Martha Higareda to Star in Fox’s Country Music-Themed Musical Drama “Monarch”

Martha Higareda has gone country…

The 38-year-old Mexican actress, producer and screenwriter has joined the lead cast of Fox’s upcoming musical drama Monarch alongside Emma Milani.

Martha Higareda

Higareda and Milani will appear alongside Susan Sarandon, Albie Roman, Anna Friel, Trace Adkins and Beth Ditto.

Created by Melissa London HilfersMonarch is described as a Texas-sized, multigenerational musical drama about America’s first family of country music, the Romans. The Romans are headed by the insanely talented, but tough as nails Queen of Country Music Dottie Cantrell Roman (Sarandon). Along with her beloved husband, Albie (Adkins), Dottie has created a country music dynasty. But even though the Roman name is synonymous with authenticity, the very foundation of their success is a lie. And when their reign as country royalty is put in jeopardy, heir to the crown Nicolette “Nicky” Roman (Friel) will stop at nothing to protect her family’s legacy, while ensuring her own quest for stardom.

Higareda will play Catt Phoenix, the stunning and unpredictable mother of 17- year-old Ana Phoenix, a talented young singer and who is trying to get signed to the Roman Family’s record label. Catt harbors a deep-seated grudge against the Romans, Nicky in particular, and her presence creates quite a stir in Austin.

Milani will portray Ana Phoenix, the sweet, wide-eyed daughter of Catt with a beautiful voice, who is a recent TikTok sensation with her modern, Spanish language interpretation of Roman’s first hit song.

They join recently announced cast members Inigo Pascual, John Sasse and Meagan Holder.

Monarch debuts with a special two-night event beginning on Sunday, January 30.

Higareda can be seen in Hulu’s Into the Dark: Culture Shock. Her recent credits also include Netflix’s Altered Carbon, Queen of the South and Royal Pains.

Milani, who recently appeared on Solve, is a 2020 graduate of the Acting Conservatory at the Orange County School of the Arts. Also a vocalist, Milani has appeared in productions of The White Rose and 12 Angry Jurors.

Meagan Good to Direct & Star in the Indie Film “If Not Now”

Meagan Good is ready to pull double duty…

The 36-year-old part Puerto Rican actress will star in and direct the indie film If Not Now.

Meagan Good

The film will serve as the directorial debut for Goodand Tamara Bass.

In addition to Good and Bass, the film will also star Mekia Cox and Meagan Holder.

Written by Bass, the plot, described as a story of sisterhood and camaraderie, centers around four friends — Good, Cox, Holder, and Bass — who met while in high school and are bonded by an event that happens. Fifteen years later, they are suddenly forced to all come back together when one of them faces a crisis.

Valarie Pettiford, Edwin Hodge, Kyle Schmid, McKinley Freeman, Niles Fitch, Todd Williams and newcomer Lexi Underwood co-star in the pic which is slated to begin filming this month in LA.

Good, who recently starred in the Sundance Film Festival pic, A Boy. A Girl. A Dream, is producing the film with Bass under their Krazy Actress Productions banner.