What is The Great about?

The Great is an unconventional, darkly comic period drama produced by Hulu. It portrays a fictionalized account of Catherine the Great's reign and rise to power in Russia in the 18th century. The show begins with Catherine arriving in Russia and her subsequent marriage to Peter III. The series deviates from historical fact yet delivers a fascinating insight into gender politics and the shifts in power, through a modern lens. Its stylistic anachronisms, irreverence towards historical accuracy, brash sense of humor, and well-executed satire set it apart from traditional period dramas. High-caliber performances by Elle Fanning as Catherine and Nicholas Hoult as the delightfully oblivious and outlandish Peter III, further enhance the show's appeal. Despite the time period, the dialogue and values are infused with 21st-century sensibilities, resulting in a ‘period drama’ that, while not historically accurate, provides both satirical commentary and entertainment.

The first episode of The Great aired on May 15, 2020 and the most recent episode to air was on May 12, 2023.