Susan Sarandon, Anna Friel, Trace Adkins starring in Fox’s ‘Monarch’ country dynasty series

The mid-season drama is shooting in metro Atlanta.
Susan Sarandon and Anna Friel have been cast as leads in the country music power family show on Fox "Monarch," set to debut early next year. The new series is going to be shot in metro Atlanta. CR: Screen Media Films/High Hopes Productions

Credit: CR: Screen Media Films/High Hopes Productions

Credit: CR: Screen Media Films/High Hopes Productions

Susan Sarandon and Anna Friel have been cast as leads in the country music power family show on Fox "Monarch," set to debut early next year. The new series is going to be shot in metro Atlanta. CR: Screen Media Films/High Hopes Productions

Oscar-winning actress Susan Sarandon is taking on her first lead role in a TV series on Fox’s mid-season drama “Monarch,” which is going to be shot in metro Atlanta.

According to Variety, Sarandon plays Dottie Cantrell Roman, considered a doyenne of country music. But there are lies and deceit underlying the facade of glory. Her 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.

Adkins, a popular country singer who also won “Celebrity Apprentice” in 2013, will play “Texas Truthteller” and reigning king of country music Albie Roman, Dottie’s husband. Among Adkins’ biggest country hits over the years include “You’re Gonna Miss This,” “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk” and “Hillbilly Bone.”

“Monarch” is scheduled to debut midseason on Fox Jan. 30 after the NFC Championship game.

Sarandon’s film career features an Oscar-winning turn in “Dead Man Walking” as well as “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” “Thelma & Louise” and “Atlantic City.” She’s had TV roles in “Feud: Bette and Joan,” “Ray Donovan,” and the HBO film “You Don’t Know Jack.”

Friel was recently the lead in the Kelsey Grammer period drama “Charming the Hearts of Men” directed and written by Atlanta restaurateur Susan DeRose.