SEASON two of Channel 4's unique spin on the tale of Catherine The Great has hit our screens.
Here's everything you need to know about The Great – from the cast of this comedy to when you can watch it.
Who is in the cast of The Great?
The Great is a comedy-drama series that is very loosely based on Russian ruler Catherine the Great’s rise to power.
The Great follows Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia, from her time as an outsider in Russian politics – through her marriage to Peter III and her monumental rise to power.
So who is in the cast of this anti-historical period programme?
Elle Fanning
Elle Fanning is an American actress, who plays Empress Catherine in The Great – a role she has earned a number of awards for.
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She received a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series nomination – as well as two Golden Globe Awards for Best Actress, Television Series Musical or Comedy nominations.
She made her debut into the world of film in 2001 as a child actress – when she starred in the drama film I am Sam.
As a child actress she made a name for herself in the industry, after appearing in several films – including Babel, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Phoebe in Wonderland.
Since then her career has gone from strength to strength and so has her list of box office castings – including We Bought a Zoo, Maleficent and Maleficent: Mistress of Evil.
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She now chooses to work in independent cinema collaborating with auteurs in lead and supporting roles in films.
Nicholas Hoult
Nicholas Hoult is an English actor who plays Peter III – Catherine The Great's drunken husband.
Hoult also plays the additional role of Pugachev, one of Peter’s doubles.
Pugachev takes his name from a historical figure who led an uprising against Catherine after Peter’s death and claimed he was Peter himself.
He is best known for his role as Tony in the gritty teen drama Skins.
During his career he has been involved in supporting work in big-budget mainstream productions and starring roles in independent projects – in both the American and the British film industries.
Like Fanning, Hoult made his debut as a child actor – after being cast in the 1996 film Intimate Relations.
Since then he has starred in a number of titles – including, A Single Man, Clash of the Titans, X-Men: First Class and The Favourite.
Douglas Hodge
Douglas Hodge plays Velementov – a stand-in figure for the historical importance of the military to Russian governance.
His character is portrayed as a drunk and a failure who uses alcohol to cope with the deaths of the men he had lost in battle.
The English actor, director and musician trained for the stage at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art – he is also a member of the council of National Youth Theatre.
He has starred in a number of theatre titles including – No Man's Land, Moonlight and The Caretaker.
He is also a famous face in the world of TV, after appearing in a number of shows including – Behaving Badly, Only Fools and Horses and Outnumbered.
Gillian Anderson
American Actress, Gillian Anderson plays Joanna – Catherine's mother.
Anderson’s cameo is based upon Catherine the Great’s actual mother Johanna Elizabeth of Holstein-Gottorp.
Her credits include The X-Files, The House of Mirth and The Fall.
She is also a familiar face on Netflix – after appearing in the hit shows Sex Education and The Crown.
She was the second actress after Meryl Streep -to portray British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher in a major production.
Who else is in the cast?
As Catherine and Peter are back in The Great season 2 – so are a number of other characters and some surprising cameos as make an appearance.
- Sacha Dhawan as Orlo
- Phoebe Fox as Marial
- Belinda Bromilow as Elizabeth
- Charity Wakefield as George
- Gwilym Lee as Grigor
- Adam Godley as Archie
- Bayo Gbadamosi as Arkady
- Florence Keith-Roach as Tatyana
- Jason Isaacs as Peter The Great
- Julian Barratt as Doctor Vinodel
- Jane Mahady as Katya Velcra
- Ali Ariaie as Raskolvy
- Ninette Finch as Shakey
- Freddie Fox as King Hugo
- Grace Molony as Queen Agnes
- Anthony Welsh as Father Basil
- Roman Tikaram as Uncle Varnya
- Danusia Samal as Lady Sveska
- Raphael Acloque as Ambassador Sunduk
- Billy Postlethwaite as The Sultan
When is The Great on Channel 4?
Season two of The Great premiered on Channel 4 on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 – at 10pm.
A new episode will air on Channel 4 every week at the same time.
The Great season two is also available on Hulu.
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