Hulu’s cancellation of the hit series “The Great” has left fans shocked and disappointed. Despite its A-list cast, multiple Emmy nominations, and rave reviews, the show has fallen victim to the era of cancellations and culls that has plagued the television industry.
“The Great,” created by Tony McNamara, who co-wrote “The Favourite,” follows the story of Catherine, played by Elle Fanning, as she navigates her marriage to Peter III, the grandson of Peter the Great. The show takes place in war-addled Russia in the 18th century and combines dark humor with historical events. Nicholas Hoult co-stars as Peter, a simple yet violent and idiotic character who underestimates his young wife.
What sets “The Great” apart from other historical series is its audaciousness and unpredictability. The show constantly surprises viewers by killing off central characters without warning, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty and excitement. It explores themes of sex, murder, betrayal, and ambition, while also delving into deeper topics such as class, education, politics, nationalism, and faith.
The cancellation of beloved series is often met with online outrage, but there is usually a reason behind it. In the case of “The Great,” it is unclear why the show did not garner enough viewership. It had great writing, acting, and visually stunning production design. The court of the Empress of All Russia in the 1760s was portrayed as a hotbed of sex, murder, and fabulous silliness, which may not have appealed to a wide audience. The show’s tonal shifts from sincerity to satire within a single scene may have also made it a hard sell.
Despite its cancellation, the end of season three provided a proper and conclusive ending for the show. Fans of McNamara’s work can look forward to seeing more of his talent in Yorgos Lanthimos’s delayed film “Poor Things.” However, the loss of “The Great” leaves a void in the television landscape, as it was a creative and inventive show that pushed the boundaries of storytelling.
Correction: This article previously stated that Catherine the Great was married to Peter the Great, but she was actually married to Peter III, his grandson.
Why did “The Great” fail to attract a larger audience despite its exceptional writing, outstanding performances, and visually stunning production design?
Hulu’s shocking decision to cancel the critically acclaimed series “The Great” has left fans devastated. Despite boasting an all-star cast, receiving multiple Emmy nominations, and receiving rave reviews, the show fell victim to the wave of cancellations and cutbacks that have plagued the television industry.
Created by Tony McNamara, the co-writer of “The Favourite,” “The Great” follows the captivating story of Catherine, portrayed brilliantly by Elle Fanning, as she navigates her tumultuous marriage to Peter III, the grandson of Peter the Great. Set against the backdrop of war-torn Russia in the 18th century, the show brilliantly combines dark humor with historical events. Nicholas Hoult shines as Peter, a simple-minded yet violent character who consistently underestimates his intelligent and resilient young wife.
What truly sets “The Great” apart from other historical dramas is its audacity and unpredictability. The show continuously surprises viewers by ruthlessly killing off central characters without warning, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty and excitement. It fearlessly delves into themes of sex, murder, betrayal, and ambition, while also exploring deeper topics such as class, education, politics, nationalism, and faith.
The cancellation of beloved shows often sparks online outrage, but there is usually a reason behind it. However, in the case of “The Great,” it remains unclear why the show failed to attract a larger audience. The series boasted exceptional writing, outstanding performances, and visually stunning production design. Perhaps its portrayal of the Empress of All Russia’s court in the 1760s as a hotbed of sex, murder, and delightful absurdity did not resonate with a wider audience. Additionally, the show’s ability to seamlessly transition between sincerity and satire within a single scene may have made it a challenging sell.
Although “The Great” may no longer continue, the conclusion of its third season provided a satisfying and definitive ending for the show. Fans of Tony McNamara’s brilliant work can eagerly anticipate his future projects, including Yorgos Lanthimos’s delayed film “Poor Things.” Nevertheless, the loss of “The Great” leaves a void in the television landscape, as the show was a testament to creative and innovative storytelling that pushed the boundaries of the medium.
Such a shame, this was such a fantastic show.
I can’t believe they cancelled it, it had such great potential.