If you loved
The Great
Tony McNamara · Series · 2020
If you loved The Great, you crave stories where sharp-witted women navigate the treacherous, absurd power dynamics of royal courts.
Books on the same thread
The Queen's Fool
Philippa Gregory · Book · 2004
Shares a thread with The Great: Political Intrigue.
Much like Catherine in The Great, the protagonist here must survive a volatile royal environment, using her intelligence to navigate dangerous political rivalries and shifting loyalties within the court.
A Gentleman in Moscow: A Novel
Amor Towles · Book · 2017
Explores: Adaptation, Resilience, Loss of Innocence.
Fans of the historical atmosphere in The Great will appreciate this immersive look at Russian power structures, which mirrors the show's focus on individuals struggling against rigid, changing systems.
The Boleyn Inheritance
Philippa Gregory · Book · 2008
Shares 2 threads with The Great: Political Intrigue, Royal Court.
This narrative captures the same high-stakes marital politics found in The Great, following women forced to survive the whims of a powerful, unpredictable monarch within a dangerous royal court.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Taylor Jenkins Reid · Book · 2018
Explores: Hollywood Glamour, LGBTQ+ Identity, Hidden Love.
Evelyn Hugo’s ascent to power and her willingness to manipulate public perception recall the calculated ambition that defines the protagonist’s journey toward greatness in the world of The Great.
Films on the same thread
The Favourite
Yorgos Lanthimos · Film · 2018
Shares a thread with The Great: Political Intrigue.
This film shares the biting, satirical tone of The Great, focusing on the ruthless power struggles and complex female rivalries that occur behind the closed doors of an eighteenth-century court.
The Duchess
Saul Dibb · Film · 2008
Shares a thread with The Great: political intrigue.
The Duchess mirrors the experience of The Great by showcasing an aristocrat who defies societal expectations, proving that life within an oppressive marriage requires extreme political and personal cunning.
The Gentlemen
Guy Ritchie · Film · 2020
Explores: Criminal Underworld, Power Struggle, Blackmail.
While set in a different era, this story captures the same frantic energy and intricate power struggles found in The Great, where every character is constantly plotting a strategic move.
The Scarlet Empress
Josef von Sternberg · Film · 1934
Explores: Royal power struggle, Political transformation, Arranged marriage.
As a classic portrayal of the same historical figure, this film provides the essential context for Catherine’s transformation into a powerful leader, a journey central to the plot of The Great.
Podcasts on the same thread
Revolutions
Mike Duncan · Podcast · 2025
Explores: societal collapse, power dynamics, cyclical history.
For those fascinated by the political instability depicted in The Great, this podcast offers a deeper look at the cyclical patterns of power and societal collapse that define historical revolutions.
The Preamble
Sharon McMahon · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Critical thinking, Media literacy, Civic engagement.
If the political maneuvering in The Great piqued your interest in how power is exercised, this podcast provides the necessary clarity on the complex systems that govern our modern world.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Great based on actual history?
The Great is described as an anti-historical ride. While it follows the rise of Catherine the Great in 18th century Russia, the show intentionally bends historical facts to create its specific genre-bending narrative rather than serving as a strict documentary of the era.
What is the primary relationship dynamic in The Great?
The Great focuses on the explosive relationship between Catherine the Nothing and her husband Peter, who serves as the emperor of Russia. Their volatile dynamic drives the core narrative as Catherine works to transform her status and influence throughout the series.
What era does The Great take place in?
The Great is set in 18th century Russia. The series utilizes this historical backdrop to frame its unique, genre-bending story about the rise of Catherine the Great and her complex interactions with the Russian emperor, Peter.
Is The Great a straightforward historical drama?
No, The Great is a genre-bending production. It uses the setting of 18th century Russia to follow the rise of Catherine the Great, but it prioritizes an anti-historical approach to the story and the explosive relationship between Catherine and her husband, Peter.