It’s remarkable that director Jaffar Mahmood has never directed any episodes of Hulu’s The Great before season three. The Tony McNamara comedy series is one that Mahmood admits that he spent a good amount of time chasing, and we can see why. The Great is one of the most ambitious, well-made shows currently on television. The wait was well-spent, though, because Mahmood delivers a one-two punch in terms of greatness for season three.
Mahmood is a natural addition to the directing roster of The Great. He has spent a lot of time behind the camera of network sitcoms, but he was ready for something with more bite. For a show that has been heralded for its bigness and its ambition, there is a change brewing in the air–you can feel it. And that wind gathers strength in episodes five and six. Catherine fires Valementov. Peter has visions of his father. And then that fateful ice crossing…
When Mahmood found out what he was going to be directing, he felt the pressure. Peter’s death is a huge change for The Great, and Mahmood does some wily decisions with how he moves the camera. When Catherine sees her husband fall, the screen goes silent, and Mahmood introduces the tip of the iceberg (sorry, Peter…) of Catherine’s grief.
Sometimes the greatest comedy series shake things up by taking dramatic turns and adding new talent. Mahmood is a skilled director who easily fits into The Great‘s sense of naughtiness, but he can also ground a scene in a character’s mood. He’s a welcome addition to this world, and we cannot wait to see how he guides Catherine’s next chapter. Huzzah!
The Great is streaming now on Hulu.
