The Great: Season 1

2020 · 10 episodes · ★ 7.4

What Season 1 of The Great

The season kicks off when Catherine arrives in Russia as a foreigner to marry Emperor Peter. She soon discovers that her husband is selfish, cruel and surrounded by courtiers who only look out for themselves. Catherine has no intention of sitting on the sidelines. With the help of Marial, her maid, she starts plotting a coup and winning allies in the palace, such as the intellectual Orlo. The series is a black comedy that pokes fun at the court and its customs. Elle Fanning plays Catherine and Nicholas Hoult plays Peter III, in an explosive couple relationship.

10episodes

May 15, 2020Premiered

8.7 hrtotal runtime

Season 1 Episodes

1x01 The Great
May 15, 2020 · 52 min · ★ 8.5
In 1761, Catherine travels to Russia and becomes the Empress by marrying the Emperor of Russia, Peter. With hopes of marrying a great love, Catherine soon realizes Peter is a selfish brat who stands against everything she values. Catherine is feeling hopeless and verging on suicide when her servant, Marial, presents her with an alternative path – to overthrow Peter.
Directing: Matt Shakman · Writing: Tony McNamara · Starring: Liv Hill, Liam Fleming, Jordan Kagaba, Kemi-Bo Jacobs
1x02 A Fake Beard
May 15, 2020 · 55 min · ★ 7.8
Catherine takes her first steps toward a coup. Taking advice from Marial, she attempts to seduce and recruit palace intellectual Count Orlo. It's a disaster. However, after seeing Peter's brutal treatment of local nobles and unwillingness to listen, he decides to join Catherine's coup.
Directing: Colin Bucksey · Writing: Tony McNamara · Starring: Florence Keith-Roach, Grace Chilton, Kemi-Bo Jacobs, Louis Hynes
1x03 And You Sir, Are No Peter the Great
May 15, 2020 · 51 min · ★ 6.6
Catherine, Orlo and Marial continue their coup planning. They try to recruit an unhappy military general, Velementov, for their cause during palace celebrations honoring Peter's late father, Peter the Great. Peter, noting Catherine's unhappiness at court, gifts Catherine a sterile lover, Leo. She's hesitant at first, but Leo manages to charm her.
Directed by: Bertie, Bert · Written by: Tony McNamara · Starring: Florence Keith-Roach, Kemi-Bo Jacobs, Asheq Akhtar, Charlie Price
1x04 Moscow Mule
May 15, 2020 · 52 min · ★ 6.9
Catherine tries to manage her reputation at court and her relationship with Leo, both of which distract her from the coup. Meanwhile, the influential Patriarch of the church dies, and a new one must be chosen. Orlo sees an opportunity to try and influence Peter in the decision, and Archie makes moves.
Directing: Bertie, Bert · Writing: Tony McNamara, Tess Morris · Starring: Florence Keith-Roach, John Sessions, Kemi-Bo Jacobs, Mark Ramsay
1x05 War and Vomit
May 15, 2020 · 50 min · ★ 7.4
As the war with Sweden continues to rage, Catherine and Aunt Elizabeth visit the military at the Russian front. Seeing the soldiers reminds Catherine of her goal to rule Russia differently. Grigor struggles with Peter and Georgina's relationship and poisons Peter to end it. When Peter falls ill, Velementov, Orlo, and Marial all try to influence Catherine's steps toward takeover as Peter's life hangs in the balance.
Directing: Ben Chessell · Writing: James Wood · Starring: Florence Keith-Roach, Miles Jupp, Christianne Oliveira, Tristan Beint
1x06 Parachute
May 15, 2020 · 55 min · ★ 7.0
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.
Directing: Ben Chessell · Writing: Tony McNamara · Starring: Florence Keith-Roach, Dan Wyllie, Asheq Akhtar, Natalie Dew
1x07 A Pox on Hope
May 15, 2020 · 51 min · ★ 6.9
Catherine feels optimistic about peaceful coexistence with Peter and their increasing chemistry. When smallpox breaks out in the servant's quarters, however, Peter reverts to his old ways. Meanwhile, Leo and Catherine's relationship suffers and Georgina misses Peter.
Directing: Colin Bucksey · Writing: Tony McNamara, Gretel Vella · Starring: Louis Hynes, Lorenzo Vigevano, Jordan Kagaba, Sebastian de Souza
1x08 Meatballs at the Dacha
May 15, 2020 · 51 min · ★ 7.8
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 Swedish king. Velementov finally sees the potential of her leadership and decides to support the coup. Back at the palace, Leo wants to leave court. Marial tries to keep him there by telling him about the coup.
Directing: Colin Bucksey · Writing: Tony McNamara · Starring: Florence Keith-Roach, Grace Molony, Freddie Fox, Blake Harrison
1x09 Love Hurts
May 15, 2020 · 54 min · ★ 7.4
Tensions mount as Catherine, Orlo, Velementov, Leo, and Marial try to get regional counts on board with the coup. A few of the men end up killed. When a body is discovered later, Peter decides to torture everyone at the palace to find the murderous traitors. Marial buckles under the pressure and confides in Archie about Catherine's plans. Catherine realizes she is pregnant.
Directing: Geeta Patel · Writing: Tony McNamara · Starring: Florence Keith-Roach, James Smith, Sebastian de Souza, Christophe Tek
1x10 The Beaver's Nose Season Finale
May 15, 2020 · 51 min · ★ 7.5
Catherine's decides to move forward with the coup on her birthday. Peter isn't so easily overcome and holds Leo hostage as collateral. In exchange for a return to her status, Marial betrays Catherine to Peter and tells him that she is pregnant. Catherine realizes that the only chance for a greater Russia is to fight, without Leo. The battle begins.
Directing: Geeta Patel · Writing: Tony McNamara · Starring: Florence Keith-Roach, Sebastian de Souza, Stewart Scudamore, Danusia Samal