Nine Entertainment SVOD service Stan has revealed its original series, RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under, will be arriving to the platform in 2021.
The eight-part, first-ever local adaption of the global hit series will see “the most fabulous” and “fierce” local drag queens compete to be the first ever Down Under Drag Race Superstar, Stan said.
According to Nine, the Stan Original Series will be going into production this week. The highly anticipated local version of the most awarded reality competition show in history will be hosted by RuPaul, with co-judge and Drag Race veteran Michelle Visage by his side.
The drag queens competing in the premiere season of Down Under, the final judge on the main panel and celebrity guest appearances will be announced later this year.
Following the popular format, RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under will see queens serving high fashion realness, mini and max challenges, shady and heartfelt moments in the workroom, and of course, the all-important lip-sync for your life battles.
“I cannot wait for everyone to see that Down Under queens have some of the biggest charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talents in the world,” RuPaul said. “Thank you to Stan and TVNZ for providing a platform for these outrageous drag artists to share their heart, soul and humour.”
Stan chief content officer Nick Forward added: “You asked for it Australia, and now we’re bringing it to you—finally, our very own Aussie Drag Race, the new Stan Original Series RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under.
“The series is already a huge hit with our audience, so to now be working with RuPaul and the entire team at World of Wonder to create a local version is beyond a thrill. We can’t wait to reveal all the guest judges and see what our local queens bring to the global sensation that is RuPaul’s Drag Race.”
Stan Original Series RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under is a World of Wonder production in collaboration with Warner Bros. International Production New Zealand for Stan and TVNZ, currently filming in New Zealand.
Randy Barbato, Fenton Bailey, Tom Campbell and RuPaul Charles serve as executive producers. Passion Distribution will distribute the series globally in line with Passion Distribution and WOW’s distribution strategy.
The drag queens competing in the premiere season of Down Under, additional judges and celebrity guest appearances will be announced later this year.
The series will premiere in 2021, only on Stan.