One of the most recognizable genres of music, country music has seen its fair share of stars and dynasties throughout its years. Fox’s new musical dramaMonarchis out to capture the intrigue of the country music scene. The synopsis that Fox provides is tantalizing:
Reigning King of Country Music Albie Roman, along with his insanely talented – and tough as nails – wife, Queen of Country Music Dottie Cantrell Roman, 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. When their reign as country royalty is put in jeopardy, heir to the crown Nicolette “Nicky” Roman will stop at nothing to protect her family’s legacy, while ensuring her own quest for stardom, alongside her brother Luke and sister Gigi.
The trailer very much confirms the synopsis. With characters oozing secrets, betrayals, fistfights, guns, bright lights, and country music, there’s enough content here for a whole album’s worth of country music lyrics. Importantly, we are introduced to the major players in the series, most of them members of the Roman family. Created byMelissa London Hilfers, the series promises an epic drama with familiar actors and names from the country music scene including starring roles fromSusan Sarandonand country singerTrace Adkins. The series premiered on Fox on September 11th, 2022. To get a better understanding of the cast and characters, here’s ourCast and Character Guide forMonarch.
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Susan Sarandon as Dottie Cantrell Roman
Dottie Cantrell Roman is a larger-than-life figure, especially in the country music world. She is known as the Queen of Country Music and the matriarch of the Roman family. She is a fighter who is tough as nails, willing to do whatever it takes to verify her family maintains their status at the head of country music. Now, she is getting ready to step away from the music, but has a few orders of business to attend to before then, including making sure a few family secrets stay hidden.
Playing Dottie Cantrell Roman is Susan Sarandon. Sarandon is a critically acclaimed and prolific actress with a slew of film and television appearances under her belt. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in the 1995 filmDead Man Walking, where she plays a nun who comes into contact with an inmate on death row. The role also won her a Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Actress. She won a BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her role as Reggie in the legal thrillerThe Client. Sarandon has had many other iconic roles, including performances inThelma & Louise,Little Women,The Rocky Horror Picture Show, andAtlantic City. With her iconic flaming red hair, Sarandon seems the perfect choice for the role of a fiery mother willing to go the extra mile to protect her family’s empire.
Trace Adkins as Albie Roman
Albie Roman is the other half of the Roman country music empire and is known as the King of Country Music. He helped Dottie establish their family at the head of country music and both had a slew of hits in past decades. Now, it seems where Dottie’s popularity is still continuing, Albie’s has been waning. He’s a traditional country man who loves to have a good time, but underneath it is a temper that can leave friends and enemies alike burned.
Those in the country music scene are probably thrilled to see Trace Adkins in this role. Adkins is himself a country music star, most active in the late ’90s and 2000s. He is no stranger to the Billboard country charts having had more than 20 singles and three number-one hits, “(This Ain’t) No Thinkin' Thing,” “Ladies Love Country Boys,” and “You’re Gonna Miss This.” Although he is better known as a country music star, he has made numerous appearances in film and television including the filmThe Outsiderand the showsKing of the HillandAmerican Dad. He has also appeared as himself onThe VoiceandCelebrity Apprentice. This role seems like familiar content for Adkins, and it should be exciting to see how his real-world experience lends itself to the role.
Anna Friel as Nicolette Roman
Nicolette “Nicky” Roman is the eldest daughter of Albie and Dottie and the heir apparent to the Roman throne. She takes after her mother in a number of ways and is a determined artist ready for success and the spotlight. Like her mother, she is ready to do what needs to be done to ensure that she and her family remain in power in the country music scene.
Playing Nicki is English actressAnna Friel. Friel may best be known for her role as Charlotte “Chuck” Charles onABC’sPushing Daisies. She is a winner of an International Emmy Award for Best Actress for her performance in the British noir detective seriesMarcella.
Beth Ditto as Gigi Taylor-Roman
Gigi Taylor-Roman is the younger sister of Nicky and the other daughter of Albie and Dottie. Unlike her sister, Gigi does not feel like she is part of the family. She does not have the conventional good looks of her sister and is a married lesbian in a conservative country music world. She has inherited her parents’ vocal chops, and although she isn’t next in line for the throne, her voice could give her sister a run for her money.
Beth Dittois an American singer and songwriter. She is known for her work with the indie rock bandGossipand her own work as a solo artist. Outside of music, she has spent time in the fashion industry and published her own memoirCoal to Diamonds: A Memoir. Ditto’s vocal chops, which have been compared to perennial greats likeAmy WinehouseandEtta James, could be a key factor in her casting here, and it will be exciting to see how the tension between Beth and her sister Nicky plays a role in the series.
Joshua Sasse as Luke Roman
Although he isn’t a star singer himself, Luke Roman is still involved in the family business as the CEO of Monarch Entertainment. Although he hasn’t always gotten along with his father, he is eager to prove that he can be an asset and not a nuisance. As he learns more about his family’s dark secrets, he has to keep the business running and the shareholders involved happy.
Playing Luke Roman isJoshua Sasse. Sasse is an English actor best known for his work in television. He had main roles in the musical fantasy comedy television seriesGalavantand in the romantic comedy-drama seriesNo Tomorrow.
Iñigo Pascual as Ace Grayson
Ace Grayson is the adopted son of Nicky Roman. As part of the Roman family, he’s always looked up to the stardom of his grandparents. He is a talented singer who lights up when he’s on stage. His sensitive nature off-stage is another matter. He hopes to one day be a music star like some other members of his family but hasn’t found success yet.
Playing Grayson isIñigo Pascual. Although is his first stint in Hollywood, Pascual is known for his Filipino television and film roles including the television drama seriesAnd I Love You Soand the romantic filmsCrazy Beautiful YouandRelaks, It’s Just Pag-ibig. He is also well-recognized in the Philippines’ music scene with his self-titled debut album reaching the #1 spot on the Billboard Philippines chart.
Related:Susan Sarandon and Anna Friel to Star in Country Music-Themed Drama Series ‘Monarch’
Martha Higareda as Catt Phoenix
Catt Phoenix is a mother with something to fight for and a relationship with the Romans. Although she is trying to get her talented daughter Ana signed to Roman’s record label, we soon learn that she has had a mysterious past conflict with Nicky Roman. She represents a wild card, someone who could be trouble for the Romans as they try to keep their seedy past in the shadows.
Martha Higaredatakes on the role of Catt Phoenix. Higareda is a Mexican actress known for her roles inAltered Carbon,Amar te Duele, andStreet Kings.
Emma Milani as Ana Phoenix
Ana Phoenix is the daughter of Catt Phoenix. She is a teenage girl who quickly gains notoriety on TikTok for her Spanish-language interpretation of Albie Roman’s most famous song. She has an innocent quality, but will the music business and dealing with the Romans and her mother’s grudge against them change her sweet nature?
Emma Milaniportrays Ana Phoenix. Milani is known for her roles in the television seriesSolveand the TV movieDying to be A Cheerleader.
Recurring Cast & Guest Stars
Monarchhas an excellent slate of recurring actors for viewers, includingEva Amurri(That’s My Boy) as Dottie Cantrell Roman,Adam Croasdell(Supernatural) as Clive Grayson,Meagan Holder(Born Again Virgin) as Kayla Taylor-Roman,Derrick Lemmon(The Black Phone) as CMA Elite,Faith Prince(Guys & Dolls) as Nellie Cantrell,Callum Kerr(Four Weddings and a Funeral) as Wade Stellings, andKevin Cahoon(Glow) as Earl Clark. Some of the biggest names however are the guest stars that were announced would be making an appearance at some point in the series. Some recognizable names from the country music landscape will be making appearances includingShania Twain,Martina McBride,Little Big Town, andTanya Tucker. For fans of country music, drama, and a celebrity guest appearance,Monarchwill be the show to watch.
