Peter the Great

Emperor of Russia and new husband to young Catherine, Peter rules by whim, appetite, and casual cruelty, utterly convinced of his own genius. He hunts, drinks, boasts, and expects worship as his due, treating his court like a plaything and his bride like a charming acquisition he hasn't bothered to understand.

Jason Isaacs plays tyranny as toddlerish delight, all sudden rages and childish glee, which makes Peter both monstrous and, infuriatingly, funny. The show never softens his cruelty, but Isaacs finds the absurd logic inside it, so you're laughing before you realize how appalling what you're laughing at actually is.