Joanna Elisabeth Holstein Gottorp is the overarching antagonist in The Great. Joanna is a glamorous socialite from Germany, sometimes also known as the “maestro of marriage” for her abilities to arrange high profile partnerships for her daughters. She has heard rumors of her daughter’s coup and come to Russia to see it for herself. Though the apple of Catherine’s eye and a doting mother, it soon becomes clear Joanna has more sinister intentions to save her family’s reputation.