Warning: This article contains spoilers from The Great season 3.
Fans of The Great were left in disbelief when the seemingly immortal and endlessly entertaining Peter III, played by Nicholas Hoult, met a sudden and icy demise in season 3. His final words, “Actually, I…”, hanging in the frigid air as the ice cracked beneath him, sparked countless theories and heartbroken reactions. Was it a change of heart? A sarcastic quip? Or simply Peter being Peter to the very end? The unexpected death of this central character has become a major talking point, leaving viewers to question, Why Did They Kill Off Peter In The Great?
Nicholas Hoult himself offers insight into this dramatic decision, revealing that the shocking nature of Peter’s death was entirely intentional. In this article, we delve into the reasons behind Peter’s departure, exploring the narrative purpose it serves and Hoult’s own emotional journey with saying goodbye to such a complex and beloved character.
The Prophetic Freak Death: Foreshadowing the Unpredictable
Interestingly, Hoult had previously predicted a bizarre end for Peter. Reflecting on a past interview, he acknowledges the almost prophetic nature of his earlier statement: “Maybe it’ll be a complete freak weird death, and it will leave everyone shocked and rocked by it because it was something that people didn’t want in that moment in terms of the characters.” This premonition, while not entirely conscious, speaks to the inherent unpredictability that showrunner Tony McNamara weaves into The Great.
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Nicholas Hoult as Peter in Season 3 of ‘The Great’, highlighting the unpredictability of his character’s fate.
When asked about his reaction to learning the specific details of Peter’s demise, Hoult shared that he wasn’t entirely surprised. “I don’t think I completely knew then. But perhaps [showrunner] Tony [McNamara] and I had spoken about it briefly. I don’t think I knew the ins and outs of how Peter died, but it felt very in keeping with Tony’s writing to keep it unpredictable, both physically in terms of what happens, but also emotionally.” This confirms that the element of surprise and the avoidance of a “clean cut and simple” resolution were central to the creative decision.
Embracing the Messy Truth: McNamara’s Unpredictable Genius
According to Hoult, the manner of Peter’s death, and its subsequent impact, is a testament to McNamara’s writing style. “And I think it was never going to be something that was going to be clean cut and simple to deal with. And that’s why I think it’s so beautiful about how he’s written Peter’s death, but also the kind of fallout from it and how it affects Catherine and everyone around us. Because it’s something that’s really pretty messy. And that’s the truth of it, I guess. And that’s what’s funny and bizarre and also heartbreaking about it, I think.”
This “messy” reality is what makes The Great so compelling. Life, especially royal life in 18th century Russia, is rarely neat and predictable. Peter’s death, in its sudden and somewhat absurd fashion, mirrors this chaotic truth. It’s not a heroic sacrifice or a villainous downfall, but a tragic accident born from stubbornness and perhaps, a flicker of change.
Doomed Love and Opposing Forces: The Core of Peter and Catherine’s Dynamic
The scene leading up to Peter’s death is laden with the complex dynamic between him and Catherine, portrayed brilliantly by Elle Fanning. Hoult emphasizes this, stating, “reading the script, the scene that builds up to Peter’s death, it so perfectly encapsulates everything that’s wonderful about [McNamara’s] writing, and that relationship and their dynamic throughout these years. And how they are just opposing forces, Catherine and Peter, and they have this love, but ultimately, the core of them as people is kind of doomed.”
Their relationship has always been a turbulent mix of love, manipulation, and ideological clashes. Catherine’s plea for Peter to abandon his reckless Swedish invasion plan highlights their fundamental differences. Peter’s stubborn refusal, followed by his ambiguous near-turnaround, underscores the tragic nature of their bond. They are drawn to each other, yet their core beliefs and desires constantly pull them apart, ultimately culminating in this devastating separation.
“Actually, I…”: Decoding Peter’s Final Ambiguity
The lingering question for many viewers is the meaning behind Peter’s incomplete final words. Was he about to recant his invasion plan? Declare his love anew? Or perhaps offer another offensive remark? Hoult acknowledges the deliberate ambiguity, mirroring McNamara’s playful suggestion that it could have been something as trivial as, “Actually, I think that terrine was great.”
However, Hoult leans towards a more profound interpretation: “In the moment for me, I was believing more the sense of ‘actually, I perhaps don’t need what I think I do, and I can figure a way to continue and work this for us’ and things like that. So that was perhaps what was going on in his brain at that point.” This suggests a potential turning point for Peter, a moment of realization that his pursuit of power and conquest was ultimately less important than his relationship with Catherine and perhaps, a simpler form of happiness. The tragedy lies in the fact that fate, or “nature,” intervenes just as this potential for change emerges.
Saying Goodbye: Hoult’s Emotional Farewell and Enthusiasm for the Future
For Nicholas Hoult, Peter was more than just a character; he was someone he “loved playing.” The emotional weight of Peter’s death was palpable during the read-through, as Hoult recounts, “Even through shooting and knowing it was coming, and when we did the read through, I think Elle and I both had like a box of tissues on our table while we were doing the read through. We were all miked up so you can hear everyone when they’re reading or whatever, and you could hear us sniffling through the microphone.”
Despite the sadness of saying goodbye to Peter, Hoult’s perspective shifted to excitement as he witnessed Elle Fanning’s performance in the aftermath of Peter’s death. “Then it gets back to this idea that I was then sat next to Elle and listening to her performance as Catherine from that moment on, and the energy she brought to it and how it transformed everything from the show then on, I was like, ‘Oh, this is fantastic.’ I was sitting there as a fan, and I was like, this is great. So then I was just excited about the prospect of it.” This highlights the narrative purpose of Peter’s death: to propel Catherine’s story forward and usher in a new chapter for The Great.
The Pugachev Palliative: A Temporary Reprieve
The introduction of Pugachev, Peter’s lookalike, offered a unique way for Hoult to remain part of the show. “That was the nice thing that softened the blow for me. I think if I finished that day [of Peter’s death], and that was it, I would have been fairly distraught, but it was kind of a softening of the blow for me that I got to go back occasionally as Pugachev and then do a little bit of that character. That kind of made me feel like I was still part of the family.”
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Douglas Hodge as Velementov, Nicholas Hoult as Peter, and Freddie Fox as King Hugo in a scene from ‘The Great’ season 3, showcasing Peter’s complex relationships.
However, playing Pugachev presented its own challenges. Hoult describes it as “gymnastics in my brain,” navigating the fine line between imitation and distinct characterization. Elle Fanning’s preference for Peter over Pugachev, as Hoult humorously notes, underscores the unique charm and complexity that Peter possessed. Ultimately, Pugachev’s own demise reinforces the finality of Peter’s absence, though the door for future, perhaps ghostly, appearances remains slightly ajar.
The Ghost of Peter and the Enduring Legacy
While Pugachev’s story is closed, the possibility of Peter returning as a ghost isn’t entirely dismissed. Hoult himself is open to the idea: “The ghost thing is interesting because obviously it’s something we’ve explored in the show before. Particularly for Peter this season, his father’s ghost coming back and influencing him is a big part of his downfall ultimately and what led him to that. So I think the fact that that happens in the show means that maybe the door is open, and I would happily go back and do some Peter ghosting, if it made sense, and that’s what Tony wanted.”
Whether as a ghost or simply through his lasting impact on Catherine and the narrative, Peter’s presence will undoubtedly continue to be felt in The Great. His death, while shocking and heartbreaking, serves as a pivotal moment, propelling the story into uncharted territory and solidifying The Great‘s reputation for bold, unpredictable storytelling. By understanding the reasons behind this dramatic decision, viewers can appreciate the artistry and intentionality behind Peter’s farewell, even as they mourn the loss of this uniquely captivating character.
