The Scarlet Empress

Princess Sophia Frederica arrives in Russia as a bride for Grand Duke Peter and is renamed Catherine by Elizabeth. She grows into a self-assured, calculating figure who refuses to be sidelined. She uses political insight and personal relationships to outmaneuver rivals, culminating in a coup that places her on the throne.

A volatile, self-indulgent emperor who treats the throne as a game and prefers his mistress and soldiers to governing. He belittles Catherine and destabilizes the court, ultimately meeting his downfall at the hands of Orlov and Catherine.

The aging ruler who reshapes Catherine's path by renaming her and arranging her marriage to Peter. She wields influence from behind the scenes while maintaining a veneer of regal control, hoping to secure the succession even as her health falters.

Catherine's bold lover and military ally who helps orchestrate the coup. He commands loyalty and military force, proving instrumental in dethroning Peter and solidifying Catherine's rise to power.

A calculating chancellor whose note to Catherine is intercepted by Elizabeth, illustrating the perpetual court games that shape outcomes. His moves represent the quiet political maneuvering that underpins Catherine's climb.

A religious figure who embodies the moral dimension of the court. He blesses Catherine and becomes a symbol of legitimacy as she asserts control, while concerns about Peter's hold linger at court.

A guard who is initially skeptical of Catherine's true identity but is drawn to her. Their encounter marks a personal, vulnerable moment amid palace intrigue, foreshadowing Catherine's willingness to bend personal ties to power.