The Great: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes

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Critics Consensus

The Great can't quite live up to its namesake, but delicious performances from Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult and a wicked sense of humor make it a pretty good watch.

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Belinda V

Me and my husband George loved all 3 sessions o wow this so good very good just love all the cast members hope to see a new season

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/22/24

Full Review

Fabio M

Interesse non pervenuto

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

12/28/23

Full Review

Will B

The actors were great. The writing is great - IF - and that's a big if - you simply ignore real-life history. In light of real-life, you might even describe this series as an insult to reality. This series is an example of Woke politics at work. You find all ethnicities in the court of Peter III in Russia - something that absolutely defies the reality of Russia during this time period (or even the Russia of the 2020s). The roles of real-life people, like Count Grigory Orlov (Catherine's real life lover) are relegated to side-characters, made fun of as virgins, while characters who never existed are promoted to positions of "lover of the Empress." The same is true of the character Elizabeth - in the series, merely the crazy aunt of Peter III. But in real-life, the ACTUAL empress who brought Peter III to Russia after his mother's early death and his father's demise. Oh yes, and Peter the Great was Peter III grandfather, and not his father as the series maintains. Perhaps the most horrible of the series sins, is portraying Peter III as a sexually depraved and uncaring individual who beds his friends' wives and literally anyone else he wants at court - along with being violently cruel, killing nobles and others capriciously. There are zero well-documented instances of Peter III behaving in such a fashion. Indeed, it is quite the opposite with Peter ending the Russian involvement in the Seven Years' War against Prussia, attempting to modernize the Russian army, and secularize the Church's property in Russia - all unpopular moves with the Russian nobility and military leaders of the time - which contributed to a climate in which the politically savvy Catherine was able to seize power. The series producers clearly have attempted to make Catherine into this great, progressive leader - because that image fits the political winds of today. But for his time, it was Peter - and not Catherine - despite her real advancements in the areas of science and the arts once she was ruler - who made attempts at Russian reform. Indeed, in Woke theology (for that is what it really is) one has to smear and tear down the white male ruler - even if historically the show's accusations against him are 100% false - in order to prop up, promote, and lionize a female, national ruler. Why not tell the truth? Peter III tried to make reforms in Russia, but he was unpopular - aligning more closely with German culture, which he admired than with that of Russia. Catherine was a politically savvy opportunist who had no love for Peter III (and apparently the feeling was mutual). Yet, she too sought to reform and modernize Russia. In essence, the two had many of the same goals but went about accomplishing them in a vastly different manner - and clearly, Catherine's was the more successful. The bottom line here is that this Woke re-writing of history is not only unnecessary, but it is truly insulting to the Russian people. I feel, despite the excellent acting and writing of "The Great" - this fantasy - this untruth - is a tale that is unworthy of those who have produced it.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

11/27/23

Full Review

A K

Takes a season to catch it's stride but, stick with it and you will be handsomely rewarded.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/15/23

Full Review

Gareth v

An off-beat, sharp toungued comedy that has a healthy dose of vulgarity to keep the laughs flowing. While some scenarios drag out, this original take on Russian royalty has a sharp story driving it along.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/20/23

Full Review

Tina K

I just started watching this series and so far ... I FEEL the oppression and frustration of women, intellectuals and others under a clueless, vain, shallow, immature, self-absorbed, ignorant and decadent ruling class. I feel for the Empress as she tries to modernize the world by ridding it of mean girls and boys, sexism and other isms. Lovely design and at times funny.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/10/23

Full Review

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Tony McNamara

Creator

Elle Fanning

Catherine

Nicholas Hoult

Peter

Phoebe Fox

Marial

Adam Godley

Archbishop

Gwilym Lee

Grigor

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Episode 1

Aired May 15, 2020

The Great

Catherine travels to Russia and becomes the Empress by marrying the Emperor of Russia, Peter; Catherine soon realizes Peter is a selfish brat and feels hopeless until her servant, Marial, presents her with an alternative path -- to overthrow Peter.

Details

Episode 2

Aired May 15, 2020

The Beard

Catherine takes her first steps toward a coup; she attempts to seduce and recruit palace intellectual Count Orlo; it's a disaster; however, after seeing Peter's brutal treatment of local nobles, the count decides to join Catherine's coup.

Details

Episode 3

Aired May 15, 2020

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; Peter, noting Catherine's unhappiness, gifts her with a sterile lover, Leo.

Details

Episode 4

Aired May 15, 2020

Moscow Mule

Catherine tries to manage her reputation at court and her relationship with Leo, both of which distract her from the coup; the influential Patriarch of the church dies, and a new one must be chosen.

Details

Episode 5

Aired May 15, 2020

War and Vomit

As the war with Sweden rages, Catherine and Aunt Elizabeth visit the Russian front; Grigor poisons Peter; Velementov, Orlo, and Marial try to influence Catherine's steps toward takeover, as Peter's life hangs in the balance.

Details

Episode 6

Aired May 15, 2020

Parachute

Peter has a new lease on life after his near-death experience; he is open to Catherine's progressive ideas of introducing art and science to court and wants to focus on an heir; Orlo tries to figure out who poisoned Peter and faces demons of his own.

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Episode 7

Aired May 15, 2020

A Pox on Hope

Catherine feels optimistic about peaceful coexistence with Peter and their increasing chemistry; when smallpox breaks out in the servant's quarters, Peter reverts to his old ways; Leo and Catherine's relationship suffers, and Georgina misses Peter.

Details

Episode 8

Aired May 15, 2020

Meatballs at the Dacha

Catherine's political abilities are tested when she's given an opportunity to travel abroad with Peter and Velementov to discuss ending the war with the Swedish king; Velementov sees the potential of her leadership and decides to support the coup.

Details

Episode 9

Aired May 15, 2020

Love Hurts

Tensions mount as Catherine, Orlo, Velementov, Leo, and Marial try to get regional counts on board with the coup; when a body is discovered, Peter decides to torture everyone to find the murderous traitors; Catherine realizes she is pregnant.

Details

Episode 10

Aired May 15, 2020

The Beaver's Nose

Catherine decides to move forward with the coup on her birthday; Peter holds Leo hostage as collateral; Marial betrays Catherine to Peter; Catherine realizes that the only chance for a greater Russia is to fight, without Leo; the battle begins.

Details

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The Great: Season 1 Trailer

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The Great: Season 1 Teaser

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Megan McCluskey

TIME Magazine

A satirical black comedy that delivers an absurdist mashup of 18th century history...

May 24, 2023

Full Review

Deborah Ross

The Mail on Sunday (UK)

The Great is a period romp based on the life of Catherine the Great, but it is not your average period romp as it is lavishly filthy, wonderfully funny, snappily paced, savagely witty and totally modern. The Great is great, in other words.

Rated: 5/5

Jan 11, 2021

Full Review

Carol Midgley

Times (UK)

It's light-hearted and funny, and right now that's no bad thing.

Rated: 4/5

Jan 7, 2021

Full Review

Tom Gliatto

People Magazine

Vividly absurd, occasionally disgusting, sometimes puzzling.

Sep 12, 2022

Full Review

Sarah Ward

Concrete Playground

The Great serves up acerbic laughs from the outset, and doesn't let the mood drop. That means sharp, sly and thoroughly self-aware dialogue, an irreverent and cheeky tone, and having ample fun with real-life details.

Jun 25, 2022

Full Review

Brian T. Carney

Washington Blade

An elegant and bawdy genre-busting history lesson...stuffed with equal parts witty banter, lofty ideals and brutal debauchery.

May 20, 2022

Full Review

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Director: Colin Bucksey, Geeta Patel, Bert & Bertie, Ben Chessell, Matt Shakman
Executive Producer: Tony McNamara, Marian Macgowan, Josh Kesselman, Ron West, Brittany Kahan Ward, Doug Mankoff, Andrew Spaulding, Elle Fanning, Mark Winemaker, Matt Shakman
Screenwriter: Tony McNamara, Tess Morris, James Wood, Gretel Vella
Network: Hulu
Rating: TV-MA
Genre: History, Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date: May 15, 2020

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