Is this Kate Winslet's BEST on-screen role yet? Actress, 48, is lauded for her 'spectacular' performance as a tyrannical DICTATOR in new HBO show The Regime - as critics gush over her 'terrific' portrayal of an 'utter oaf'

Kate Winslet's new black comedy The Regime has been declared 'spectacular' with the TV critics praising the actress' comedic timing.

The 48-year-old plays the charismatic yet paranoid chancellor Elena Vernham in the six-part mini series, who rules a small country in 'middle Europe.'

Critics have released their initial reviews of The Regime, praising the actress's ability to channel the spirit of a bevy of notorious leaders, including China's Xi Jinping, echoes of North Korea's Kim Jong Un, and former US President Donald Trump.

With the series soon to be released on HBO and Max, the reviews have been rolling in for Winslet's performance. 

Kate Winslet's new black comedy The Regime has been declared 'spectacular' with the TV critics praising the actress' comedic timing 

Winslet stars alongside Guillaume Gallienne - who plays her husband Nicholas - in the HBO series which will be available to stream on Sunday

The mini series is written by Will Tracy - whose credits include The Menu and Succession - with Winslet also the producing the series. 

Winslet stars alongside Hugh Grant, Matthias Schoenaerts and Andrea Riseborough in the authoritarian TV show.

In six parts, the show tells the story of an authoritarian regime in an unspecified country in Europe as its chancellor becomes increasingly paranoid when the economy begins to struggle.

The series jumps forward in time each episode, showing Elena's unraveling spurred by the increasingly toxic bond she forms with Corporal Herbert Zubak (Schoenaerts), whom she initially hires to test the moisture in each room out of fear of mold, as he starts  convinces Elena that she’s not sick, but is being poisoned by her staff.

Reviews have praised the actress for her ability to balance the sinister side of the chancellor, who rules her small country through surveillance and violence, while delivering her lines with impeccable comedic timing.

'Winslet, equipped with a lisping, upper-crust accent and gamely leading deranged musical numbers, pivots fluidly from hysterical hypochondriac to tyrannical alpha, hopeless romantic to malignant narcissist,' Time said of the actresses performance. 

In a review, Rolling Stone described Elena's behavior as having 'some echoes' of Putin - specifically after she invades a neighboring country that was once hers, as well as Trump, writing, 'she is erratic, subject to bizarre whims, and largely disconnected from reality.' 

The Daily Beast called Winslet's portrayal of a cunning and paranoid dictator as a 'clever amalgamation' of other world leaders.

'Winslet is almost too good in too many ways to count in The Regime,' the said. 

'She is so terrific at being a complete and utter oaf that one has to wonder why Winslet has taken on so few major comedic roles. But no matter—why not save those brilliant comic chops for a character as finely tuned and memorable as Elena?'

Winslet's character forms a toxic bond with Corporal Herbert Zubak (played by Matthias Schoenaerts) in The Regime

Reviews have praised the actress for her ability to balance the sinister side of the chancellor with comedic timing

The chancellor (Winslet) and Herbert (Schoenaerts) (pictured), whom she initially hires to test the moisture in each room out of fear of mold, grow closer as she starts to become more paranoid

The BBC described Winslet as 'spectacular, funny and chilling,' in the 'absurdist yet close-to-home satire.'

'[The Regime] assumes that it's best to laugh to keep from crying,' they wrote. 

'With a spectacular, funny and chilling Kate Winslet as the imperious chancellor of an unnamed, fictional Central European country, the captivating series is a comedy that never ignores the real-life, global dramas beneath it all.'

The New York Times applauded Winslet's performance in the role, describing The Regime as a 'kind of twisted love story'.

'And for some romantics and their unfortunate subjects, love is a battlefield,' the review read.

While the NY Times, the BBC and The Daily Beast had consistently positive reviews of the overall  series, reviews were mixed.

Rolling Stone described it as 'blurry', saying it 'is unfortunately wanting in several ways,' adding it struggles to achieve the 'balance of absurdity and pathos' like political satire film Dr. Strangelove.

Time agreed, writing the show is 'a lot of skillfully produced fun,' however, 'never delivers the shrewd political commentary its premise could support.'

'It It’s less a satire than a farce,' they commented.

Winslet described her the role as nothing like she had ever played 'in her life.'

'I've never read a script like this before. I've never laughed so much at the material that was in front of me, as we did every single day, and I really just felt this was an exciting, challenging, terrifying opportunity for me to step totally out of my comfort zone,' she told the Associated Press.

The Regime is set to be released March 3 on HBO and Max