The Great is a historical and satirical TV comedy-drama loosely based on the rise and reign of Catherine the Great of Russia, the longest-ruling female in the country’s history.
Fans rave this show is everything you could desire from a period drama and then some. It boasts a star-studded cast, plenty of passionate romance, and, naturally, 18th-century intrigue.
“The Great” is a historical and satirical TV comedy-drama loosely inspired by the rise and reign of Catherine the Great of Russia, the longest-serving female leader in the nation’s history. The series chronicles young Catherine’s tumultuous marriage to Emperor Peter III, whom she conspires to assassinate.
Taking on the role of Catherine II is none other than Elle Fanning, who began her career as a child star during Hollywood’s early days, with Nicolas Hoult portraying her spouse. Hoult, who also rose to fame at a tender age, is best known for his roles in productions like Skins, the X-Men films, Nosferatu, About A Boy, and Clash of the Titans.
Rotten Tomatoes is awash with five-star reviews, many of which heap praise on the dynamic duo’s performances. One review says: “The chemistry among this supremely well-cast ensemble of incredibly endearing characters was a marvel. Loved every minute of this series..”
Another fan adds: “Truly a must-watch – raunchy, clever, witty, beautiful, breathtaking and shocking fun! I’ve been telling everyone I can. Why is this so under the radar? ? I’m a MAJOR Elle Fanning fan now. She held nothing back and rocked The Great in every way”, reports the Express.
While the inaugural season was warmly welcomed, the subsequent second and third seasons garnered critical acclaim, with accolades pouring in for everything from the script to the wardrobe. The series, a dark comedy, doesn’t take itself too seriously and openly acknowledges its historical inaccuracies, allowing it more creative freedom, particularly with visual elements.
The Great’s unique approach earned it an impressive seven Primetime Emmy Award nominations. Additionally, both lead actors received Golden Globe nominations for their standout performances throughout the show’s brief run.
One viewer said: “I am hooked,” adding, “I am so happy that I happened upon this series. I love the wit and drama, and the sex is fun too!”.
Another glowing review said: “I love this show so much. How can something balance the funny and the abject so perfectly?”Gorgeous to look at; smarter by the episode; makes use of history without being burdened by it; irreverent, low-brow, high-brow, wonderful. “”.
Initially launched on Hulu in 2020, the show was subsequently renewed for a second season, which became a massive hit among TV enthusiasts. However, despite its success, the creators decided to wrap up the narrative, and following the third season’s 2023 airing, they announced that it would be the final season of The Great – much to the disappointment of its fans.
While enthusiasts were optimistic about the series’ future, one viewer expressed: “This show keeps getting better and better! It’s witty, funny, and historically (in)accurate 😉 casting is just fabulous, and I’m hoping we’ll get many more seasons of this utterly ridiculous story.”
For a hilarious trip through three binge-worthy seasons of the critically celebrated period drama, The Great can be streamed right now on Amazon Prime.
