormond, and most of the scenes were filmed in Russia, including at the Winter Palace, but this did not save the film from an abundance of historical errors and outright clichés. However, the project featured Vanessa Redgrave, Christopher Plummer, Franco Nero, and Maximilian Schell.

Catherine Zeta-Jones "Catherine the Great" (1996)

Perhaps the most beautiful actress to ever portray Catherine the Great on film is Catherine Zeta-Jones, who played the Russian empress in the film by Marvin J. Chomsky and John Goldsmith. Interestingly, Jeanne Moreau, previously featured in our list, appeared in this film in the role of Empress Elizabeth.

Emily Bruni "Catherine the Great" (2005)

In a modest project by Paul Burgess and John-Paul Davidson, Catherine the Great was portrayed by Devonshire (England) native Emily Bruni. This work failed to stand out or be remembered for anything notable among its illustrious competitors.

Helen Mirren "Catherine the Great" (2019)

Winner of the Oscars, Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTA, and many other important awards in the film world, Helen Mirren also did not pass up the opportunity to showcase her interpretation of Catherine the Great. In the HBO series written by Philip Martin, Mirren appeared as a smart and judicious empress who is practically impossible to deceive.