Elle Fanning’s 3-Part Dark Comedy Series Is So Good, You Can Rewatch It Multiple Times

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Even though it doesn’t always get the history right, the show starring Elle Fanning is one of the most hilarious dark comedies of recent years. Throughout her career, Elle Fanning has proven herself to be a talented actress, effortlessly moving between funny, lighthearted roles and more serious, dramatic performances.

Elle Fanning consistently moves between popular, mainstream movies and more artistic, independent films. From projects like Mary Shelley (2017) and The Neon Demon (2016) to upcoming films like Sentimental Value and Predator: Badlands (both 2025), she demonstrates a remarkable ability to succeed in diverse genres. Her acclaimed Hulu series, The Great, perfectly exemplifies this, blending historical comedy with dramatic depth over three seasons.

Elle Fanning’s The Great Performance Is One of Her Best Roles Ever

With the playful disclaimer An Occasionally True Story, The Great dramatizes the life of Catherine the Great and her rise to power as Russia’s longest-reigning female leader. While the show is based on the historical fact that Catherine overthrew her husband, Emperor Peter III, and ruled for 34 years, it takes many creative liberties with the actual events.

Luckily, the three-season run of The Great is excellent. Starting with an 87% rating on Rotten Tomatoes for its first season, the show improved to a perfect 100% for both seasons two and three. The Great truly lived up to its name, offering a bold and imaginative take on the relationship between Catherine and Peter.

Both Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult received nominations for their leading roles in a comedy series thanks to their work on the show, and it’s clear why. While the entire supporting cast of The Great is excellent, and later seasons featured great guest stars like Julian Barratt and Gillian Anderson, Fanning and Hoult are truly the show’s biggest assets.

The Great’s Critical Acclaim Makes The Show’s 3-Season Run Unfortunate

The clashes between Catherine and Peter are consistently funny, and the show’s surprising twists and turns come from their willingness to betray and deceive each other. While The Great has a similar darkly comedic style to Tony McNamara’s 2018 film The Favourite, it feels less overly dramatic.

While some satirical shows become more serious as they go on, The Great stays wonderfully funny and lighthearted for all three seasons. It’s a shame the show didn’t last longer, but The Great is still worth watching if you’re looking for a clever and amusing comedy that doesn’t take history too seriously.

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2026-04-01 01:18