Despite its lavish environments, The Great makes it clear that it’s the farthest thing from historically accurate. It tells the story of Catherine’s arrival to Russia and eventual coup by her 20th birthday. In reality, Catherine arrived in Russia when she was 14 and didn’t execute her coup until 18 years later.
Created by Tony McNamara (one of the screenwriters for The Favorite), The Great provides a sharp, acerbic look at a young woman’s attempts to reclaim power over her life, and in the process, bring a new age for Russia. When Catherine (Elle Fanning) arrives, she’s a heady Francophile who’s full of progressive ideas and looking forward to starting a fulfilling marriage with the emperor, Peter (Nicholas Hoult). Peter, however, is an irresponsible monarch who is surrounded by sycophants and spends his time screwing his way through court. Soon, Catherine’s personal lady in waiting, Marial (Phoebe Fox) suggests that she do away with Peter and take over the business of ruling Russia.
The ten episode series chronicles Catherine’s attempt to draw allies to her cause as she tries to grow into a leadership figure, despite being frequently overwhelmed. There are several moments, such as when Catherine is briefly considered as a successor when Peter is poisoned, where Catherine herself is skewered for her lack of awareness about how a leader should carry herself. When she visits wounded Russian soldiers, for instance, she offers macaroons to them, her colorful gown standing out amidst the snow-covered landscape. Still, Catherine is sincere in her pursuit of leadership skills, even as she starts a romance with an appointed court lover, Leo (Sebastian de Souza).
Nicholas Hoult’s Peter is a nightmare of an emperor, an insecure, brash womanizer who is constantly seeking adoration from his subjects. Hoult has a blast portraying a man child, peppering in moments of humanity that make you think that, maybe, Peter could have been something entirely different if he didn’t grow up to be the emperor.
Although both Fanning and Hoult put in strong performances, the core supporting cast is also robust, with characters such as fellow conspirator Orlov (Sacha Dhawan) and exasperated archbishop (Adam Godley) circling each other, trying to impose order in an otherwise bacchanalian court. Others, such as Peter’s smart and eccentric aunt Elizabeth (Belinda Bromilow) and a perpetually drunk leader of the military, General Velementov (Douglas Hodge) dole out both humor and stern advice to Catherine.
At ten episodes, the first season of The Great meanders at some points, but it sticks the landing with the finale. Catherine and Peter’s relationship is a bit nebulous in the first few episodes, but it develops more as Catherine finds ways to influence Peter and Peter starts to value him as a wife and confidant. It makes the finale feel weighty and eventful, leaving the room open for a very different second season.
The Great is a good example of how period pieces don’t necessarily have to be historically accurate to be entertaining.
If the show eventually moves into Catherine’s reign, it will be interesting to see how the show handles the satire.