The Great season 2, Hulu

Empress Catherine is heavily pregnant for most of the second season of this sort-of true story of the German Princess who modernised her adopted country in the 18th century. This has an effect on her emotions and decisions, particularly with regard to her husband and father of her child. She has deposed him as Emperor in a palace coup, but can’t bring herself to kill him and eliminate the threat he poses. A visit from her manipulative mother complicates everything, as does war with the Ottoman Empire. Catherine has made progress in her bid to bring enlightenment to Russia, but she still faces strong opposition among the nobles, who don’t want to lose any of their enormous privilege. This interesting take on history is enormously entertaining and visually sumptuous, with a sharp and funny script. The cast is top notch, with Dakota Fanning a delight as Catherine and Nicholas Hoult imbuing the monstrous Peter with humanity.