Fox delays Monarch's premiere until fall over COVID delays

Deadline

The Atlanta-based country music family dynasty drama starring Susan Sarandon, Trace Adkins, Anna Friel and Beth Ditto was originally scheduled to premiere after the NFL's NFC Championship Game on Jan. 30. But complications due to filming amid the Omicron surge has led Fox to push back Monarch's premiere to the fall season. Fox hopes that by shifting the show to the 2022-2023 season, it will benefit from having the entire first season produced and more time to market the drama. “With an incredible pedigree of talent and musical performances, the powerfully compelling drama, Monarch, is a top priority for Fox Entertainment in 2022,” Fox said in a statement. “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. 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.”