ELLE FANNING REIGNS IN ‘ THE GREAT’ ON HULU,

For those who loved 2018’ s critically acclaimed raunchy satirical period piece “The Favourite,” co- writer Tony McNamara is back as creator of Hulu’s “The Great,” also a critically acclaimed raunchy satirical period piece, this time centering on a barely true retelling of Empress Catherine the Great’s introduction into Russian royal life.

New to Russia, Catherine ( Elle Fanning) is an idealist, set on spearheading the country’s education policy and eager to please her husband, Emperor Peter III ( Nicholas Hoult). She quickly discovers he’s not only a dolt but a sadistic one, and the two begin to plot against each other.

The jokes are acerbic and profanities abundant, but as the season progresses, so grows the series’ heart. Fanning’s

performance in particular carries “The Great,” wrote Los Angeles Times critic Robert Lloyd in his review.

“The dialogue is crisp and a little eccentric, the performances impeccable, the production first- rate, Nathan Barr’s score subtly arresting,” wrote Lloyd. “Above all there is Fanning, a porcelain figurine come to complicated life, who grounds the series even as she seems to float through it.” Out now on DVD.

Also new on DVD

■ “Cut Throat City”: A group of friends plan a heist in post- Hurricane Katrina New Orleans. Stars Shameik Moore, T. I., Wesley Snipes, Terrence Howard and Ethan Hawke.

■ “Going Attractions”: The Definitive Story of the Movie Palace”: Documentary explores the history of moviegoing.

■ “No Escape”: An influencer and his friends wind up in danger after heading to Moscow to film new content. Stars Holland Roden, Ronen Rubinstein and Keegan Allen.

■ “The Vanished”: A devastated couple ( Anne Heche and Thomas Jane) on vacation search for their missing daughter.

Out on digital HD

■ “The Amityville Harvest”: A documentary film crew faces a subject who uses dark magic against them.

■ “Monster Force Zero”: A group of cosplayers obtain actual superpowers to fight aliens.

COURTESY Elle Fanning stars in “The Great,” which is on Hulu and available on DVD.