Godzilla fans have plenty of reasons to be excited right now – the giant monster franchise is making its way to the small screen with Monarch: Legacy of Monsters later this month, but before that, Supa-Fans will be able to watch its first episode via a Special Australian Advance Screening at Supanova in Brisbane (11-12 November), thanks to Apple TV+.

The special screening of episode 1 is set to take place in the Cosplay Theatre on November 11 at 5:30pm, directly after the Supanova Cosplay Showcase.

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters takes place in the aftermath of 2014’s Godzilla, as the world grapples with the existence of giant beasts and the damage done by the devastating showdown between “Big G” and the MUTOs in San Francisco.

As a long-form TV drama, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters will distinguish itself from the feature films by delving deep into the mysteries and figures behind the Monarch organisation. The series has found a perfect home on Apple TV+, which has built a strong reputation for itself with character-driven series like Ted Lasso, and big science fiction spectacles like Foundation and See.

Aside from Godzilla itself, Legendary’s Monsterverse fans will be excited about the introduction of new creatures and the return of familiar ones. The trailer drops plenty of hints about which Titans we’ll see in future episodes, promising some epic kaiju battles.

When considering the human component of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, it was only fitting to cast an actor with a cinematic legacy as iconic as Godzilla’s. The show stars none other than cult hero Kurt Russell, who teams up with his real-life son, Wyatt, to play the same character (army officer Lee Shaw) over a span of three time periods beginning in the 1950s. Joining them is fan favourite John Goodman, who reprises his character Bill Randa, last seen on screen in Kong: Skull Island.

The series also boasts an impressive creative pedigree. Chris Black (a writer on Severance, Star Trek: Enterprise and Xena: Warrior Princess) serves as showrunner. Co-creator Matt Fraction is known for his work as a comic book writer, with contributions to titles like Hawkeye, The Invincible Iron Man, Uncanny X-Men, and The Immortal Iron Fist. In addition, Matt Shakman, who’s best known for his work on WandaVision, also directs the first two episodes of the series.

Fans who enjoyed the grittier tone of 2014’s Godzilla will be pleased that Monarch: Legacy of Monsters takes a more serious and atmospheric approach. The series’ dark aesthetic and focus on conspiracies and intrigue offers a refreshing contrast to 2021’s more light-hearted Kong vs. Godzilla.

A big-budget, prestige kaiju TV show is an amazing prospect on its own. However, what makes it truly exciting is that it’s centered on Godzilla and firmly grounded in the rich lore of the Monsterverse. With ten episodes, each running for 50 minutes, the series promises ample time for character development and world-building.

Following Supanova’s Special Australian Advance Screening in Brisbane, the first two episodes of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters will premiere on Apple TV+ on November 17, followed by one episode a week after that. You can find out more information about Monarch: Legacy of Monsters here.

‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’ is rated M for science fiction themes and violence