Series synopsis
The Great is an American drama history television series that premiered on Hulu on May 15, 2020. It ended on May 12, 2023. It was created by Tony McNamara. It stars Elle Fanning, Nicholas Hoult, Phoebe Fox and Gwilym Lee.
A genre-bending, anti-historical ride through 18th century Russia following the rise of Catherine the Nothing to Catherine the Great and her explosive relationship with husband Peter, the emperor of Russia.
Premise
A genre-bending, anti-historical ride through 18th century Russia following the rise of Catherine the Nothing to Catherine the Great and her explosive relationship with husband Peter, the emperor of Russia.
Premise: An occasionally true story.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Elle Fanning as Catherine II of Russia
- Nicholas Hoult as Peter III of Russia
- Phoebe Fox as Marial
- Gwilym Lee as Grigor Dymov
- Adam Godley as Archbishop
- Douglas Hodge as General Velementov
- Belinda Bromilow as Elizabeth Petrovna
- Bayo Gbadamosi as Arkady
Supporting cast
- Charity Wakefield as Georgina Dymova
- Sacha Dhawan as Orlo
- Florence Keith-Roach as Tatyana
- Grace Molony as Queen Agnes
- Freddie Fox as King Hugo
- Liv Hill as Angeline
- Liam Fleming as Guard #1
- John Sessions as Bishop Tarcinkus
- Kemi-Bo Jacobs as Marina
- Mark Ramsay as Bishop Kalinka
- Miles Jupp as Maxim the Painter
- Christianne Oliveira as Countess Belanova
Guest cast
- Liv Hill as Angeline
- Liam Fleming as Guard #1
- John Sessions as Bishop Tarcinkus
- Kemi-Bo Jacobs as Marina
- Mark Ramsay as Bishop Kalinka
- Miles Jupp as Maxim the Painter
- Christianne Oliveira as Countess Belanova
- Ezra Faroque Khan as Bishop Leontius
- Daniel Tuite as Lieutenant One
- Jordan Kagaba as Footman
- Dan Wyllie as Garry Illych Brezhnev
- Asheq Akhtar as Chef Louis
Episodes
This series spans 4 seasons with 32 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 2 | December 28, 2009 | December 28, 2009 |
| Season 1 | 10 | May 15, 2020 | May 15, 2020 |
| Season 2 | 10 | November 19, 2021 | November 19, 2021 |
| Season 3 | 10 | May 12, 2023 | May 12, 2023 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chuseok - Part 1 | December 28, 2009 |
| 2 | Chuseok - Part 2 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Great In 1761, Catherine travels to Russia and becomes the Empress by marrying the Emperor of Russia, Peter. With hopes of marrying a great love, Catherine soon realizes Peter is a selfish brat who stands against everything she values. Catherine is feeling hopeless and verging on suicide when her servant, Marial, presents her with an alternative path – to overthrow Peter. |
May 15, 2020 |
| 2 |
A Fake Beard Catherine takes her first steps toward a coup. Taking advice from Marial, she attempts to seduce and recruit palace intellectual Count Orlo. It's a disaster. However, after seeing Peter's brutal treatment of local nobles and unwillingness to listen, he decides to join Catherine's coup. |
May 15, 2020 |
| 3 |
And You Sir, Are No Peter the Great Catherine, Orlo and Marial continue their coup planning. They try to recruit an unhappy military general, Velementov, for their cause during palace celebrations honoring Peter's late father, Peter the Great. Peter, noting Catherine's unhappiness at court, gifts Catherine a sterile lover, Leo. She's hesitant at first, but Leo manages to charm her. |
May 15, 2020 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Heads It's Me Four months after she launched a coup against her husband, a pregnant Catherine is gaining the upper hand in her war against Peter. The fact that he is deeply in love with Catherine and their unborn child does little to dissuade her from taking his throne. |
November 19, 2021 |
| 2 |
Dickhead Catherine, Orlo and Velementov begin their rule of Russia and unexpected obstacles appear. Peter is on a journey of self-improvement under house arrest but convinces Catherine to let him attend her coronation and hand over his crown. |
November 19, 2021 |
| 3 |
Alone at Last Catherine's grief over the loss of Leo during the coup finally catches up with her. Peter's part in Leo's death, and the discovery that he just murdered a noble, causes Catherine to lock Peter in his apartments with only his mummified mother for company. |
November 19, 2021 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Bullet or the Bear Catherine and Peter seek some marriage guidance after the chaotic events of the previous day left them in an awkward place in their relationship. |
May 12, 2023 |
| 2 |
Choose Your Weapon Catherine is visited by the UK and US Ambassadors both wanting her to intervene in the War of Independence. Maxim takes issue with the public displays of affection between Grigor and Marial. |
May 12, 2023 |
| 3 |
You the People Catherine involves the peasants, nobles and merchants in a conference designed to bring change to Russia. Peter's hunt for revenge on an historic enemy threatens to destabilise Catherine's attempt to outlaw murder. |
May 12, 2023 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | Hulu |
|---|---|
| First aired | May 15, 2020 |
| Last aired | May 12, 2023 |
| Runtime | 64 minutes |
| Status | canceled |