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BBC comedy Smoggie Queens confirms release date with trailer
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BBC comedy Smoggie Queens confirms release date with trailer

BBC comedy Smoggie Queens confirms release date with trailer

The BBC has confirmed the release date for its new queer drag comedy Smoggie queens and next to a first trailer.

Created by and featuring comedian and Feel good actor Phil Dunning, Smoggie queens follows a band of queer misfit friends living in Middlesborough, in the north-east of England.

The BBC has now confirmed that Smoggie queens will land on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer at 10:10 p.m. GMT on November 28, after the Drag racing in the UK season six finale.

THE sitcom sees the group of friends “navigate life, love and wigs,” in the town’s small, close-knit LGBTQ+ community.

“It’s basically a completely slapstick sitcom with a big gay heart,” Dunning said of the new series, in which he plays Dickie, the show’s leading lady, a hilarious narcissist and ultimate drag diva .

Clockwise from bottom left: Patsy Lowe as Sal, Elijah Young as Stewart, Alexandra Mardell as Lucinda, Mark Benton as Mam and Phil Dunning as Dickie in Smoggie Queens. (BBC)

Waterloo Road Star Mark Benton is Mam, the group’s older but not always wiser mother, self-proclaimed sweetheart Lucinda (Coronation Streetby Alexandra Mardell), and the “woman of few words” Sal (Vera(It’s Patsy Lowe).

Despite Dickie’s reservations, the group is also joined by drag newcomer and Dickie’s personal punching bag (literally) Stewart (Elijah Young).

There’s also a lip-sync appearance from a little-known character RuPaul’s Drag Race judge called Michelle Faceplaying Elaine.

Michelle Visage from Drag Race makes an appearance in Smoggie Queens.
Michelle Visage from Drag Race makes an appearance in Smoggie Queens. (BBC)

Ted Lasso star Bill Fellows, Steph’s packed lunch host Steph McGovern, and Peaky Blinders actress Charlotte Riley also makes appearances.

In the very short time of 25 seconds trailer, Smoggie queens promises death drops, wild Pride shenanigans, fairytale scenes, screams and lots of queens.

Speaking about what makes a “Smoggie Queen,” Dunning said: “A Smoggie Queen is someone who’s a little bit crazy. Someone who doesn’t conform to the status quo. A foreigner and ideally someone from Teesside but this is not a prerequisite. We are very inclusive.

He went on to say that he hopes audiences will experience a feeling of “joy and exhilaration” while watching the brand new comedy.

“It would be nice if an audience wanted to spend time with the queens. Each of the gangs are so different and they all have their own quirks and characteristics. Hopefully an audience will identify with at least one of them. Just like the Spice Girls.

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