Monarch (American TV series) explained

Genre:Drama
Creator:Melissa London Hilfers
Opentheme:"The Card You Gamble"
Composer:Caitlyn Smith
Country:United States
Language:English
Num Seasons:1
Num Episodes:11
Runtime:44 minutes
Network:Fox

Monarch is an American musical drama television series about a country music family. Created by Melissa London Hilfers, the series is the first production of Fox Entertainment Studios.[1]

Susan Sarandon stars as Dottie Cantrell, with Trace Adkins, Anna Friel, Beth Ditto, Martha Higareda, Iñigo Pascual, and Joshua Sasse forming the main cast. The series premiered on September 11, 2022 and ended on December 6, 2022 on Fox. In December 2022, Fox canceled the series after one season.

Premise

Dottie and Albie Roman lead a country music dynasty at the center of a multigenerational family drama. Daughter Nicky Roman does all she can to protect the dynasty's reign in country music while ensuring her own stardom.[2]

Cast and characters

Main

Recurring

Guest stars

Truthteller 1839

Tying into the first season’s 7th episode (“About Last Night”), Fox Entertainment partnered with ReserveBar and Next Century Spirits to create a “new double-barreled straight bourbon whiskey” named Truthteller 1839.[3] The whiskey took its name from Albie Roman’s legendary moniker – The Texas Truthteller – and the product was featured in show as part of the Monarch empire’s latest business venture.

Production

Development

The series was announced in May 2021. It is created and executive produced by Melissa London Hilfers. Michael Rauch was the original showrunner and one of the executive producers but he was replaced by Jon Feldman in November 2021.[4] Other executive producers are Hend Baghdady, Gail Berman and Jason Owen. The episodes will be hour-long.[5] Jason Ensler has been tapped to direct and executive produce the two-part pilot.[6] Principal photography for the series began on September 13, 2021, and concluded on March 31, 2022, in Atlanta, Georgia.[7] On December 7, 2022, it was announced that the series was cancelled after one season by Fox.[8]

Casting

In September 2021 Susan Sarandon, Trace Adkins, Beth Ditto, Josh Sasse, Megan Holder, Inigo Dominic Pascual, Martha Higareda and Emma Milani were announced to join the series in leading roles[9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] along with the recurring cast: Eva Amurri, Adam Croasdell and Faith Prince.[16] [17] [18] In November 2021, Callum Kerr, Kevin Cahoon, Reshma Shetty, Damon Dayoub and D.W. Moffett were announced to join the series' recurring cast.[19] [20] On August 17, 2022, a trailer for the series revealed that several country stars would appear in the show as themselves, including Shania Twain, Martina McBride, Tanya Tucker and Little Big Town.[21] [22]

Release

The series was originally scheduled to premiere on January 30, 2022.[23] On January 12, 2022, Fox announced that due to COVID-19-related issues and the change in showrunner impacting production, and to allow for reshoots and a more thorough promotional campaign, the premiere of Monarch had been delayed to fall 2022.[24] [25] [26] The series premiered on September 11, 2022, as a lead out of Fox's NFL coverage, with the pilot airing four times in a timespan of four days.[27]

Music

The title track of the series "The Card You Gamble", which was written by Nashville songwriters Liz Rose, Lori McKenna and Hillary Lindsey and performed by singer-songwriter Caitlyn Smith, was released on January 14, 2022.[28] On August 3, 2022, "American Cowgirl", a song written by Casey Brown, Heather Morgan and Monarch music supervisor Adam Anders which is performed by Friel's character Nicky in the show, was released. The series features a mixture of original and cover songs and is released through Arista Records.[29]

EpisodeSongWriter(s)Performer(s)
1.1: Stop at Nothing[30] "American Cowgirl"Adam Anders Casey Brown, Heather MorganAnna Friel as Nicky Roman
"The Brambles"Adam Anders, Tom Douglas, Jordan ShellhartTrace Adkins as Albie Roman and Anna Friel as Nicky Roman
"Family Tradition"Hank Williams Jr.Joshua Sasse as Luke Roman, Anna Friel as Nicky Roman, Beth Ditto as Gigi Roman and Iñigo Pascual as Ace Grayson
"Good Hearted Woman"Waylon Jennings, Willie NelsonTrace Adkins as Albie Roman
"How Do I Live"Diane WarrenAnna Friel as Nicky Roman and Beth Ditto as Gigi Roman
1.2: There Can Only Be One Queen[31] "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!"Mandy Barnett as Dottie Cantrell Roman and Anna Friel as Nicky Roman
"Ain't No Sunshine"Bill WithersCallum Kerr as Wade Stellings
"The Card You Gamble"Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna, Liz RoseAnna Friel as Nicky Roman and Beth Ditto as Gigi Roman
"Love Can Build a Bridge"Naomi JuddFaith Prince as Nellie Cantrell and Mandy Barnett as Dottie Cantrell Roman
"Photograph"Johnny McDaid, Ed SheeranIñigo Pascual as Ace Grayson and Trace Adkins as Albie Roman
1.3: Show Them Who You Are, Baby[32] "Juice"Eric Frederic, Melissa Jefferson, Sean Small, Sam Sumser, Theron ThomasBeth Ditto as Gigi Roman
"Breathe"Stephanie Bentley, Holly LamarAnna Friel as Nicky Roman
"God Knows"Adam Anders, Peer Åström, Tom DouglasMandy Barnett as Dottie Cantrell Roman, Beth Ditto as Gigi Roman
"Kerosene"Steve Earle, Miranda LambertAnna Friel as Nicky Roman
"Always on My Mind"Wayne Carson, Johnny Christopher, Mark JamesBeth Ditto as Gigi Roman and Trace Adkins as Albie Roman
1.4: Not Our First Rodeo[33] "Watermelon Sugar"Emma Milani as Ana Phoenix and Iñigo Pascual as Ace Grayson
"High"Caitlyn Smith as herself
"Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys"Ed Bruce, Patsy BruceTrace Adkins as Albie Roman
"God Knows"Adam Anders, Peer Åström, Tom DouglasAnna Friel as Nicky Roman
1.5: Death and Christmas[34] "Need You Now"Dave Haywood, Josh Kear, Charles Kelley, Hillary ScottAnna Friel as Nicky Roman and Callum Kerr as Wade Stellings
"Born This Way"Lady Gaga, Jeppe LaursenBeth Ditto as Gigi Roman
"Silent Night"Franz Xaver GruberAnna Friel as Nicky Roman, Beth Ditto as Gigi Roman, Joshua Sasse as Luke Roman and Iñigo Pascual as Ace Grayson
1.6: The Night Of...[35] "Somethin' Bad"Chuck Ainlay, Frank Liddell, Glenn WorfAnna Friel as Nicky Roman and Beth Ditto as Gigi Roman
"Friends in Low Places"Dewayne Blackwell, Earl Bud LeeTrace Adkins as Albie Roman
1.7: About Last Night[36] "Waiting Around to Die"Townes Van ZandtTrace Adkins as Albie Roman
"Half of My Hometown"Jimmy Robbins, Shane McAnally, Ross Copperman, Nicolle Galyon & Kelsea BalleriniEmma Milani as Ana Phoenix and Trace Adkins as Albie Roman
"I Love a Rainy Night"Even Stevens, David Malloy & Eddie RabbittAnna Friel as Nicky Roman and Callum Kerr as Wade Stellings
1.8: The Crown[37] "Strawberry Wine"Matraca Berg & Gary HarrisonAnna Friel as Nicky Roman
"Something to Talk About"Shirley EikhardEmma Milani as Ana Phoenix
"This One's for the Girls"Hillary Lindsey, Chris Lindsey & Aimee MayoIñigo Pascual as Ace Grayson
1.9: Confessions[38] "Country Boy (Shake It for Me)"Dallas Davidson & Luke BryanAnna Friel as Nicky Roman
"Gates of Hell"Tom Douglas & Adam AndersTrace Adkins as Albie Roman
"Before He Cheats"Josh Kear & Chris TompkinsBeth Ditto as Gigi Roman
"Fresh Eyes"Andy Grammer, Ross Golan & Ian KirkpatrickEmma Milani as Ana Phoenix and Iñigo Pascual as Ace Grayson

Reception

Critical response

The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 33% approval rating with an average rating of 5.8/10, based on 12 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "Heavy on the clichés while disappointingly light on Susan Sarandon, this Monarch is a so-so successor to a lineage of soaps about families warring over their business empire."[39] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 43 out of 100 based on 11 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[40]

Ratings

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Country Music Drama 'Monarch' Ordered to Series At Fox, Marks First Fully Owned Live-Action Scripted Show. White. Peter. Deadline Hollywood. May 7, 2021. October 3, 2021. September 15, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210915010407/https://deadline.com/2021/05/country-music-drama-monarch-series-order-fox-1234752091/. live.
  2. Web site: 'Monarch': Susan Sarandon Introduces 'The First Family of Country Music' in Teaser for Fox Musical Drama . Del Rosario . Alexandra. Deadline Hollywood. October 27, 2021 . November 10, 2021 . November 9, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211109051844/https://deadline.com/video/monarch-teaser-susan-sarandon-country-music-fox-drama/ . live.
  3. Web site: 2022-09-08 . FOX launches new TruthTeller 1839 Bourbon tied to new country music drama 'Monarch' . 2022-11-03 . FOX TV Digital Team . en-US . November 3, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221103235922/https://www.fox4news.com/fox-shows/fox-launches-new-truthteller-1839-bourbon-monarch-country-music-drama . live .
  4. Web site: 'Monarch': Jon Feldman Named Showrunner, Replacing Michael Rauch On Fox Family Drama Series. White. Peter. Deadline Hollywood. November 23, 2021. November 26, 2021. November 24, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211124135816/https://deadline.com/2021/11/monarch-jon-feldman-replaces-michael-rauch-showrunner-fox-1234879691/. live.
  5. Web site: Country Music Drama 'Monarch' Ordered To Series At Fox, Marks First Fully Owned Live-Action Scripted Show. White. Peter. Deadline Hollywood. May 7, 2021. October 3, 2021. September 15, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210915010407/https://deadline.com/2021/05/country-music-drama-monarch-series-order-fox-1234752091/. live.
  6. Web site: Jason Ensler To Direct & EP Premiere Of Fox Series 'Monarch', NBC Pilot 'Dangerous Moms'. Andreeva. Nellie. Deadline Hollywood. July 14, 2021. October 3, 2021. July 23, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210723045143/https://deadline.com/2021/07/jason-ensler-direct-ep-fox-monarch-nbc-dangerous-moms-1234792931/. live.
  7. Web site: Monarch. Variety Insight. January 5, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220105063205/https://www.varietyinsight.com/production_restart_full_view.php?track_id=190800. January 5, 2022. live.
  8. Web site: 'Monarch' Canceled At Fox After One Season. White. Peter. Deadline Hollywood. December 7, 2022. December 7, 2022. December 8, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221208012638/https://deadline.com/2022/12/monarch-canceled-at-fox-after-one-season-1235192907/. live.
  9. Web site: Susan Sarandon & Anna Friel To Star In Fox Drama Series 'Monarch'. Petski. Denise. Deadline Hollywood. September 7, 2021. October 3, 2021. September 9, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210909000713/https://deadline.com/2021/09/susan-sarandon-anna-friel-fox-drama-series-monarch-1234828275/. live.
  10. Web site: Trace Adkins Starring In 'Monarch,' A Fox Midseason Drama About Fictional First Family Of Country Music. Cordero. Rosy. Deadline Hollywood. September 8, 2021. October 3, 2021. September 10, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210910181939/https://deadline.com/2021/09/monarch-country-star-trace-adkins-fox-drama-cast-1234828840/. live.
  11. Web site: 'Monarch': Beth Ditto Boards Fox Musical Drama. Cordero. Rosy. Deadline Hollywood. September 9, 2021. October 3, 2021. September 9, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210909234051/https://deadline.com/2021/09/monarch-beth-ditto-fox-musical-drama-cast-1234829592/. live.
  12. Web site: 'Monarch': Josh Sasse Joins Fox Musical Drama Series. Andreeva. Nellie. Deadline Hollywood. September 13, 2021. October 3, 2021. September 14, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210914154253/https://deadline.com/2021/09/monarch-josh-sasse-cast-fox-musical-drama-series-1234832395/. live.
  13. Web site: 'Monarch': Meagan Holder Joins Cast Of Fox Musical Drama. Del Rosario. Alexandra. Deadline Hollywood. September 14, 2021. October 3, 2021. September 15, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210915131557/https://deadline.com/2021/09/meagan-holder-monarch-fox-musical-drama-1234833141/. live.
  14. Web site: 'Monarch': Filipino Singer-Actor Inigo Pascual Joins Lead Cast Of Fox Musical Drama. Del Rosario. Alexandra. Deadline Hollywood. September 15, 2021. October 3, 2021. September 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210925084634/https://deadline.com/2021/09/filipino-inigo-pascual-monarch-fox-musical-drama-1234834218/. live.
  15. Web site: 'Monarch': Martha Higareda & Emma Milani Board Fox Musical Drama. Del Rosario. Alexandra. Deadline Hollywood. September 23, 2021. October 3, 2021. September 24, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210924010505/https://deadline.com/2021/09/monarch-martha-higareda-emma-milani-fox-musical-drama-1234840530/. live.
  16. Web site: 'Monarch': Eva Amurri Joins Her Mom Susan Sarandon In Fox Musical Drama Series. Petski. Desise. Deadline Hollywood. September 27, 2021. October 3, 2021. September 28, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210928171212/https://deadline.com/2021/09/monarch-eva-amurri-mom-susan-sarandon-fox-musical-drama-series-1234845333/. live.
  17. Web site: Ravi Patel To Recur In Showtime's 'Three Women'; Fox's 'Monarch' Taps Adam Croasdell As Recurring. Del Rosario. Alexandra. Deadline Hollywood. September 29, 2021. October 3, 2021. October 2, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211002040137/https://deadline.com/2021/09/ravi-patel-showtime-three-women-monarch-adam-croasdell-recurring-1234846710/. live.
  18. Web site: 'Monarch': Tony Winner Faith Prince Joins Cast Of Fox Musical Drama. Del Rosario. Alexandra. Deadline Hollywood. September 30, 2021. October 3, 2021. October 2, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211002130531/https://deadline.com/2021/09/monarch-tony-winner-faith-prince-joins-cast-of-fox-musical-drama-1234847485/. live.
  19. Web site: 'Monarch': Callum Kerr & Kevin Cahoon Join Fox Musical Drama Series. Petski. Denise. Deadline Hollywood. November 4, 2021. November 10, 2021. November 8, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211108040947/https://deadline.com/2021/11/monarch-callum-kerr-kevin-cahoon-fox-musical-drama-series-1234866742/. live.
  20. Web site: 'Monarch': Reshma Shetty, Damon Dayoub, D.W. Moffett Join Fox Musical Drama. Petski. Denise. Deadline Hollywood. November 2, 2021. November 10, 2021. November 6, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211106145309/https://deadline.com/2021/11/monarch-reshma-shetty-damon-dayoub-d-w-moffett-fox-musical-drama-1234867442/. live.
  21. Web site: New Country Drama Series Monarch Will Guest Star Shania Twain, Martina McBride, Tanya Tucker and More . August 17, 2022 . August 17, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220817172030/https://people.com/country/monarch-trailer-guest-stars-shania-twain-martina-mcbride-tanya-tucker-little-big-town/ . live .
  22. New 'Monarch' trailer gives first look at Shania Twain, Martina McBride, and Tanya Tucker . . August 17, 2022 . August 17, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220817172030/https://ew.com/tv/new-monarch-trailer-shania-twain-martina-mcbride-tanya-tucker/ . live .
  23. Web site: Country Music Drama 'Monarch' Gets Two-Night Launch Beginning Post-NFC Championship Game On Fox. Del Rosario. Alexandra. Deadline Hollywood. May 17, 2021. October 3, 2021. October 3, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211003111458/https://deadline.com/2021/05/country-music-drama-monarch-two-night-launch-beginning-post-nfc-championship-game-fox-1234758510/. live.
  24. Web site: Swift . Andy . Fox Pushes Monarch to Next Season — Just 2 Weeks Before Premiere . TVLine . January 12, 2022 . January 12, 2022. January 13, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220113011430/https://tvline.com/2022/01/12/monarch-premiere-delayed-fox-fall-2022-susan-sarandon/. live.
  25. Web site: White. Peter. 2022-01-13. 'Monarch': Fox Pushes "Priority" Drama To Fall. 2022-01-13. Deadline. January 13, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220113145506/https://deadline.com/2022/01/monarch-fox-pushes-priority-drama-to-fall-covid-19-1234909387/. live.
  26. Web site: 'Monarch': Fox Entertainment Chief Michael Thorn on Decision to Push Country Music Drama to Fall . January 18, 2022 . December 28, 2022 . October 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221026172545/https://deadline.com/2022/01/monarch-fox-entertainment-president-decision-push-series-fall-2022-michael-thorn-1234913407/ . live .
  27. Web site: Andreeva. Nellie. Fox Unveils Fall 2022-23 Schedule & Premiere Dates, New Drama 'Monarch' Gets Post-NFL Launch. Deadline Hollywood. June 6, 2022. June 6, 2022. June 6, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220606190155/https://deadline.com/2022/06/fox-fall-2022-23-tv-schedule-premiere-dates-9-1-1-the-resident-the-masked-singer-monarch-1235039036/. live.
  28. Web site: Listen: Caitlyn Smith unveils 'The Card You Gamble', the theme from 'Monarch' . January 14, 2022 . August 17, 2022 . May 17, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220517064114/https://entertainment-focus.com/2022/01/14/listen-caitlyn-smith-unveils-the-card-you-gamble-the-theme-from-monarch/ . live .
  29. Web site: The 'Monarch' TV show cast continue to release original music & iconic cover versions . September 26, 2022 . October 5, 2022 . October 5, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221005162901/https://entertainment-focus.com/2022/09/26/the-monarch-tv-show-cast-continue-to-release-original-music-iconic-cover-versions/ . live .
  30. Web site: Monarch: Season 1 (Music from the Fox Series) by Monarch Cast . September 25, 2022 . September 25, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220925135146/https://genius.com/albums/Monarch-cast/Monarch-season-1-music-from-the-fox-series . live .
  31. Web site: Monarch (Original Soundtrack) [Season 1, Episode 2] by Monarch Cast . September 25, 2022 . September 25, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220925133643/https://genius.com/albums/Monarch-cast/Monarch-original-soundtrack-season-1-episode-2 . live .
  32. Web site: Monarch (Original Soundtrack) [Season 1, Episode 3] by Monarch Cast . September 25, 2022 . September 25, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220925133642/https://genius.com/albums/Monarch-cast/Monarch-original-soundtrack-season-1-episode-3 . live .
  33. Web site: Monarch (Original Soundtrack) [Season 1, Episode 4] by Monarch Cast . October 2, 2022 . October 2, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221002000542/https://genius.com/albums/Monarch-cast/Monarch-original-soundtrack-season-1-episode-4 . live .
  34. Web site: Monarch (Original Soundtrack) [Season 1, Episode 5] by Monarch Cast . October 16, 2022 . October 16, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221016131620/https://genius.com/albums/Monarch-cast/Monarch-original-soundtrack-season-1-episode-5 . live .
  35. Web site: Monarch (Original Soundtrack) [Season 1, Episode 6] by Monarch Cast . October 16, 2022 . October 16, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221016131621/https://genius.com/albums/Monarch-cast/Monarch-original-soundtrack-season-1-episode-6 . live .
  36. Web site: Monarch (Original Soundtrack) [Season 1, Episode 7] by Monarch Cast . November 28, 2022 . November 28, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221128032945/https://genius.com/albums/Monarch-cast/Monarch-original-soundtrack-season-1-episode-7 . live .
  37. Web site: Monarch (Original Soundtrack) [Season 1, Episode 8] by Monarch Cast . November 28, 2022 . November 28, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221128032944/https://genius.com/albums/Monarch-cast/Monarch-original-soundtrack-season-1-episode-8 . live .
  38. Web site: Monarch (Original Soundtrack) [Season 1, Episode 9] by Monarch Cast . November 28, 2022 . November 28, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221128032946/https://genius.com/albums/Monarch-cast/Monarch-original-soundtrack-season-1-episode-9 . live .
  39. monarch. Monarch. tv. 1. September 17, 2022.
  40. monarch. Monarch. tv. 1. September 17, 2022.

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