We go behind the scenes of the opulent period romp The Great in this live-streamed chat with the series creator and showrunner, and its costume designer.
To celebrate the stunning costumes from The Great going on display in our centrepiece exhibition, The Story of the Moving Image, join ACMI Curator Jini Maxwell for a chat with the show’s creator and showrunner Tony McNamara, and its costume designer Sharon Long.
In this special online discussion, we learn how fact and fiction combine to produce The Great. We explore the relationship between character development and costume design, and take a look at contemporary issues through the lens of the 18th Century Russian Court.
Meet our guests
Tony McNamara
In 2018 Tony wrote and produced the pilot for the comedy-drama TV series The Great (starring Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult) which is based on his stage play of the same name. The first season comprised of 10 episodes, each one hour long, and was screened in 2020. Tony was nominated for an Emmy in 2020 for Outstanding Writing on a Comedy Series and The Great was nominated for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy at the Golden Globes. The second season premiered in November 2021 and a third series is in the works.
About Sharon Long
Sharon Long is a London-based costume designer with credits on several acclaimed films, including Gangs Of New York, Elizabeth: The Golden Age and Guardians Of The Galaxy. Most recently, she did the costume design for Season 2 of The Great.
Explore works from The Great in our centrepiece exhibition
See these works and more in person
The Story of the Moving Image
FREE Exhibition | Open daily
Journey through the past, present and future of the moving image through interactive experiences and captivating stories.
The Great: from stage to screen
Writer/director Tony McNamara charts the evolution of The Great from stage to streaming, crafting great characters and the freedom of historical inaccuracy.
