Susan Sarandon and Anna Friel are taking over the country music scene — on the small screen, anyway. The pair will star as country royalty in “Monarch,” a Fox drama created by Melissa London Hilfers. The show will have a two-night premiere beginning Sunday, January 30, Deadline reports.
“Monarch” is “a Texas-sized, multigenerational musical drama about America’s first family of country music, the Romans,” per the source. “The Romans are headed by the insanely talented, but tough as nails Queen of Country Music Dottie Cantrell Roman (Sarandon). Along with her beloved husband, Albie, Dottie has created a country music dynasty. But even though the Roman name is synonymous with authenticity, the very foundation of their success is a lie,” it hints. “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.”
Hailing from Fox Entertainment, “Monarch” is written and exec produced by Hilfers. Gail Berman and Hend Baghdady are also among the EPs.
“Search Party” and “Jolt” are among Sarandon’s latest credits. She received an Oscar for her leading role in “Dead Man Walking” and snagged nominations for “The Client,” “Lorenzo’s Oil,” “Thelma & Louise,” and “Atlantic City.” She’s a six-time Emmy nominee, most recently for starring in and producing “Feud: Bette and Joan.”
Friel counts “Pushing Daisies” and “Marcella” among her best-known credits. She nabbed a Golden Globe nomination for the former, an International Emmy for the latter, and a BAFTA TV Award nod for “Broken.” She can currently be seen in women’s rights drama “Charming the Hearts of Men.”
A former litigation lawyer, Hilfers has sold scripts to Amazon Studios, Parkes + MacDonald, and Black Bear. She previously wrote and produced shorts “Blasphemy” and “Missing Piece.” She directed the former as well.
