TVFORMATS
BBC Three and World of Wonder have revealed that a U.K. version of RuPaul’s Drag Race is coming to the channel in 2019.
In the first U.K. adaptation of the show, RuPaul will be on the lookout to crown one of the country’s top drag artists as the “Queen of Great Britain.” RuPaul’s Drag Race UK has been given an initial order for eight hour-long episodes.
RuPaul said: “It is a dream come true to extend our royal family to the United Kingdom with our partners at BBC Three. I am beyond excited to celebrate the massive charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent of the Queen’s queens. And before anyone asks, yes, we would be thrilled to have Meghan Markle join us, as we are already preparing a ‘Royal-Mother-To-Be’ runway challenge.”
Damian Kavanagh, controller of BBC Three, added: “Needless to say, we’re delighted that BBC Three will be the home of a new U.K. version of Drag Race. It is one of the biggest entertainment titles in the world and anticipation levels for a U.K. version have been at feverish levels. With heart, humor and the un-imitable RuPaul, Drag Race is going to take BBC Three to a whole new level.”
Kate Phillips, BBC’s controller of entertainment commissioning, commented: “I’ve been a huge fan of this funny, frank and fierce format for a long time. I also know there is a wealth of very talented and very competitive drag artists in the U.K. and I can’t wait for them to sashay onto the BBC!”
Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato, World of Wonder co-founders and executive producers, said: “World of Wonder Productions began in the U.K., and the many Queens of England have always been an inspiration, so bringing RuPaul’s Drag Race to BBC Three is a very special homecoming”.
