Melissa London Hilfers Latest Celebrity News & Gossip

EXCLUSIVE: The Roman’s country music dynasty is over.

Martina McBride became a household name as a country singing sensation nearly three decades ago, and she recently received a host of new fans while starring on the new FOX drama "Monarch." "I’m so excited," McBride exclusively told Fox News Digital. "I mean, I read the script, and I was like, ‘This is juicy, it’s big, it’s exciting.’ I was really thrilled to be asked to be a part of it." McBride was shocked to even be included in the roster when it came to casting country all-stars to appear on the epic series, which stars Trace Adkins, Anna Friel, Beth Ditto and Academy Award-winner Susan Sarandon.

Empire had its final curtain call in 2020, but has also wanted to see something that explores the country music industry in the same vein, Fox’s new series Monarch might be what you have been looking for. Even if this style of twangy, Southern-fried music is not your preference, creator Melissa London Hilfers' drama chronicling the dysfunctional (and sometimes deadly) dynamic of the “First Family in County Music” boasts a stellar ensemble that might be enough to pique your interest in checking out its Sunday, September 11, premiere alone.

Emily Longeretta SPOILER ALERT: Do not read if you have not watched Fox’s Sept. 11 premiere of “Monarch.” With Susan Sarandon at the front of every “Monarch” poster around town, viewers may have been shocked to see that at the end of Sunday’s premiere, her character, Dottie Roman, is seemingly dead. During the first episode, which aired following the NFL game on Fox, Dottie learns she has cancer but is determined to die on her own terms. She enlists her daughter Nicky (Anna Friel) to help her, holding her hand while she swallows an entire bottle of pills. Despite the shocking episode end, the show’s producers promise there’s much more to come with Sarandon.

Emily Longeretta Grab your cowboy boots. Fox is making a major push for the upcoming premiere of “Monarch,” Variety can exclusively share. On Thursday, Sept. 8, the “Monarch” retail pop-up shop will open in New York City on 27 Mercer Street. It will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Sunday, Sept. 11, the premiere date. The fully customized space will include items from many of the show’s partners including Allen’s Boots, Fret Zealot Music, Nyrelle Jewelry and Union Western Apparel. There will be a photo opportunity for fans to sit in the “Queens of Country” throne and attendees can take home a customized bandana or snapback hat.

EXCLUSIVE: Fox’s Monarch is getting a new boss after former Designated Survivor showrunner Jon Harmon Feldman took over the reins of the musical drama series.

EXCLUSIVE: Reshma Shetty (Royal Pains), Damon Dayoub (Stitchers) and D.W. Moffett (Switched at Birth) have been cast in heavily recurring roles opposite Susan Sarandon, Anna Friel, Trace Adkins and Beth Ditto in Fox’s upcoming musical drama Monarch.

EXCLUSIVE: Callum Kerr (Hulu’s Four Weddings and a Funeral) and Kevin Cahoon (GLOW) are set for heavily recurring roles opposite Susan Sarandon, Anna Friel, Trace Adkins and Beth Ditto in Fox’s upcoming musical drama Monarch.

Fox’s upcoming musical drama Monarch gets some Tony-winning talent as Broadway’s Faith Prince joins the cast in a major recurring role. She will appear opposite stars Susan Sarandon, Anna Friel, Trace Adkins and Beth Ditto.

Eva Amurri (Undateable, Californication), Susan Sarandon’s daughter, will join her mom in Fox’s upcoming straight-to-series music dynasty drama Monarch, produced by Fox Entertainment.

Martha Higareda (Into The Dark: Culture Shock, Altered Carbon) and Emma Milani (Solve) have joined the lead cast of Fox’s upcoming musical drama Monarch. They will appear alongside Susan Sarandon, Albie Roman, Anna Friel, Trace Adkins and Beth Ditto.

Filipino actor, singer and songwriter Inigo Pascual has joined the cast of Fox’s upcoming musical drama Monarch in a leading role. He will appear alongside Susan Sarandon, Albie Roman, Anna Friel, Trace Adkins and Beth Ditto.

EXCLUSIVE: Dave and Pitch alum Meagan Holder has joined the lead cast of Fox’s upcoming musical drama Monarch. She will appear opposite Susan Sarandon, Albie Roman, Anna Friel, Trace Adkins and Beth Ditto.

Susan Sarandon and Anna Friel are set to star in Fox’s straight-to-series country music dynasty drama Monarch, produced by Fox Entertainment.

EXCLUSIVE: Seasoned TV director-producer Jason Ensler has been tapped to direct and executive produce the opening episode of Fox’s straight-to-series country music dynasty drama Monarch, produced by Fox Entertainment, and NBC’s drama pilot Dangerous Moms, from Warner Bros. TV and Universal TV. He is shooting the two pilots back-to-back in Atlanta.

Fox’s new midseason country music drama series Monarch will launch with a two-night premiere event, beginning Sunday January 30 following the NFC Championship Game, and continuing Tuesday, February 1.

Mónica Marie Zorrilla Fox has ordered the country music drama series “Monarch” for the 2021-2022 broadcast season from executive producer and creator Melissa London Hilfers. The show, formerly known as “Untitled Country Music Dynasty,” will feature original songs and covers.Per the logline, the one-hour drama is a Texas-sized, multigenerational musical drama about America’s first family of country music.

Nellie Andreeva Co-Editor-in-Chief, TVEXCLUSIVE: Fox Entertainment is opening a writers room for its Untitled Country Music Dynasty drama from writer/exec producer Melissa London Hilfers with an eye toward potential straight-to-series order for the 2021-22 season. The decision on the project, exec produced by Gail Berman, Hend Baghdady and leading country music manager Jason Owen, is part of a recalibration of the network’s approach to development.