Netflix Fans Outraged, Demand Hit Show’s Return After Sudden Cancellation

RuPaul’s Drag Race fans are calling for the show to make a full-time return to Netflix after its move to a subscription-based streaming service left many struggling to access it. The Emmy-winning series, which has been nominated for 39 awards and won 19, has become a global phenomenon. The show pits the world’s most talented drag queens against each other, testing their charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent to determine who will take home the crown.

While RuPaul’s Drag Race UK and RuPaul’s Drag Race: UK Versus the World are broadcast on BBC, the US version of the show was previously available on Netflix for UK viewers. However, in 2022, it was announced that the show would move to WOW Presents Plus, a streaming platform costing £4.49 per month or £44.90 per year.

Until the move, UK fans could watch seasons one to 13 of RuPaul’s Drag Race on Netflix, along with specials such as RuPaul’s Drag Race Holi-Slay Spectacular, RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars, RuPaul’s Secret Celebrity Drag Race, and RuPaul’s Drag Race: Untucked!.

Now, fans are frustrated by the shift, with many claiming it has impacted the show’s reach and popularity. Drag Race star Crystal Envy recently added to the debate on X, questioning why contestants no longer receive the same level of online engagement, told The Mirror.

“Honestly, it’s really sad the girls don’t get the same engagement they used to… like most of our goals is 100K followers on IG. Yet just a few seasons ago, the girls used to hit 100K within the first episode…. What HAPPENED?!?” she wrote.

One fan was quick to respond with a passionate plea: “PUT!! DRAG!! RACE!! BACK!! ON!! NETFLIX!!!” They continued, “That’s how I even discovered Drag Race—because weirdly my first season was All Stars 4 (I saw a compilation on YouTube and was interested) and it was on Netflix, so that’s how I watched!!!”

Another viewer highlighted accessibility issues, writing: “Netflix, please think of me and my college roommates who don’t want to get viruses from less-than-legal sites.” A third added: “I remember when all the seasons were on Netflix!!!! Like, Drag Race marathons were a thing. I became a fan of queens that I wasn’t before.”

Many believe the show’s absence from Netflix limits its cultural impact and reach, particularly for those who might need its messages of self-acceptance the most. “RuPaul’s Drag Race is a groundbreaking show that has not only opened up the minds of millions to new ideas but also shown everyone who watches that it’s okay to be who they are,” one supporter wrote.

“Without this show on Netflix, the messages it shares will be lost to many who need them most. We need to stop this from happening.” The growing demand highlights fans’ desire for Drag Race to return to a widely accessible platform, ensuring it continues to inspire and entertain audiences across the UK.

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