Fox pushes ‘Monarch’ back to fall 2022

Series will now premiere during the 2022/2023 season

Fox has pushed the country music family dynasty series, Monarch, starring Trace Adkins, back to a fall 2022 premiere. The series was set to premiere on January 30th, immediately following the NFC Championship, but was pushed back due to rising COVID cases that would likely impact production and its airing of new episodes.

The show is set to continue to shoot in Atlanta through spring. The network is hoping the show will benefit from the shift by having the entire first season produced before going to air.

“Unfortunately, due to the unavoidable realities of the pandemic and the profound impact COVID-19 continues to have on our industry and around the world, it is necessary to reschedule Monarch’s January 30 debut to the fall,” a Fox spokesperson tells Deadline. “As the cornerstone of Fox’s new 2022-23 slate, shifting a show of this magnitude allows us to have its entire first season produced, create additional, high-profile content and promotional windows to support launch, and give our viewers the best opportunity to enjoy the series as intended with a non-compromised run of episodes. We thank our cast, producers, writers and the entire crew for their tireless work and continued dedication to the country music-filled world that is Monarch.”

The network had been heavily marketing the series for its original two night debut on January 30th and 31st. As of this writing, none of the stars have publicly spoken about the decision.

Monarch is a Texas-sized, multi-generational musical drama. Headed by the insanely talented, but tough as nails Queen of Country Music Dottie Cantrell Roman, played by Academy Award winner Susan Sarandon, and her beloved husband, “Texas Truthteller” Albie Roman, who is portrayed by Trace Adkins, the family has become 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, played by Anna Friel, will stop at nothing to protect her family’s legacy, while ensuring her own quest for stardom.

Monarch is one hundred percent owned and produced by Fox Entertainment. Screenwriter Melissa London Hilfers serves as creator, writer and executive producer. Jon Harmon Feldman serves as executive producer and showrunner. Gail Berman and Hend Baghdady (The Jackal Group), Michael Rauch and top music manager Jason Owen (Sandbox Entertainment) also serve as executive producers. Jason Ensler directed the series premiere, on which he also serves as an executive producer.

Last month, the network began releasing music from the series in partnership with Arista Records/Monument Records. “A Country Boy Can Survive,” performed by Adkins and released 40 years after Hank Williams Jr released the original, was the first track from the series in mid-December. Last week, the series’ main theme song, “The Card You Gamble,” performed by cross-country singer Caitlyn Smith, was issued to digital outlets. These songs are the first of many originals and covers performed for the series by cast members and upcoming guest stars.

Fox and Zealot Interactive have joined forces to develop interactive guitar lessons, vis-à-vis its streaming video service with instructor-led sessions and patented guitar neck instructional LED device, for original songs and select covers from the series. Throughout the inaugural season, Fret Zealot will unveil lessons of select songs from the show, including those specifically written for Monarch and cover versions of other artists’ work. The official play-along to learn songs from the series is available via the Fret Zealot app for Android, iOS and on Chrome web browsers as part of an all-access subscription for $14.99 per month.

Buddy Iahn
Buddy Iahn