The Regime is a political satire miniseries starring Kate Winslet in the lead role. The six-episode series recently wrapped up its run on HBO. Therefore, series creator Will Tracy sat down for a detailed discussion and broke down several important moments from the shocking finale.
In an interview, Tracy discussed the show’s ending, revealing other plans he had crafted for the story. Tracy revealed a much darker fate for Winslet’s character in the finale and also explained why he decided to change the creative direction. Here is everything Tracy said about the ending of The Regime.
Kate Winslet’s The Regime Creator Will Tracy Reveals Alternate Ending For the HBO Series
The Regime premiered on HBO on March 3, 2024, and received mostly positive reviews, with Kate Winslet’s performance receiving widespread praise. In the series, Winslet plays Elena, a chancellor whose authoritarian regime is crumbling. The series aired its finale on April 7, 2024.
After the finale, creator Will Tracy spoke with Entertainment Weekly and discussed various aspects of the story. During the interview, Tracy addressed the alternate ending that he had initially planned for Winslet’s character in the series.
“My initial early version of it was a bit like the end of [Romanian dictator] Ceaușescu’s regime — where she’s on the run and they nab her and it’s a very quick, hastily convened tribunal, and then she’s hanged in the town square or whatever.”
Tracy made the above statement explaining the darker fate for Elena and the politically tumultuous storyline he originally envisioned. However, Tracy revealed that he later abandoned the bleak idea in favor of Elena surviving but being forever scarred by her experience. At the same time, Tracy felt resetting the political power game in the finale would closely mirror real-world politics.
Will Tracy Breaks Down the Actual Ending of The Regime
During The Regime‘s finale, Elena and her close confidant and love interest Zubak make a run for their lives as the palace is breached. However, the duo is quickly captured and faces a certain doom. In a last-ditch effort to hold on to her power, Elena sacrifices Zubak and agrees to the demands of the ministers.
In the same interview, Tracy broke down the ending, particularly Elena’s decision to sacrifice Zubak whose influence on the palace’s affair had only grown stronger and unhinged.
“He’s sacrificed on the altar of regional political strategy. The arrangement that she had at the very beginning, which made her feel placated and secure, ultimately is the only relationship via which she can survive.”
Tracy made the above statement highlighting how autocrats seem to care most about their survival, particularly keeping hold of their political power. Tracy also revealed that as the dynamics of her relationship with Zubak changed, Elena was okay with sacrificing him.
Thus, in the end, Kate Winslet‘s Elena chooses to remain in power, even if it means she becomes a pawn in the new political landscape. Tracy added that Zubak understands he needs to be the sacrificial lamb and avoids his usual violent ways due to the futility of the situation. Consequently, the ending also adds a layer of tragedy to the love story between him and Elena.
The Regime is streaming on Max.
