Monarch, the country music family dynasty series starring Susan Sarandon, Trace Adkins, Anna Friel and Beth Ditto, has become the latest victim of Covid-19.Fox has pushed back the launch of the series from January to fall as a result of the rising spread of the virus.
The series was set to premiere on Sunday January 30.The network called the series, which is its first fully-owned drama, a “top priority” but was forced in to the move as a result of the impact of the pandemic on production.Fox is hoping that by shifting the show to fall of its 2022/23 season, it will benefit from having the entire first season produced and more time to market the drama.It is one of the most significant scalps of the rising spread of the Omicron variant.
A number of broadcast shows from NCIS to Chicago Fire and late-night shows such as The Late Late Show with James Corden and Late Night with Seth Meyers – have paused production, but Monarch shifting its premiere by nine months is a huge blow for the network.“With an incredible pedigree of talent and musical performances, the powerfully compelling drama, Monarch, is a top priority for Fox Entertainment in 2022,” said a Fox spokesman.“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.
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.
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