RuPaul's Drag Race UK Season 2: start time, release date - and whether all episodes will be on BBC iPlayer

The show saw its fair share of logistical challenges, with production being paused halfway through filming due to the Covid-19 pandemic
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Tonight (14 January) sees the debut of the second series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK.

After the UK spin-off of the hit US series landed on our shores back in 2019, it was only a matter of time before we welcomed the next wave of UK queens to our screens.

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The show features drag artists from around the UK and challenges them with weekly tasks designed to test their drag skills, with their make-up skills, fashion sense, sewing abilities, comedy, singing, acting, and dancing all under close scrutiny.

RuPaul is back to preside over another batch of queens hoping to impress the drag superstar (Photo: BBC)RuPaul is back to preside over another batch of queens hoping to impress the drag superstar (Photo: BBC)
RuPaul is back to preside over another batch of queens hoping to impress the drag superstar (Photo: BBC)

12 contestants have been announced as taking part in the programme, including the first two Scottish contestants in Drag Race history, and the series is “even bigger than the first” according to the BBC.

All the queens will be assessed on their charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent. The bottom two queens have to lip sync their way to survival.

Judges RuPaul, Michelle Visage, Graham Norton, and Alan Carr will once again be on hand, alongside extra special celebrity guest judges (actress and model Elizabeth Hurley is the first).

Here is everything you need to know about it.

The contestants of RuPaul's Drag Race UK series two (Photo: BBC)The contestants of RuPaul's Drag Race UK series two (Photo: BBC)
The contestants of RuPaul's Drag Race UK series two (Photo: BBC)

Who are the contestants?

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With series one seeing the likes of Sum Ting Wong and fan favourite Baga Chipz battle it out to be crowned the UK’s next Drag Race superstar, the second instalment of the drama-doused BBC Three favourite is likely to bring with it a slew of memorable moments.

This series’ line-up of queens is once again a diverse bunch, reflecting the various quirks and idiosyncrasies of the British drag scene.

The line-up includes the first two Scottish contestants in Drag Race history, the first contestant to hail from Norfolk and the only non-binary drag queen in the UK in Ginny Lemon.

The other contenders making up the dozen are: Lawrence Chaney, Cherry Valentine, Bimini Bon Boulash, Ginny Lemon, Joe Black, Tia Kofi, Veronica Green, Sister Sister, Tayce, Ellie Diamond, Asttina Mandella, and A’Whora.

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For a full rundown of the contestants, check out our guide below.

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RuPaul’s Drag Race UK season 2 cast: meet the queens including Ginny Lemon, Elie...

How can I watch it?

Series two of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK begins on Thursday 14 January at 7pm on BBC iPlayer. Later episodes will be released weekly.

Queen of the show, RuPaul herself said: “Looking forward to better days! Season two will arrive with all the hope, joy, laughter and glitter you’ve come to expect from our brilliant queens.

"We feel honoured that you’ve embraced our little show, and our only wish is that we can offer a smile at a time when we can all use it the most."

What else is there?

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As a result of Covid-19 forcing a break in filming (production began in early 2020 but was halted in March), fans can also look forward to a one-off special.

RuPaul’s Drag Race UK: Queens On Lockdown will uncover how the queens of the series spent their downtime; some were left out of work in an industry “thrown to the side", while those not fortunate enough to call drag their full time profession found themselves furloughed from day jobs.

"It was a weird contrast to go from competing in the Olympics of drag… to the heart of a global pandemic,” contest Cherry Valentine told the BBC. “We'd had this amazing opportunity come our way and it was dead in its tracks."

But the break wasn’t without its perks. "There was time to rest in the hiatus," said queen Asttina Mandela. “We could focus on ourselves. It was almost a blessing in disguise in a way. There was time to heal because sometimes we don't give ourselves a break."

Queens On Lockdown will also be available on BBC iPlayer.

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