The half-hour period dramedy series will chronicle a fictionalized version of RuPaul's rise from club kid to drag queen, gay icon and global superstar.
- March 21, 2017
AceShowbiz -
J.J. Abrams' Bad Robot is teaming up with "The RuPaul Show" producer World of Wonder to develop a dramedy series based on RuPaul's life. The half-hour period series will offer up a fictionalized version of RuPaul, tracing his rise from a club kid to drag queen, TV personality, international gay icon, singer and his current status as global superstar.
Set in 1980s New York during the Reagan era, the series will be written by Gary Lennon ("Power", "Orange Is the New Black", "Justified"). The series is set up at Warner Bros. TV, where Bad Robot is based. According to Deadline, the series is expected to be shopped around the marketplace soon.
Born and raised in San Diego, RuPaul later moved to Atlanta to study performing arts. The drag superstar settled in New York where he became a popular fixture on nightclub scene. That particular era of his life sparks the idea of the series.
Along with Abrams and Ben Stephenson, RuPaul will serve as executive producer. World of Wonder's Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato and Tom Campbell are also on board as executive producers.
RuPaul, born RuPaul Andre Charles, has a long-established collaboration with World of Wonder. He appeared on the company's Channel 4 series "Manhattan Cable" as well as toplined its series "The RuPaul Show" back in 1990s. RuPaul is currently hosting WOW-produced show "RuPaul's Drag Race", which heads into its ninth season, and won an Emmy Award for best reality series host last fall.
Meanwhile, Bad Robot currently produces HBO drama series "Westworld" and new drama series on Hulu, "Castle Rock", which is based on the works of Stephen King.
