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Monarch
By Melissa Camacho,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Country music drama has violence, innuendo, drinking.
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Monarch
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Based on 1 parent review
What's the Story?
MONARCH is a drama series about a family trying to hold on to its legacy as a country music dynasty. Dottie Cantrell Roman (Susan Sarandon), the Roman family matriarch, is celebrating 40 years in the business along with her loyal husband Albie (Trace Adkins). But now she's terminally ill, and she wants to make sure that she is remembered as industry royalty. Dottie is encouraging her oldest daughter Nicollette (Anna Friel) to launch her solo career, and has named her son Luke (Joshua Sasse) as CEO of their label, Monarch Records, to keep the business going. Youngest daughter Gigi (Beth Ditto) isn't particularly interested in the business, but quietly has her own ambitions. Dottie will stop at nothing to ensure that they remain the first family of country, including doing what she has to in order to keep any secrets she's been hiding from coming out. Meanwhile, as the rest of the family copes with the loss, they are also settling the scores they have with each other.
Is It Any Good?
This soapy series features lots of strife and deceit as the Roman family contend with professional challenges, personal demons, and devastating secrets. Despite assertions that the siblings will always look out for each other, they also seem willing to compete against each other for attention, love, and success. However, Monarch features some solid musical performances, and occasional appearances by music celebs like Martina McBride and Shania Twain, which gives it some spark. The overall story world isn't particularly unique, but if you like country tunes mixed in with family drama, you might find it entertaining.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what it takes to succeed in the country music industry. Why is it so competitive? Is it any harder to be a country singer than it is to become a successful singer in other genre of music?
How does Monarch attempt to set itself apart from other music-themed dramas? Does it succeed?
TV Details
- Premiere date: September 11, 2022
- Cast: Susan Sarandon , Trace Adkins , Anna Friel
- Network: Fox
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Brothers and Sisters , Music and Sing-Along
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: September 24, 2023
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