Fox’s Drama ‘Monarch’ Pushed to Fall as COVID Hampers Production

Monarch Fox Susan Sarandon Trace Adkins
Susan Sarandon and Trace Adkins of 'Monarch' will wait till next season (Image credit: Fox)

Fox said its highly promoted country music drama Monarch is being pushed to the fall because production is being hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The series was supposed to launch in the high-profile timeslot after the NFC Championship Game on January 30. Fox said it would announce replacement programming for January 30 and for Monarch’s planned regular timeslot of Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT in the coming days.

Monarch stars Trace Adkins, Susan Sarandon and Anna Friel, with Josh Sasse, Beth Ditto, Meagan Holder, Inigo Pascual, Martha Higareda and Emma Milani.

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“With an incredible pedigree of talent and musical performances, the powerfully compelling drama, Monarch, is a top priority for Fox Entertainment in 2022. 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 Entertainment spokesperson said. 

“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,” the spokesperson said. “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.” ■ 

Jon Lafayette

Jon has been business editor of Broadcasting+Cable since 2010. He focuses on revenue-generating activities, including advertising and distribution, as well as executive intrigue and merger and acquisition activity. Just about any story is fair game, if a dollar sign can make its way into the article. Before B+C, Jon covered the industry for TVWeek, Cable World, Electronic Media, Advertising Age and The New York Post. A native New Yorker, Jon is hiding in plain sight in the suburbs of Chicago.