Character Relationship Map: The Great

Characters

• Catherine II of Russia (played by Elle Fanning) — protagonist
• Peter III of Russia (played by Nicholas Hoult) — protagonist
• Marial (played by Phoebe Fox) — supporting
• Grigor Dymov (played by Gwilym Lee) — supporting
• General Velementov (played by Douglas Hodge) — supporting
• King Hugo (played by Freddie Fox) — minor
• Elizabeth Petrovna (played by Belinda Bromilow) — supporting
• Arkady (played by Bayo Gbadamosi) — supporting
• Georgina Dymova (played by Charity Wakefield) — supporting
• Tatyana (played by Florence Keith-Roach) — minor

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Peter III of Russia → Georgina Dymova (Lovers) — Their relationship is a romantic connection that contributes to tension at court.

  "S1 states that Georgina misses Peter and that Grigor struggles with Peter and Georgina's relationship."

• Catherine II of Russia → Peter III of Russia (Married couple and co-parents) — Their marriage binds together political rivalry, affection, and shared parenthood.

  "They marry in S1; Catherine launches a coup against Peter, and in S2 they co-parent Paul. In S3 they seek marriage guidance and clash over Paul."

• Marial → Grigor Dymov (Romantic partners) — Their relationship is publicly affectionate in S3.

  "In S3 Maxim takes issue with the public displays of affection between Grigor and Marial."

• Peter III of Russia → Elizabeth Petrovna (Aunt and nephew) — Elizabeth is Peter's aunt and a significant member of the royal court.

  "S1 identifies Elizabeth as Peter's aunt."

• Georgina Dymova → Grigor Dymov (Married couple) — They are closely connected within the court and are identified as a couple in the season summaries.

  "Their shared surname and the S1 account of Grigor struggling with Peter and Georgina's relationship establish their connection; the supplied summarie...

• Catherine II of Russia → Grigor Dymov (Court associates) — They are connected through court politics, though the summaries give limited detail about their direct interactions.

  "Grigor poisons Peter in S1, and Catherine's circle works toward the coup. The supplied S2 and S3 summaries place Grigor in court events but do not sp...

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Catherine II of Russia → General Velementov (Political and military allies) — Velementov's military support is important to Catherine's rise and rule, although his later ability to assist her falters.

  "Catherine seeks Velementov's support for the coup in S1, and he eventually backs her leadership. In S2 they begin ruling Russia together; in S3 regio...

• Catherine II of Russia → Marial (Coup allies and confidantes) — Marial helps launch Catherine's political challenge, but fear and self-interest fracture their alliance.

  "Marial proposes overthrowing Peter in S1 and helps Catherine plan the coup, but under pressure she reveals the plan to Archie and later betrays Cathe...

• Peter III of Russia → Grigor Dymov (Court companions) — Their court connection is marked by Grigor's involvement in Peter's private life and the attempt to poison him.

  "Grigor struggles with Peter's relationship with Georgina and poisons Peter in S1. In S3 Grigor befriends Maxim, while the summaries do not state a ne...

• Catherine II of Russia → Elizabeth Petrovna (Court allies) — Elizabeth is a recurring court presence whose connection to Catherine includes support, visits, and disagreement over Paul's future.

  "Elizabeth accompanies Catherine to the military front in S1 and later visits her in S2, where Catherine tries to conceal the court's problems. In S3...

• Arkady → Tatyana (Court collaborators) — They jointly assist the royal couple during a difficult period.

  "In S3 Arkady and Tatyana help Peter and Catherine through a rough patch."

• General Velementov → Peter III of Russia (Political opponents) — Velementov's support for Catherine places him on the opposing side of Peter's political struggle.

  "Velementov is recruited to support Catherine's coup against Peter in S1 and later backs Catherine's leadership."

• Catherine II of Russia → King Hugo (Rival rulers) — Their interests are connected through the instability of a neighboring kingdom and Catherine's diplomatic concerns.

  "In S3 Catherine tries to persuade Peter to come home while Hugo renews his attempts to regain his kingdom."

• Catherine II of Russia → Georgina Dymova (Court rivals) — Their court connection includes competing interests around Peter and later cooperation on a court event.

  "Georgina misses Peter during Catherine's S1 relationship with him, and in S3 she continues playing complicated court games while helping Catherine st...

• Peter III of Russia → Tatyana (Court allies) — Tatyana is among those who help the royal couple during a difficult period.

  "In S3 Tatyana and Arkady help Peter and Catherine through a rough patch."

Story Analysis

Across three seasons, Catherine's pursuit of a different Russia develops alongside her struggle with Peter, court politics, and the demands of parenthood.

Plot Progression

1. Season 1: The Coup Takes Shape — Catherine arrives in Russia, marries Peter, and discovers how far their values diverge. With Marial's proposal, she builds a coup, gathers supporters, and faces betrayal as the struggle for power begi...
2. Season 1: Loyalties Tested — Catherine's connection with Leo and her hopes for peaceful coexistence complicate her political plans. Poisoning, renewed court conflict, and the threat to Leo push her toward an open fight for the th...
3. Season 2: Rule and Resistance — Catherine's coup advances and a new rule begins, but grief, court resistance, and political tensions challenge her authority. Her attempt to force change through a joke has tragic consequences.
4. Season 2: Parenthood and Reckoning — Catherine faces doubts about her reign as she prepares for Paul's birth and manages the court. She and Peter co-parent, search for their missing son, and arrive at a final showdown after a devastating...
5. Season 3: Reform and Family — Catherine and Peter seek guidance while Catherine pursues political change and confronts foreign and regional pressures. Their disagreements over Paul bring family and power into direct conflict.
6. Season 3: Leadership and Destiny — Catherine stages new court events, introduces divorce, and tests her own sense of destiny. The approaching comet becomes part of the challenge through which she discovers a new side of her leadership.