Home TV Shows ‘Monarch’ Season 1 Episode 1 Preview: Plot, Photos, and Cast Info

‘Monarch’ Season 1 Episode 1 Preview: Plot, Photos, and Cast Info

August 15, 2022

Fox is set to launch the Country music-driven new drama Monarch as part of their fall 2022 primetime lineup. The series was originally set to debut on January 30, 2022 but was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and will now premiere on September 11th, with the first part of a two-part premiere airing immediately following the NFL doubleheader.

The series stars Oscar winner Susan Sarandon (Dead Man Walking) as Dottie Cantrell Roman, the Queen of Country Music. Academy of Country Music Award winner Trace Adkins stars as Dottie’s husband, Albie Roman. And Anna Friel (Marcella, The Box) plays Nicolette “Nicky” Roman.

Season one also stars Beth Ditto as Gigi Taylor-Roman, Joshua Sasse as Luke Roman, Martha Higareda as Catt, Emma Milani as Ana, and Meagan Holder as Kayla Taylor-Roman. Grammy Award winner Shania Twain, multi-Grammy Award nominee Martina McBride, Grammy Award winner Tanya Tucker, and Grammy Award winners Little Big Town will guest star throughout season one.

Screenwriter Melissa London Hilfers created Monarch and serves as writer and executive producer. Jon Feldman (Designated Survivor) guides the series as showrunner and executive produces with Gail Berman, Hend Baghdady, Jason Owen, and Michael Rauch.

Fox’s official synopsis:

“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 (Sasse) 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 (Ditto) 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 (Holder), 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 (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).

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 (Higareda), the stunning and unpredictable mother of 17-year-old ANA PHOENIX (Emma Milani), a talented, wide-eyed young singer who is trying to get signed to the Roman family’s record label.”