Drag Race Canada is sashaying over to the UK with Michelle Visage as guest judge and we’re already gagging
Michelle Visage will be a guest judge on Canada’s Drag Race when it airs on BBC iPlayer. (BBC/Crave)
The BBC will serve drag with a side of Canadian bacon this summer, as Canada’s Drag Race sashays over the the UK.
With Drag Race UK delayed by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, BBC Three has announced it’s bringing us the next best thing.
Canada’s Drag Race will pit 12 queens against each for an “unapologetically Canadian” take on the franchise.
Fronted by season 11 runner-up Brooke Lynn Hytes, actor Jeffrey Boweyer-Chapman and model Stacey McKenzie, the spin-off will bring back old favourites such as the Snatch Game and the reading challenge, along with new twists and an unprecedented insight into the Canadian drag scene.
RuPaul welcomed Canada’s Drag Race to the BBC, calling the news “further proof that self-expression, creativity and the tenacity of the human spirit resonates around the globe”.
Though the queen of drag won’t be making an appearance on the show – barring any surprise cameos – the BBC has confirmed that Drag Race mainstay Michelle Visage will be joining as a guest judge.
The 10-part series will air on BBC iPlayer from July 3, with new episodes arriving a day after their air in Canada.
Among the Canada’s Drag Race cast is a pageant queen with more than 17 years experience, a two-spirit indigenous drag artist and a former children’s TV presenter.
Drag Race UK delayed by coronavirus.
RuPaul and Michelle are currently in the throes of All Stars 5, streaming on Netflix in the UK.
The pair were in London earlier this year filming season two of Drag Race UK.
However, the BBC announced back in March that the werk room had been temporarily vacated due to the pandemic.
Judge Alan Carr confirmed that at least one episode has been filmed, telling Radio Times: I’m filming but I don’t know who I’m on with, it’s so secretive. They’ve already filmed the first one. I can’t wait. I’m going to be like that kid in that Alton Towers advert saying, ‘One more sleep!’”
Canada’s Drag Race starts July 3 on BBC Three in the UK. It premieres July 2 on Crave in Canada and on WOW Presents Plus in the US and select territories.
