Historical series with 100% Rotten Tomatoes score is 'show of the year'

Gillian Anderson stars in a period TV series that has been billed "show of the year", and it is available to stream. The Great is a British-American satirical dark comedy-drama very loosely based on the rise to power of Empress Catherine the Great of Russia. Alongside Anderson, this historical fiction television series stars Elle Fanning as Catherine and Nicholas Hoult as Emperor Peter III and Peter's body double Yemelyan Pugachev.

The Great was created, and is mostly written, by Australian playwright and screenwriter Tony McNamara, based on his 2008 play of the same name. All 10 episodes of the first season were released on Hulu in 2020, with its second season airing in 2021. In early 2022, the series was renewed for a third season which premiered in 2023. The second and third seasons received critical acclaim, with particular praise for their directing, writing, humour, costumes, and cast performances.

It has received numerous accolades, including seven Primetime Emmy Awards nominations, with both Fanning and Hoult being nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress and Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, in 2022. In August 2023, Hulu announced the series' third season was the last.

The series synopsis reads: "The Great is a comedy series depicting the fictionalised rise of Catherine the Great, a young Russian empress who overthrows her cruel and selfish husband, Peter III, to become the sole ruler of Russia. The anti-historical, genre-bending show follows Catherine's journey from a naive royal to a powerful leader, navigating palace intrigue, political maneuvering, and personal ambition while dealing with her husband, her court, and the future of Russia."

The Great has an approval rating of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. The critics consensus states: "The Great continues its revisionist reign stronger than before thanks to its addictive wit and marvelous cast -- huzzah!"

One viewer described the series as "show of the year", while another added: "Every scene, every line of Tony McNamara's script carries its own wicked hedonism: there is always something to enjoy that's ruder, sillier or sharper than other shows would dare to include."

The Great is available to stream on Amazon Prime and Channel 4.