The GLAAD Wrap brings you LGBTQ-related entertainment news highlights, fresh stuff to watch out for, and fun diversions to help you kick off the weekend.
1) The documentary Queen of the Capital was released last week on Alamo Drafthouse’s On Demand platform. The film follows Muffy Blake Stephyns, a drag performer in Washington DC, following her dream to lead a group of philanthropic drag performers, as she runs for Empress of the Imperial Court of Washington D.C.. The film is available to watch here.
2) A trailer has been released for French film Summer of ’85, which follows two teen boys falling in love in Normandy in the ‘80s. The film tells the story of 16-year-old Alexis who is saved by 18-year-old David, as the two embark on a friendship turned into something more for the summer that could lead to dangerous ends. It will release in France on July 14; details of a U.S. release are still unknown. Watch the trailer below. Now and Then, an upcoming UK film, has cast Richard Armitage in the role of Chris, a gay man who returns to his childhood home following the death of his father, confronting memories of his time in school and an intense, passionate affair he shared with fellow student, Stephen. The film will begin shooting in 2021.
3) The first trailer has been released for documentary Denise Ho: Becoming the Song. The film follows the Cantopop star turned activist, from her experience as the first major female star in Hong Kong to come out as gay in 2012, to her publicly supporting protesters which resulted in her music being banned in mainstream China. The film premieres today at the Virtual Frameline Film Festival, and will be released digitally on July 1.Out writer and filmmaker Nahnatchka Khan will be adapting Dial A For Aunties for Netflix. The film, based on a novel to be published in 2021, follows a wedding photographer who has to hide the body of her blind date while working a rich wedding.
4) Bad Hair, the horror satire from out director Justin Simien, has been announced to premiere on Hulu in October. The film follows an ambitious young woman in 1989 who decides to wear a wig to succeed in the image-obsessed world of music television. However, her flourishing career may come at a great cost when she realizes that her new hair may have a mind of its own. The cast includes Lena Waithe and Laverne Cox. In other Waithe news, her semi-autobiographical BET series Twenties has been renewed for a second season.
5) Syfy’s hit supernatural family drama Wynonna Earp will officially return on July 26 after fans fought for the newest season! The season will be split with six episodes airing beginning in July, and production will begin on the latter six episodes of the season when it is safe to re-open for filming. Check out the trailer below, including some cute #Wayhaught moments.
6) HBO Max will be releasing film We Were There Too from Gloria Calderon Kellett and Natasha Rothwell. Per the description, “The film is a classic 80’s coming of age story set in John Hughes’ Chicago but in this story the Brat Pack is in the background, and for the first time the focus is on the Brown kids, the LGBTQ kids, the Black kids, the real outsiders, because they were there, too. ”Out actress Kristen Stewart has been cast in Spencer as princess Diana. The film takes place over a weekend where Diana tries to break ties with Prince Charles. It is expected to begin production in early 2021, and will be distributed in the U.S. by Neon. Out actress Tessa Thompson has been cast in thriller Balestra as a competitive fencer who uses a device to help with her Olympic comeback.
I can’t quite put into words how excited I am to be working on this project with @everythingloria!!! https://t.co/XPvOJTiuSc
— Natasha Rothwell (@natasharothwell) June 22, 2020
7) HBO’s Betty has been renewed for a second season. The show follows a group of young women skateboarders in New York, and includes several queer girls among the ensemble. The trailer for the fourth season of Hulu’s critically acclaimed The Handmaid’s Tale has been released. The trailer shows the group of women organizing and fighting back against the oppressive Gilead, including lesbian characters Moira (out actress Samira Wiley) and Emily (Alexis Bledel). Season four will premiere in 2021, watch the trailer below.
8) Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, the musical comedy which features Mo played by out actor Alex Newell, has been renewed for a second season. Netflix’s Lucifer has been renewed for a sixth and final season, though the streamer had previously announced that the fifth season would be its last. The titular Lucifer as well as character Mazikeen are both bisexual on the show, which will release the first half of its fifth season on August 21.
9) The first trailer has been released for Canada’s Drag Race, showing the Canadian spinoff’s contestants, guest judges and more. The show will be judged by Drag Race’s Brooke Lynn Hytes along with out actor Jeffrey Bower-Chapman and model Stacey McKenzie. The show will premiere on WOW Presents Plus on July 2; watch the trailer below. In more TV news, HBO has also announced Coastal Elites, a new satire filmed entirely from quarantine following a group of people in New York and LA. The cast includes out actors Dan Levy and Sarah Paulson in a star-studded cast, the show will air in September.
10) Out singer and drag queen Trixie Mattel released a new video for the song “Stranger,” covering the infamous song from Lavender Country, a band helmed by gay country singer Patrick Haggerty. All proceeds from the song will go to the Marsha P. Johnson Institute. Watch the video below. Fab the Duo, musical group and real-life couple released their new EP Our Love is Resistance last Friday, as well as the video for the title track, which takes place at the Stonewall Inn. Download and stream the EP here and watch the video here.
11) A new graphic novel The Science of Ghosts from writer Lilah Sturges and artist Alitha E. Martinez was announced from Legendary comics. The book follows Joy Ravenna, a transgender parapsychologist who investigates paranormal activity at an heiress’ estate while trying to navigate her own relationships with her ex wife and new girlfriend. It will hit shelves in Summer 2021. Another graphic novel announced is She-Ra: Legend of the Fire Princess, following the world of the Netflix show, based on stories by out creator Noelle Stevenson. Purchase the book here.
Y’all I’m so excited!
My OGN with Alitha E. Martinez (@Ariotstorm) has just been announced! It’s called The Science of Ghosts and it’s a supernatural murder mystery/romance starring a trans woman who is a forensic parapsychologist. Out next summer!https://t.co/upi7jAmStI
— Lilah Sturges, Kindness Lady (@LilahSturges) June 25, 2020