COUNTRY MUSIC LEGENDS TO GUEST-STAR ON THE FIRST SEASON OF FOX’S UPCOMING DRAMA SERIES, “MONARCH”
MONARCH Stars Anna Friel, Trace Adkins, Joshua Sasse, Beth Ditto and Susan Sarandon
COUNTRY SUPERSTARS SHANIA TWAIN, MARTINA McBRIDE, LITTLE BIG TOWN AND TANYA TUCKER
TO MAKE SPECIAL APPEARANCES THROUGHOUT THE PREMIERE SEASON
MONARCH, the upcoming Texas-sized, multi-generational musical drama about America’s leading family of country music, starring Academy Award winner Susan Sarandon (“Feud,” “Thelma & Louise”), multi-Platinum country music star and three-time Academy of Country Music (ACM) Award winner Trace Adkins (“Old Henry”) and Golden Globe nominee Anna Friel (“Pushing Daisies”) also will include special appearances by some of the most legendary names in country music today. Grammy Award winner Shania Twain, multi-Grammy Award nominee Martina McBride, Grammy Award winners Little Big Town and Grammy Award winner Tanya Tucker are set to guest-star throughout the season.
Watch/Share the all-new trailer for MONARCH, featuring a first look at these country superstars’ guest appearances: https://www.
MONARCH debuts with a special two-night event, beginning Sunday, Sept. 11, immediately following the FOX NFL doubleheader (8:00-9:00 PM ET, and simultaneously to all time zones). It then makes its time period premiere Tuesday, Sept. 20 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), following the Season Six debut of THE RESIDENT (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT).
In MONARCH, the Roman family is headed by the insanely talented, but tough-as-nails Queen of Country Music DOTTIE CANTRELL ROMAN (Sarandon) and her beloved husband, “Texas Truthteller” ALBIE ROMAN (Adkins). Dottie and Albie have created a country music dynasty. But even though the Roman name is synonymous with authenticity, the very foundation of their success is a lie. And when their reign as country royalty is put in jeopardy, heir to the crown NICOLETTE “NICKY” ROMAN (Friel) will stop at nothing to protect her family’s legacy, while ensuring her own quest for stardom.
Middle child LUKE ROMAN (Joshua Sasse, “Galavant”) is the CEO of the family’s business, Monarch Entertainment. Luke is the apple of his mother’s eye, but he has a troubled relationship with his father, whose approval he can never get, no matter how hard he tries. Youngest daughter GIGI TUCKER-ROMAN (singer/songwriter Beth Ditto, “On Becoming a God in Central Florida”) is very close to her older brother and sister, but in a family of superstars, Gigi has always felt like a bit of an outcast, in spite of her incredible singing voice. Gigi is married to KAYLA ROMAN-TUCKER (Meagan Holder, “Dave,” “Pitch”), a successful music manager who keeps turning down Luke’s offers to join forces with the family company. Outside business, Kayla’s relationships with the Romans reflect a complicated history, and a secret she is keeping could destroy her marriage to Gigi. ACE GRAYSON (Hollywood newcomer and Filipino recording artist Inigo Pascual) also is part of the family. He is a talented and sensitive 18-year-old who was adopted from an orphanage by Nicky and her husband, struggling British actor CLIVE GRAYSON (guest star Adam Croasdell, “Preacher,” “Reign”). Ace is a phenomenal singer with real swagger on stage, and dreams of being a country star like his Grandpa Albie. And just when the Romans’ world couldn’t get more chaotic, enter CATT PHOENIX (Martha Higareda, “Into The Dark: Culture Shock”), the stunning and unpredictable mother of 17-year-old ANA PHOENIX (Emma Milani, “Solve”), a talented, wide-eyed young singer who is trying to get signed to the Roman family’s record label.
MONARCH is 100% owned and produced by FOX Entertainment. Screenwriter Melissa London Hilfers serves as creator, writer and executive producer. Jon Harmon Feldman (“Designated Survivor”) serves as executive producer and showrunner. Gail Berman and Hend Baghdady (The Jackal Group), Michael Rauch (“Instinct,” “Royal Pains”) and top music manager Jason Owen (Sandbox Entertainment) also serve as executive producers. Jason Ensler (“The Passage”) directed the series premiere, on which he also served as an executive producer. The series will feature original music and covers.