The Shocking Truth Behind The Sudden Cancellation of The Great on Hulu

Summary

The cancellation of The Great after three seasons has raised questions about Hulu's reasons for axing the show.

The Great garnered positive reviews and awards recognition, although it potentially had lower ratings on Hulu in comparison to other original series on the platform.

Without Nicholas Hoult's portrayal of Peter, Season 4 of The Great might have faced challenges. However, the show could have delved into Catherine the Great's life following Peter's demise.

Hulu's decision to cancel The Great, their alternate history series, has sparked speculation about the reasoning behind it. The show, which loosely portrayed Catherine the Great's journey to power in Russia, was not always historically accurate but its biting satire was highly effective. Viewers thoroughly enjoyed the intricate plots and schemes devised by Catherine and her advisors. As a streaming series, The Great had a dedicated fan base and garnered positive reviews, making its cancellation even more unexpected.

Throughout its run, The Great received praise from both critics and audiences, as exemplified by its favorable Rotten Tomatoes scores. The show generated buzz during awards season, earning nominations at prestigious events such as the Critics' Choice Television Awards, Golden Globes, and Primetime Emmy Awards. In fact, The Great triumphed at the Emmys, winning the prestigious Outstanding Period Costumes category in 2022. The performances of lead actors Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult were consistently lauded, and the rest of the cast was a delight to watch. It is indeed perplexing that a show of such high quality and popularity came to an abrupt end. However, Hulu's decision to cancel The Great is likely driven more by practical considerations than anything else.

The Great Season 3 Likely Had Weak Ratings On Hulu

Hulu did not provide an official explanation for canceling The Great, but it is highly likely that the decision was made due to its low ratings. Similar to other streaming platforms, Hulu does not disclose its viewership figures. Nonetheless, it can be assumed that The Great failed to attract a sufficient number of viewers to meet Hulu's expectations. Unlike popular Hulu original series like The Handmaid's Tale or What We Do in the Shadows, The Great did not attain a similar level of popularity. Despite receiving critical acclaim and recognition during awards season, it seems this was not enough for Hulu to greenlight a fourth season.

The cancellation of The Great serves as a prime example of how viewership plays a crucial role in the success of streaming services. It is imperative to have shows that can garner high viewership numbers, and although The Great may have been well-received by general audiences, it likely did not achieve the ratings that Hulu desired. Fortunately, unlike many other streaming series, The Great was not axed after its first season; it had the opportunity to evolve and improve over its second and third seasons. Nevertheless, it is regrettable that low ratings seemingly prevented The Great from having a proper conclusion to its story.

The Great Season 4 Would Have Struggled Without Nicholas Hoult's Peter

Although The Great was undeniably exceptional, season 4 would have faced challenges without the presence of Hoult's outstanding portrayal of Peter. Peter's demise in The Great season 3 was essential to the narrative and Catherine's character development. However, given Hoult's brilliant and relatable performance, along with his impeccable chemistry with Fanning's Catherine, Peter became a beloved character among fans. The absence of Peter would undoubtedly have altered the show's atmosphere, and it remains uncertain if The Great could have recovered from the loss of such an iconic character. While Tony McNamara's adept writing would undoubtedly have kept The Great captivating, no one could have truly replaced Peter.

To be fair, The Great could have found a way to incorporate Peter in some capacity. Perhaps he could have appeared in Catherine's flashbacks or visions. Nevertheless, these glimpses would not have been the same as having the character alive and well. Many shows have struggled in the past after the departure of significant characters, and The Great might have suffered a similar fate. It is regrettable that viewers will not have the opportunity to witness Catherine's genuine progress and success in a post-Peter world. The Great took a daring (albeit historically accurate) risk by killing off Peter, and it would have been fascinating to observe how the show would have evolved without him.

The Great Season 4's Story: What Happened Next In Real Life

The unanswered questions left by The Great season 3 are revealed through real-life history, shedding light on what happened to Catherine the Great. According to Smithsonian Magazine, Catherine ruled on behalf of her son Paul, who was the heir apparent to Peter, and had no intentions of stepping down when he reached adulthood. While Catherine was known for being an enlightened ruler who contributed to the cultural enrichment of Russia, her aggressive military campaigns and efforts to expand the empire were seen as unfavorable aspects of her legacy. Tragically, Catherine suffered a stroke on November 16, 1796, and passed away the following day.

Given the liberties The Great took with historical accuracy, it would have been intriguing to witness how Catherine's life unfolded after Peter's death in a potential fourth season. One particularly intriguing storyline could have revolved around Catherine developing a romantic relationship with the new army leader, Petrov, mirroring her real-life affair with army officer Grigory Potemkin. The historical context of Catherine the Great, combined with the groundwork laid in The Great's season 3 finale, had the potential to create a captivating fourth season. While the show's cancellation is unfortunate, it is fortunate that The Great enjoyed three exceptional seasons.

Source: Rotten Tomatoes, Smithsonian Magazine