Trace Adkins stars opposite Susan Sarandon in the upcoming TV drama, Monarch, airing on FOX. The Grand Ole Opry member has a lengthy history of acting roles, but admits he was initially “terrified” to work with Sarandon — until he actually met her.
“I quickly realized, oh my God, she’s so professional and so good that she’s gonna carry the scene,” Adkins tells People. “So, if you don’t throw up on yourself, you’ll probably be OK because she’s gonna do all the heavy lifting. I just swam in her wake the whole time and had a ball.”
Adkins and Sarandon play country music’s legendary power couple, Albie and Dottie Roman. Although the role is fictitious, Adkins finds a lot of similarities between himself and Albie, including their lasting careers in country music.
“He’s very much like me,” Adkins acknowledges. “I mean, I can look back over periods in my life where the train was perpetually off the track, and that’s Albie’s world. The train is perpetually off the track. Sometimes it’s his fault, sometimes it’s not, but he has to deal with that stuff.”
Adkins may not have the acting credits that Sarandon does, or some of the other members of the Monarch cast. Still, he has had an entire career making music, as well as starring in other films and TV shows, all places he feels equally at home.
“When I’m in the studio, it’s just such a creative environment that stimulates me, and I just absolutely love it,” Adkins says. “Television sets and movie sets are the same way. Everybody is so talented in that environment. I love the creativity, and I like being a part of it.”
The 60-year-old might have some differences from the person he portrays in Monarch, but he does admit there are a few similarities between who he is and who he plays on the dramatic TV show.
“He’s a no-nonsense kind of guy, and I’m kind of that way too,” Adkins tells Fox News. “He’s not very animated, and neither am I. We say what we’ve gotta say, and don’t have to yell it … just kind of move through this life as softly and peacefully as they’ll allow us to, but when they don’t – we’ll do what we’ve gotta do.”
Monarch will premiere with a special two-night event on Sunday, Sept. 11, immediately following the FOX NFL doubleheader, between 8:00 and 9:00 PM ET. The show will then move to Tuesday nights, beginning on September 20, at 9:00 PM ET.