Susan Sarandon to star in "Monarch"

'Monarch' matriarch: When you hear the name Susan Sarandon, you probably associate the actress with the 1975 film "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" or 1991's "Thelma and Louise" or her Oscar-winning performance in "Dead Man Walking" (1995), just to name a few.

Sarandon's acting resume is chock-full of film and TV credits (including "Ray Donovan"), and another TV series has just been added to the list: Fox's "Monarch."

Set to premiere Jan. 30, the upcoming drama series is the fictional multigenerational story of a country music dynasty headed by the talented but tough as nails matriarch Dottie Cantrell Roman (Sarandon) and her beloved husband, Albie, played by country music star Trace Adkins ("The Lincoln Lawyer," 2011). Dottie is known as the Queen of Country Music and the Roman family name has become synonymous with authenticity, but it turns out their success was built on a lie -- and per Fox, "their reign as country royalty is put in jeopardy."

There have been quite a few other additions to the cast. British actress Anna Friel ("Pushing Daisies") has been cast as the heir to the crown, Nicolette "Nicky" Roman, who will stop at nothing to protect her family's legacy while embarking on her own quest for stardom.

Another English actor, Josh Sasse ("Galavant"), has been tapped to play son Luke Roman, who, despite being the CEO of Monarch Entertainment (the family's business), never seems to get his father's approval.

It seems Luke isn't the only one struggling with the family dynamics. Actress/singer Beth Ditto ("On Becoming A God in Central Florida") will star as sister Gigi Taylor-Roman, who feels like an outcast despite being immensely talented.

Finally, "Dave and Pitch" actress Meagan Holder will play the role of Gigi's ambitious wife, music manager Kayla Taylor-Roman, whose relationship with the rest of the Roman family reflects a complicated history.

Fraser, the 'Pro': A big name in Hollywood during the late '90s and early 2000s, American-Canadian actor Brendan Fraser has been making a well-deserved comeback of late, what with his prominent role in HBO Max's "Doom Patrol" and in Martin Scorsese's upcoming film for Apple TV , "Killers of the Flower Moon."

Fraser has also been in the news for a series that has already aired -- in Europe, anyway. Stateside, CW recently scored the rights to air "Professionals," meaning North American audiences will finally get a chance to watch the 2020 Irish-South African action series starring Fraser and "Smallville's" Tom Welling.

A loose remake of the 2012 film "Soldiers of Fortune" starring Christian Slater ("Mr. Robot"), "Professionals" centers on Welling's character, Vincent Corbo.

Corbo is a top-tier security operative who is paid to protect the interests of his rich and powerful clients by any means necessary, legal or not. He is hired by billionaire futurist and rocket designer Peter Swann (played by Fraser), who suspects sabotage after his next-gen medical satellite explodes on launch.

Corbo's latest gig is complicated by the fact that his former paramour, medical visionary Dr. Grace Davila (played by Elana Anaya, who was Doctor Poison in the 2017 film "Wonder Woman") is now Swann's fiancée.

According to the official logline: "As Corbo and his team of veteran security professionals investigate the rocket disaster, they expose a lethal conspiracy of Swann's corporate rivals, corrupt government officials and a shadowy crime syndicate — all working to destroy Swann and take control of his tech empire."

That's not all: Corbo also has to deal with a rogue Europol agent played by Ken Duken ("Inglorious Bastards," 2009), who is intent on busting the leading man for his past crimes.

A premiere date will be announced at a later time.

Keep spinning: Pat Sajak and Vanna White are staying put.

Sony Pictures Television renewed Sajak's and White's contracts prior to the launch of the hit game show's 39th season, meaning the "Wheel of Fortune" duo, who have been synonymous with the show since its current version debuted in 1983, are set to remain on the air through the 2023-24 season, at least.

Sajak also picked up some additional duties: for a second year, Sajak will serve as consulting producer in addition to his on-screen role as host — an extra credit that may have added significance this year, given the events that have been unfolding behind the scenes of "Wheel of Fortune" and its sister show, "Jeopardy!"

Until recently, both shows shared an executive producer. Mike Richards had also joined "Jeopardy!" as executive producer in 2020 and was slated to replace the late Alex Trebek as host. That decision didn't sit well with fans, who decried the "inside hire." The controversy brought new scrutiny to discrimination lawsuits filed against him during his time at "The Price Is Right" (two were dismissed and one was settled out of court).

Richards ultimately stepped down as host over offensive comments made on a podcast he hosted in 2013 and 2014, and a few weeks later he was out as executive producer, too. (Embassy Row executive Michael Davis stepped in to fill the EP role on an interim basis.)

As for Sajak, the 74-year-old host represents continuity. While more than a few changes were introduced this season, Sajak's dual role as consulting producer and host means he'll continue to play a big part in maintaining the show's overall tone in the next few years.