Only if you're advanced. Ekaterina is a historical drama in formal court speech, so you need strong Russian to enjoy it, and even then its 18th-century titles, politics and manners will demand plenty of attention from you.
- Level
- Advanced
- Format
- Drama
- Year
- 2014
- Episodes
- 56
- Length
- about 50 min each
- From
- Россия 1
Why it works for learners
This gives you a register that modern shows do not: elevated, formal Russian of ceremony, intrigue and power. Characters scheme politely, so meaning sits in careful phrasing. Since the heroine arrives from Germany and has to find her place in Russia, the show also deals with language and belonging. You learn historical and cultural vocabulary tied to a period that matters greatly in Russian memory, and 56 episodes give you plenty of time with it.
What makes it hard
Court titles, forms of address and old-fashioned expressions come up constantly, and name-and-patronymic combinations can make the large cast hard to track. Quiet, hushed scheming scenes can be hard to catch. This register is also not how you should speak in modern Russia.
How to use it
Read a brief history of Catherine's early life first, keeping it general. Keep a list of titles and forms of address. Watch with Russian subtitles if you can find them, and stop after one episode at a time. Treat formal phrases as things to recognise.
Keep it where you'll see it
Save Ekaterina and log every episode or chapter toward your Russian hours. Free for one language.
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