For the first time, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK is leaving the BBC. The franchise’s streaming home, WOW Presents Plus, has ordered a new All Stars edition of the UK series, with a global premiere set for Fall 2027.
The competition will celebrate “the artistry of the Queens who have worked the UK runway,” according to the announcement. It will stream alongside all eight seasons of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK and the three seasons of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs. The World.
The Move From The BBC
The shift marks a major change for the UK series. It previously aired on the BBC, and the news comes after The Sun reported the broadcaster had axed the main series amid major cuts.
Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato addressed the transition directly. “It has been a pleasure working with everyone at The BBC, and we wish them well,” they said in a statement.
“While we don’t get to choose when opportunity knocks, we could not be more excited for this new chapter.”
The pair did not confirm or deny The Sun’s reporting about the original show’s cancellation. They framed the move as a forward step rather than a reaction to the BBC’s cuts.
The Platform’s Role
WOW Presents Plus will now host the UK All Stars edition and the existing UK seasons. The platform’s role is central to the announcement.
Bailey and Barbato tied the move to a broader mission. “Historically, during times of anxiety and regression, the queer, trans, and drag communities are often targeted. Today is no exception,” they said.
“We at World of Wonder are so grateful to our members for their support, and we remain steadfast in the values that make RuPaul’s Drag Race more than just a fiercely entertaining show. For millions, it’s a lifeline, a safe space, and a celebration, and WOW Presents Plus is incredibly proud to keep providing that platform.”
The Franchise’s Global Reach
The UK edition is one part of a much larger network. The Drag Race franchise now runs local editions in Canada, México, Belgium, France, Brazil, Australia, the Philippines, and more.
The original US series continues to expand as well. MTV recently renewed RuPaul’s Drag Race for Season 19 and ordered Season 12 of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars.
That means the UK All Stars edition will join a crowded slate. The franchise is producing new seasons across multiple territories at once.
What We Don’t Know Yet
The announcement confirms the show exists and when it will premiere. It does not confirm several other details.
- The cast has not been announced.
- The judging panel has not been confirmed.
- The format has not been detailed.
- The number of episodes has not been given.
- Whether the BBC will carry the show in any form is not known.
The premiere date is Fall 2027, more than two years away.
Reading The Statement
The timing of the announcement is notable. It lands immediately after reports that the BBC dropped the original UK series.
Bailey and Barbato did not criticize the BBC in their statement. They thanked the broadcaster and pivoted to the future.
The phrase “we don’t get to choose when opportunity knocks” could be read as a diplomatic acknowledgment of the change. That reading is interpretation, not fact. The statement does not confirm the axing, and it does not deny it either.
For fans of the UK series, the news is a mix of loss and gain. The main show’s fate remains unclear, but the All Stars edition guarantees the UK Queens a returning spotlight.
A New Address
The All Stars announcement moves the UK brand from the BBC to a streaming platform. Bailey and Barbato spoke for World of Wonder, the company behind the announcement. Their statement leans heavily on the idea that the show serves a vulnerable audience.
The premiere is still two years out. That leaves time for casting and production, though no timeline has been given for either.
The Queens of the UK runway will get their All Stars moment. They will just have a new address when they do.
Source: deadline.com
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