Television
The Great is a satirical, loosely historical comedy-drama television series created by Tony McNamara, starring Elle Fanning as Catherine the Great and Nicholas Hoult as Peter III. It premiered on Hulu in May 2020 and ran for three seasons, concluding in May 2023. The show blends dark humor, anachronistic dialogue, and dramatic intrigue to reimagine the rise of the 18th-century Russian empress.
The Great presents a fictionalized account of Catherine the Great's early years in Russia, from her arrival as a naive German princess to her eventual coup against her husband, Emperor Peter III. The series explicitly states it is "an occasionally true story," taking creative liberties with chronology and character. For instance, Catherine's real-life coup occurred in 1762, but the show compresses and rearranges events for dramatic effect.1
Central to the plot is Catherine's ambition to modernize Russia, inspired by Enlightenment ideals, while Peter is depicted as a childish, hedonistic ruler. Their volatile relationship forms the emotional core. The show also incorporates real figures like Count Alexei Orlov, who historically helped Catherine seize power, and Marial, a fictional lady-in-waiting who becomes Catherine's confidante.2
The series was created by Tony McNamara, who co-wrote the Oscar-nominated film The Favourite (2018), and it shares that film's irreverent tone and rapid-fire dialogue. McNamara drew on his own play of the same name, which premiered in 2008. The show is produced by Hulu and features lavish costumes and sets, earning Emmy nominations for costume design and production design.
Filming took place in the United Kingdom, primarily at historic estates like Hatfield House and Wilton House, to evoke Russian imperial grandeur. The music, composed by Nathan Barr, blends classical motifs with modern instrumentation, reinforcing the show's anachronistic style.
Elle Fanning portrays Catherine, evolving from an idealistic bride to a ruthless ruler. Nicholas Hoult plays Peter III, a role that earned him a Golden Globe nomination. The supporting cast includes Phoebe Fox as Marial, Gwilym Lee as Grigory Orlov, and Sacha Dhawan as Count Orlo, a fictional advisor based on several historical figures.3
Notable guest stars include Gillian Anderson as Catherine's mother, Joanna, in season 2, and Jason Isaacs as Peter's father, Peter the Great, in flashbacks. The show's ensemble was praised for its chemistry and comedic timing, with Fanning and Hoult's dynamic central to its success.4
The Great explores themes of power, feminism, and the absurdity of autocracy. Critics lauded its sharp writing and performances, with Rotten Tomatoes scores above 90% for each season. It won a Peabody Award in 2021 and received multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations.5
Some historians noted the show's deliberate historical inaccuracies, but McNamara defended them as a means to explore emotional truths. The series also sparked discussions about the representation of Catherine the Great, who is often mythologized in popular culture.6
One obscure fact: the character of Count Orlo is partly based on Nikita Panin, Catherine's foreign policy advisor, but also incorporates traits of other Enlightenment thinkers. The show's title sequence features a portrait of Catherine that changes each episode, reflecting her shifting character.
Another edge case: the series was initially developed as a film, but McNamara expanded it for television after Hulu expressed interest. The third season was announced as the final, with McNamara stating he had always envisioned a three-act structure. Additionally, the show's dialogue includes modern slang and profanity, a stylistic choice that drew both criticism and praise.
The series is a work of fiction, not a documentary, and should be enjoyed as such.
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