If you’re on the hunt for a new series that is guaranteed to make you simultaneously squeal with laughter and gasp in disbelief, Hulu’s new anti-historical cheeky dramedy, The Great, staring Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult should be next on your list.
Watch below: The first official trailer for 'The Great'
The series, which has been billed as a wild ride through 18th century Russia, follows the rise of Catherine the Great (Fanning) as she climbs the ranks to one of the longest-reigning female rulers in the country’s history. The biggest obstacle standing in her way? Her chauvinistic husband, of course. Played by Nicholas Hoult, Emperor Peter sees no harm in insisting that Catherine’s greatest role in life is to make him “heirs” and take "her place" as a woman in the household instead of rule. A position she clearly doesn’t agree with.
Throughout the 10 episodes, we’ll watch as a young, idealistic and romantic young girl quickly becomes wise to the dangerous, depraved and backwards world that she resolves to change. In the process, killing her husband, beating the church, baffling the military and getting the court (mostly) on her side.
The comedy also stars Phoebe Fox, Adam Godley, Gwilym Lee, Charity Wakefield, Douglas Hodge, Sacha Dhawan, Sebastian de Souza, Bayo Gbadamosi, and Belinda Bromilow, and is set to air next month on May 15 on Hulu and May 16 on Stan.
Until then, we’ll be taking a minute to remind ourselves of some of our other favourite period dramas, starting by taking a trip down memory lane with Kirsten Dunst’s iconic rendition of Marie Antoinette. Pass the cake, please!
