Hulu Renews ‘The Great’ for Season 3: Cast Reactions and Everything We Know So Far
Empress Catherine’s reign at Hulu isn’t over yet. The streaming service has ordered a third season of The Great, its irreverent period drama starring Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult.
‘The Great’ Season 3 is coming
The Great tells the “occasionally true story” of Catherine the Great of Russia (Fanning) and her husband, Emperor Peter (Hoult). The Emmy-nominated show premiered in 2020; a second season dropped in November 2021.
Now, Hulu is moving forward with The Great Season 3. A 10-episode season is in the works, TVLine reported. But fans may have to wait a while to see those new episodes; no premiere date has yet been announced.
The Great Season 1 followed the German princess Catherine as she adjusted to life in Russia and plotted a coup against her husband. In season 2, she grappled with the consequences of seizing the throne and her changing relationship with Peter.
Elle Fanning and other ‘The Great’ cast react to renewal news
Several members of The Great cast took to social media to react to the renewal news.
“THIS CALLS FOR A BIG HUZZAH! We’ll be returning for a season 3!!!!!” Fanning wrote on Instagram after the renewal was announced.
“Crazy delighted about this glass smashing news,” Belinda Bromilow, who plays Peter’s eccentric aunt Elizabeth, wrote in an Instagram post.
“Ecstatic to share that @thegreathulu Season 3 is green lit! #HUZZZAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!,” Charity Wakefield, who plays Georgina, a member of the Russian court (and Peter’s sometimes-lover), wrote on her Instagram. “Watch out, Georgina’s coming for you ALL!!!! Waaa hahhahahaha! (Disclaimer: I have no idea what the plot will be I just like the photos it’s kind of witchy!) CANNOT WAIT to get back on set with our incredible team! Woop woop!!”
In addition to Fanning, Bromilow, and Wakefield, returning cast for The Great Season 3 include Nicholas Hoult, Phoebe Fox, Adam Godley, Gwilym Lee, Douglas Hodge, Sacha Dhawan, and Bayo Gbadamosi.
What to expect from the next season of ‘The Great’
The Great isn’t known for sticking too close to historical fact, so predicting what might happen in season 3 is a bit tricky. But there are a few hints on where things could go following the dramatic season 2 finale.
In that episode, Catherine’s brewing conflict with the Ottomans came to a head during a one-on-one meeting between her and the Sultan. After he pinned her hand to a table with his knife, she stabbed him in the neck. Then, Aunt Elizabeth appeared and finished him off with a well-aimed shot. That got Catherine out of a sticky situation, but killing the Sultan will surely have repercussions.
Season 2 also ended with the Empress’s loyal general Velementov (Hodge) arresting some of Peter’s allies, who were plotting a coup. Surprisingly, one of the arrestees was Catherine’s friend Marial (Fox). Marial already betrayed Catherine once, at the end of season 1. Will Catherine forgive her a second time?
Finally, there was that big moment in the episode’s final moments. After publicly forgiving Peter for his role in her mother’s death, she pays a visit to his apartment, where she stabs him in the back. Or, she thinks she’s stabbed him in the back. She’s actually attacked Peter’s double, Pugachev. When the real Peter appears, she runs into his arms.
Catherine’s relieved that Peter isn’t actually dead. But can their fragile relationship survive the assassination attempt? And what of Pugachev, who isn’t actually dead either? He could end up playing a bigger role in season 3. The character is drawn from a historical figure of the same name who led a peasant revolt while impersonating Peter III. The next season of The Great could borrow some aspects of the real Pugachev’s story and have him leading a revolt against Catherine while pretending to be her husband.
The Great Seasons 1 and 2 are currently streaming on Hulu.
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