“Somebody Somewhere” actor Murray Hill will host the first drag king competition reality series.
“King of Drag” will stream on LGBTQ+ platform Revry.
“I’m so excited to be working with Revry as the host of ‘King of Drag,’” Hill told Variety in a statement Monday.” “I started performing in 1995, so it’s long overdue for the kings to take center stage. This vibrant community deserves to be in the spotlight, and I’ll be their biggest hype man. I can’t wait to work with the kings and introduce them to the biggest audience possible, thanks to Revry. That’s showbiz.”
Season 1, with six episodes premiering in the spring, will feature eight of America’s top drag king performers as they compete for the title of King of Drag.
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“Rather than rehash the format of other drag competition shows, the series’ producers will showcase drag king’s unique talents including comedy, unconventional performances, and timely commentary on masculinity, which has been part of the drag king subculture for decades,” reads a press release announcing the show. “In each episode, we will learn more about the individual king’s backstory, what motivates them, and their goals for kinging.”
“’King of Drag’ is one of the most ambitious original programs we’ve ever developed,” Revry co-founder and chief content officer Christopher J. Rodriguez said. “We’re going to give the drag competition format a run for its money and give audiences something fresh and original.”
He added, “We are overjoyed to have Murray Hill host the series and introduce a new world of drag to global audiences. His comedy, wit, and experience will be a perfect match for a series that platforms a passionate group in the LGBTQ+ community who are blazing their own trails and carving new paths within the entertainment industry.”
Auditions for the series’ first season run through Jan. 5. Contestants can apply now at revry.tv/king-of-drag-application.
Hill’s credits include “Drag Me to Dinner,” “Life & Beth,” and Paul Feig’s recent comedy “Jackpot” starring John Cena and Awkwafina. His memoir “Showbiz! My Life as a Middle-Aged Man” will be released in 2025.
