Is Peter Really Dead in the Great? Who Plays Peter in the Great?
by A Maria | Updated Jun 24, 2023
The Great TV Series
The Great is a historical and satirical comedy-drama TV series that takes inspiration from the ascent of Catherine the Great, the Empress of All Russia. The show, titled onscreen as "The Great: An Occasionally True Story" and later as "The Great: An Almost Entirely Untrue Story," follows a loose narrative based on historical events. Elle Fanning portrays the lead roles as Empress Catherine II and Nicholas Hoult as Emperor Peter III.
The series is primarily created and written by Tony McNamara, an Australian playwright, and screenwriter, who adapted his own 2008 play of the same name for the show. It's important to note that The Great does not strive for historical accuracy and is described by Hulu as an "anti-historical" production, embracing a satirical approach.
Is Peter Really Dead in The Great?
Peter is dead in The Great Season 3. On a frozen lake, Catherine finds herself intercepting Peter's advance into Sweden. Peter bravely rides his horse across the icy expanse to speak with his wife. Aware of the consequences, Catherine employs every persuasive tactic at her disposal, desperately trying to convince Peter to call off the invasion. However, Peter remains resolute and refuses to yield.
In a surprising turn of events, Peter unexpectedly declares his love for Catherine and begins his journey back across the frozen lake. But halfway through, something changes within him. Overwhelmed by a sudden change of heart, Peter decides to turn back, seemingly willing to reconsider. However, tragedy strikes in an instant. The weight of both the horse and the King proves too much for the fragile ice to bear. The frozen surface shatters, plunging Peter into the frigid waters below.
With a frantic urgency, Grigor rushes to save him, but his efforts prove futile. Peter becomes entangled with the horse and swiftly descends to the lake's unforgiving depths. In a state of shock, Catherine orders a hasty retreat to the Palace, haunted by the devastating loss. Across the lake, Hugo, observing the entire tragedy through a telescope, remains undeterred. Despite the heart-wrenching event, he persists on his journey towards Stockholm, driven by his own motivations.
Who Plays Peter in The Great?
Nicholas Hoult portrays Emperor Peter III in the series. Nicholas Caradoc Hoult, born on December 7, 1989, is a talented English actor with a diverse range of performances under his belt. His extensive filmography encompasses both supporting roles in high-budget mainstream productions and leading roles in independent projects within the American and British film industries.
Throughout his career, Hoult has garnered recognition for his exceptional talent, earning him numerous accolades. Notable achievements include nominations for a British Academy Film Award, two Golden Globe Awards, and a Primetime Emmy Award. His remarkable skills and contributions to the industry were also acknowledged when he was included in Forbes' prestigious 30 Under 30 list in 2012.
Hoult's dedication to his craft and his ability to seamlessly embody diverse characters have made him a highly sought-after actor in both commercial and artistic endeavors. With his exceptional performances and notable achievements, Hoult continues to make a significant impact on the world of film and television.
Did They Really Kill off Peter in The Great?
Yes, it seems that they really did Kill off Peter in The Great. The third season of the series unfolds with Peter and Catherine grappling with the aftermath of Catherine's failed assassination attempt on her husband, a decision she deeply regrets. In an unexpected twist, instead of striking Peter, she mistakenly stabs Pugachev, a lookalike hired for the purpose. The season opener portrays a shaken couple seeking therapy to navigate through their past mistakes, grievances, and tumultuous events of the previous seasons in order to start anew.
Despite the challenges they face, Catherine's profound love for Peter inspires her to turn the page and continue her mission to modernize Russia while maintaining loyalty within the court. However, her efforts to establish equality among the serfs, merchants, and nobles proved to be more divisive than unifying. Tensions escalate further when Catherine and Peter clash over the decision to designate their son Paul as the next Emperor.
Peter, burdened by the fear that his subordinate status and perceived lack of legacy will negatively impact Paul's upbringing, begins to doubt his position. Eventually, influenced by Sweden's former King Hugo and Velementov, Catherine's former right-hand man and leader of the army, Peter succumbs to temptation and plots to seize Russia's army for an invasion of Scandinavia.
As Peter, Hugo, and Velementov march towards Sweden, Catherine, accompanied by Peter's closest friend Grigor, embarks on a mission to reason with her husband. Standing atop a frozen lake, Catherine implores Peter to return home and reconcile, but he remains resolute in his course of action. With heartfelt declarations of love for Catherine and their son, Peter resumes his journey across the icy expanse.
However, just as he has a change of heart and attempts to turn back, tragedy strikes—the ice beneath him gives way, plunging Peter and his horse into the frigid depths. In a single devastating moment, Peter III is lost, leaving Catherine and those around them shattered by the sudden and heartbreaking turn of events.
Is Catherine Going to Be Okay?
Peter's demise marked a significant turning point for the series, but it also paved the way for Elle Fanning to deliver a remarkable portrayal of grief and madness. Catherine, deeply affected by the tragedy that unfolded on the ice, finds herself consumed by overwhelming sorrow and the immense pressure accumulated over the past two seasons. In this fragile state, she spirals into a state of mental shock.
In her mind, Catherine convinces herself that what she witnessed was a figment of her imagination, and that Peter simply rode across the lake towards Sweden. To the bewilderment of Grigor, Catherine returns to the palace and embraces this delusion, playing it out before the court. She orchestrates an extravagant party, making impulsive decisions like legalizing divorce and gradually unraveling in front of her friends and advisors.
Catherine's facade crumbles as her inner turmoil manifests outwardly, leaving those close to her concerned and uncertain of how to support her. This portrayal showcases Fanning's incredible talent as she delves into the depths of Catherine's shattered psyche, capturing the complexities of grief and the toll it takes on her mental well-being.
The depiction of Catherine's descent into madness not only adds a layer of artistic brilliance to the show but also serves as a poignant exploration of the human psyche in the face of profound loss and overwhelming circumstances.
The Future of 'The Great': Exploring the Implications Moving Forward
In the realm of screenwriting, it is often advised not to eliminate beloved main characters simply for the sake of shock value. Killing off a central figure in a successful series like The Great might typically be perceived as a misstep. However, the decision to conclude Peter's story in such a manner is a stroke of genius that both enriches and complicates the narrative of the season. The impact of this choice hinges on one crucial fact: Catherine was destined to rule alone from the beginning.
Historically, Catherine's successful coup against her husband unfolded swiftly, resulting in Peter III's imprisonment for six months before his eventual demise. It was during his captivity that Catherine ascended to the throne as the sole ruler of Russia, earning the illustrious title of "The Great." This historical context underscores the significance of Peter's demise in the series, as it aligns with the predetermined course of Catherine's destiny and ultimate triumph.
Is Peter Really Dead in The Great - FAQs
The events in the series suggest that Peter meets a tragic fate.
Nicholas Hoult portrays Emperor Peter III in the series.
Yes, the third season sees the aftermath of Catherine's failed assassination attempt on Peter. Instead of striking him, she mistakenly stabs a lookalike, Pugachev. This event sets off a series of consequences and conflicts. Eventually, Peter decides to seize Russia's army and invade Sweden, leading to a fateful moment on a frozen lake where Peter meets his demise.
Following Peter's tragic death, Catherine experiences profound grief and enters a state of mental shock. She begins to believe that what she witnessed was a figment of her imagination, leading her to play out a delusion in court. Catherine's mental state deteriorates, and she becomes visibly undone in front of her friends and advisors. Elle Fanning delivers a powerful portrayal of Catherine's descent into madness and the toll it takes on her well-being.
The decision to end Peter's story in such a manner adds depth and complexity to the series. It aligns with the historical context, where Catherine's successful coup against her husband led to her ascension as the sole ruler of Russia. By exploring Catherine's journey to rule alone, the show delves into the predetermined course of her destiny and ultimate triumph as "The Great."