Viewers of a TV drama about the life of Russian empress Catherine the Great were left shocked by the violence against women shown in the programme last night.
The hit series The Great is currently airing on Channel 4 and details the marriage between Catherine, who ruled Russia between 1762 and 1796, and her second cousin, Peter III, whom she overthrew in a coup d’etat.
During last night s episode, Peter, played by Nicholas Hoult, joked about punching Catherine, portrayed by Elle Fanning, as well as having her murdered, saying: I could kill her and start again. Why is no one excited by this idea?