An image of Dame Helen Mirren as Golda Meir shows the British actress in character for the first time since she took on the role of Israel’s first female Prime Minister for an upcoming biopic.

Filming began in London on “Golda” with a cast featuring Call My Agent star Camille Cotin as Golda’s longtime personal assistant and Israeli star Lior Ashkenzi as her chief of staff.

The 1970s thriller set during the Yom Kippur War will explore the “intensely dramatic events, high-stake responsibilities, and controversial decisions” faced by the former head of government at the time.

Dame Helen praised the “formidable, intransigent and powerful leader” and said it was a “great challenge to portray her at the most difficult moment of her extraordinary life.”

She added: “I only hope I do her justice.”

Director Guy Nattiv said the star “melted so brilliantly into Golda Meir's character with incredible talent, intelligence, depth and emotion, doing justice to the richness and complexity of this incredible woman.”