The Great
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The Hulu original series The Great transforms the fascinating history of the Russian monarchy into a witty black comedy. Fans eagerly await The Great season 4, as the show premiered to critical acclaim in 2020. This captivating series follows the captivating journey of Catherine the Great (Elle Fanning) as she rises to become the Empress of Russia and delves into her turbulent relationship with her husband, Peter III (Nicholas Hoult). Renowned for its intelligent writing and superb performances, The Great brings history to life in a spectacular and, at times, unconventional manner. Despite its occasional deviations from accuracy, the show's humor remains its most powerful attribute, offering audiences a fresh and unprecedented portrayal of Catherine the Great. Stream this exceptional series exclusively on Hulu.
The streaming service Hulu has ventured into the arena of original content with successful shows like The Handmaid's Tale, but The Great sets itself apart from the flood of original streaming content due to its unique tone. Stepping away from the conventional seriousness of other historical series, The Great instead presents the narrative in a much more vibrant and engaging manner, providing a thrilling experience from beginning to end. While certain aspects of The Great stay true to historical accuracy, the series deliberately positions itself as "anti-historical," allowing for captivating deviations from the real story.
The Great Season 4 Latest News
In the latest update on The Great season 4, Elle Fanning discussed the potential for another season and what it could entail following the culmination of the third season's storyline. Fanning humorously acknowledged that historical accuracy was not a priority towards the end of season 3, which is characteristic of the show. The series has always taken liberties with history, and Nicholas Hoult's Peter the III met the same fate. Fanning commented, "It was inevitable." Creator Tony McNamara added a tongue-in-cheek remark, stating that "officially, he died due to hemorrhoids, but that didn't seem very dramatic" (via Crew Call with Anthony D'Alessandro).
When asked about the potential of The Great season 4, Fanning expressed optimism, saying, "We're eagerly anticipating it." Regarding Catherine the Great's journey in a hypothetical season 4, particularly her quest for independence, Fanning shared her thoughts. She explained that during Catherine's pregnancy in season 2, it provided her protection as nobody would dare harm the heir's mother. However, now that Paul has been born, Catherine perceives the baby as a threat and realizes she has numerous untrustworthy enemies in the royal court.
"Catherine is astute and cunning, and she remains aware of these circumstances... Tony and I haven't specifically discussed the direction of our next season, but I know he has a vision. You witness her transformation as she embraces her individuality and undertakes deeds she never would have considered before."
The Great Season 4 Is Not Confirmed
The Great Season 4 Release Date
Despite the immense popularity of the series, there has been no news about the fate of The Great season 4. Hulu, like other streaming platforms, remains tight-lipped about its viewership numbers. However, the fact that the series has been renewed for three seasons is a testament to its widespread appeal. Thankfully, fans won't have to wait for long to find out the future of the show after season 3. The Great season 1 premiered in May 2020, and just a few months later, in July of that same year, Hulu announced the renewal for season 2. With The Great season 3 set to release on May 12, 2023, an announcement regarding season 4 could potentially be made in July 2023.
In contrast to network programs with rigid annual schedules, streaming shows like The Great have the privilege of extending their productions to enhance quality. However, this may result in a longer wait for season 4 to be released. Given the production timeline of previous seasons, it seems highly unlikely that The Great season 4 will debut at the same time as season 3. Instead, it is more plausible that the release will align with season 2, which arrived well over a year after season 1. Based on this estimation, the earliest possible airing date for The Great season 4 would be around November 2024.
The Great Season 4 Cast
In terms of The Great season 3's historical context, only Catherine herself is guaranteed to return for The Great season 4. Despite the show's focus on the relationship between Catherine and Peter rather than historical accuracy, it was unexpected to learn that Hoult would not reprise his role as Peter III after his character's demise in the previous season. Additionally, Hoult portrayed another character, Yemelyan Pugachev, who also met his end. Sacha Dhawan, who played Orlo, will not be returning either, as his character died as well.
However, it is highly probable that familiar faces such as Phoebe Fox as Mariel, Gwilym Lee as Grigor, Adam Godley as Archie, Belinda Bromilow as Aunt Elizabeth, and Douglas Hodge as General Velementov will all reprise their roles in the season 4 cast. Charity Wakefield will also make a comeback as Georgina, who continues her scheming to seize the throne by expressing her desire to marry Catherine's baby boy and overthrow Catherine's rule. Bayo Gbadamosi as Arkady and Florence Keith-Roach as Tatyana are also expected to return.
The Great Season 4 Story Details
The Great season 4 has immense potential as it diverges from the actual historical account of Catherine the Great. In this upcoming season, the plot will delve into the death of Catherine's husband, Peter, which was previously explored in season 3. Although the circumstances surrounding the real Peter's death remain mysterious, the show portrayed him falling through the ice on a frozen lake while riding his horse. This unfortunate event puts Catherine in a challenging position as The Great season 4 unfolds.
The upcoming season will focus on Catherine's exhibition of power, a concept that began to manifest itself towards the conclusion of season 3. As one of Russia's most influential rulers, season 4 will showcase Catherine's journey towards establishing herself as such. Furthermore, Catherine must confront the precarious situation of her son being her heir, which places her own life in jeopardy, especially with constant schemes from figures like Georgina who are always plotting to seize power. Additionally, Catherine has an adversary in Archie, whom she had sentenced to be buried alive for his treachery, only for Marial to secretly intervene and save his life. As with previous seasons, The Great season 4 will revolve primarily around Catherine herself, delving into her complex legacy and the dynamics of her relationships with her fellow nobles.