Fox’s ‘Monarch’ Executive Producer on the Show’s Inspiration: The ‘Romanov Dynasty’ in Austin, Texas (Fall TV Preview)

thewrap.com:

Fox heads to the heart of Texas on Sunday night, blending country music with family squabbles and raw ambition in its new primetime drama “Monarch.”Debuting the first of its two-episode premiere right after the Fox NFL doubleheader, “Monarch” follows the Roman family members as they strive to maintain their first family of country music status, established by matriarch Dottie Cantrell Roman (Susan Sarandon) and Albie Roman (Trace Adkins). “So the original inspiration was I thought, ‘What if I reimagined the Romanov dynasty as a family of country stars in Austin, Texas?’” executive producer and creator Melissa London Hilfers told TheWrap of the show’s inspiration. “And I wanted it to be a big, opulent, multi-generational drama.”The show focuses on all of the Romans and their associates, but opens not only with Sarandon’s Dottie and Adkins’ Albie hosting a press conference, but with a focus on eldest daughter, Nicky Roman (“Pushing Daisies” alum Anna Friel).

She’s starting to emerge from beneath the shadow of her superstar parents, but some are left wondering if she is truly the heir to the Roman crown.“And I also really, because of who I am, and where I am in my life, got fascinated with the idea – and again, this goes back to my crazy Romanov research – but of someone who is the heir apparent, and has all this pressure on them, but in the modern day, a woman who’s turned 40, who finally has her chance to make her dreams come true,” London Hilfers continued. “Because before that, life got in the way.

She had kids and a husband and a demanding family and all these obligations. And the idea that if your time comes in the entertainment industry and you’re over 40, is it too late?