TV's Best Period Dramas, Ranked
The 14 Best TV Period Dramas Ever — Yes, Including Bridgerton
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The Great has only been around for one season so far, but it has already established itself as a hilariously disruptive force in the world of period dramas. For starters, no one will ever call this mostly true story of Catherine the Great's rise to power stuffy. It's quite the opposite, in fact.
Whether Elle Fanning's Catherine is learning how to be even more cutthroat than her dim and cruel husband, Peter (played with an unrestrained glee by Nicholas Hoult), or embracing her sexual awakening courtesy of her lover (who in a delightful twist is "gifted" to her by Peter), her time at court is at once intense, enlightening, and sharply funny. And the best part is this show is just getting started.