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2 September 2022

Fans are surprised after RuPaul announces Drag Race UK series five casting

We haven't even had a glimpse of series four yet!

By Alastair James

Words: Alastair James; pictures: World of Wonder

RuPaul is really on a roll! Without even giving us a glimpse of series four of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK casting for series five has opened. 

In a promo released on Friday (2 September) RuPaul calls for all UK queens to come forward.

“Casting for series five of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK is open, officially! We’re looking for Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve, and Talent. So if you’ve got what it takes, contact us now.”

However, as the caption on the promo reads, “Time is tight babes” with applications closing on 16 September. People are directed to rupaulsdragraceuk.com/casting to sign up. 

We’re not the only ones feeling slightly surprised to hear about a fifth series when we know little about series four. 

One person wrote on Twitter: “You haven’t even said who is on series 4 yet”

Someone else asked a legit question: “does rupaul and Michelle visage ever sleep??????”

Meanwhile, someone suggested “cast some drag kings!!!” which would be a long time coming for the Drag Race franchise as a whole. 

Drag Race UK series three made herstory with the casting Victoria Scone as an AFAB (Assigned Female At Birth) queen and while it did receive backlash from some within the Drag Race fandom, it was a sign of greater inclusion on the show.

The fourth series of Drag Race UK will debut on BBC Three and the Player on 22 September. 

Joining Mama Ru as always will be Michelle Visage as well as Alan Carr and Graham Norton on a rotational basis.

They will be joined by a glittering array of celebrity guest judges including Alison Hammond, Dame Joanna Lumley, and Olly Alexander.

Actress Hannah Waddingham, Boy George, fashion model and celebrity chef Lorraine Pascale, Spice Girls member Mel B, model, presenter, and influencer Leomie Anderson, and FKA twigs will also be appearing.

Sharing her excitement about appearing on the show, Dame Joanna Lumley says: “It thrills me to be a part of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. The show is astounding at every level, and I loved it from the very start.”

“RuPaul is the definition of what it is to be fabulous, and the show is packed with mad creativity, humour, and drop-dead glamour,” she continues. 

The last series of Drag Race UK concluded with Krystal Versace being declared the winner, following in the heels of The Vivienne and Lawrence Chaney. 

RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Series 4 returns to BBC Three and BBC iPlayer on 22 September at 9 pm.

The Attitude September/October issue is out now.

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