The Great’s unashamed revelry in messy, toxic relationships is just what we need right now A new period drama about Catherine the Great and the Emperor of Russia doesn't make them 'likeable' – that's why it's brilliant telly Nicholas Hoult and Elle Fanning in The Great Credit: Nick Wall Alongside outpourings of lust for Regé-Jean Page licking a spoon, the conversations about controversial relationships in Bridgerton are still very much a hot topic. So it seems sensible to warn anyone who found Bridgerton problematic that they are going to get a real shock if they give Channel 4’s new period drama a go.