The character of Orlo appears to be loosely based on the similarly named real-life figure Grigory Orlov, who led the coup that overthrew Peter.
Nicholas Hoult was cast when the series' creator, Tony McNamara, saw Hoult rehearse for La favorita (2018). That film is similar to The Great as it is also a fast-paced, dark comedic, time period work.
Elle Fanning described how the team behind the show tried to make the sex scenes as realistic as possible. "We had an intimacy coordinator that was on set whenever we had those scenes, to make everyone feel good and make everything look real." The star also explained that she and Nicholas Hoult tried to make each other laugh during their intimate scenes. She laughed: "I think we both like to challenge ourselves, Nick and I, and we're trying to push each other's buttons and he's trying to make me laugh and trying to go there."
During an interview in Sept. 2020, Elle Fanning talked about how liberating it is to play Catherine, "The real Catherine the Great was very free sexually and people put her down for that. Sex is a big part of this show, and I was excited to explore that side of the work." She then added, "Personally, I love being naked. I walk around naked, like, all the time. It's a part of life!"