NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Move over, Queens.
Murray Hill -- the iconic drag king from the Peabody Award-winning HBO series "Somebody Somewhere," in which Hill plays Fred Rococo -- will host the first-ever drag king competition series, à la "RuPaul's Drag Race."
But the producers behind the 6-episode "King of Drag," which will debut in Spring 2025 and streamed on the LGBTQ+ service Revry, are quick to point out that this show -- which is currently casting for Kings -- is not like other shows in the genre.
"We're going to give the drag competition format a run for its money and give audiences something fresh and original," Christopher J. Rodriguez, cofounder and chief content officer at Revry, said in a statement, adding that Hill's "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 first season run through Jan. 5, 2025, and contestant hopefuls may at http://www.revry.tv/king-of-drag-application.
The series' first season "will follow the journey of eight of America’s top drag king performers as they compete for the title of 'King of Drag,'" according to a news release. "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. In each episode, we will learn more about the individual king’s backstory, what motivates them, and their goals for kinging."
Hill said, "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."
The show will also "represent drag while promoting inclusion, authentic self-expression, and diverse gender identities including trans masc, cisgender women, non-binary and more," according to a press release.