Following the online revelation that Hulu has canceled the acclaimed historical drama The Great after three seasons, fans have taken to social media to express their sadness and frustration. The series, which featured a stellar cast composed of actors Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult, was a creative triumph, crafted by the talented Tony McNamara who not only created but wrote and executive produced the show.
The Great breathed new life into the period drama genre by providing a fresh perspective on the life of Catherine the Great, the legendary empress of Russia who reigned from 1762 to 1796. Through its unique storytelling approach, the show provided a new prism through which to view this iconic figure and her place in history.
Hulu Cancels The Great As Fans Express Their Disappointment
On May 12th, The Great's third season premiered with a focus on the struggles Catherine and Nicholas faced in their marriage. Despite receiving critical acclaim and seven Emmy nominations, including a win for Outstanding Period Costumes in 2022, the reasons for the show's cancellation remain unclear.
Fanning and Hoult's performances earned them their first Emmy nominations, while Fanning's portrayal of Catherine garnered her numerous accolades such as a SAG, Critics Choice, and Independent Spirit Award, as well as two Golden Globe nominations.
The finale of season 3 for The Great did not leave viewers hanging, as it concludes with Catherine's growth as a leader (paired with a stylish haircut) and a memorable dance to AC/DC. Fans took to X (formerly Twitter) in recent weeks to share their thoughts on the show's cancellation.
"Literally WHY, this was my favourite show," one fan wrote in response to the news as another added: "'No show is safe these days." Someone else commented: "An underapreciated great series, third season is one of the best of the year. That episode VI." One other replied: "I’m so sad it was a good show was ready for season 4."
Phoebe Fox, Adam Godley, Gwilym Lee, Charity Wakefield, Douglas Hodge, Sacha Dhawan, Bayo Gbadamosi, and Belinda Bromilow were among more notable actors who starred in The Great. The third season, which garnered greater praise than its predecessors, saw the demise of significant characters.
