The BBC has set the release date for Dear Viv, a deeply personal tribute to the late drag superstar The Vivienne, aiming to honour her remarkable life and inspire all who watch it.
Winner of the first season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2019, finalist on Dancing on Ice, and a celebrated West End performer, The Vivienne – born James Lee Williams – died in January at just 32 years old. An inquest heard that a “relatively high” level of ketamine was present in her system at the time of death.
Following her passing, the drag and LGBTQ+ community came together in grief and celebration. Hundreds gathered at a vigil in Liverpool, and RuPaul paid tribute with an emotional speech at DragCon.
A Celebration of Talent and Legacy
Produced by World of Wonder, the creative team behind RuPaul’s Drag Race, Dear Viv promises to be a celebratory yet intimate portrait of The Vivienne’s journey — from a cheeky childhood in North Wales and Liverpool to becoming a global drag icon.
The film will weave together interviews, family photographs, home videos, archival clips, and never-before-seen Drag Race backstage footage. Friends, family, and fellow queens — including Baga Chipz, Michael Marouli, Danny Beard, Tia Kofi, Cheryl Hole, Raja, Monet X Change, and Trinity The Tuck — will share memories of her artistry, humour, and kindness.
Addressing Struggles with Honesty
The documentary will also touch on The Vivienne’s own admissions about her struggle with ketamine addiction — the same addiction that tragically ended her life.
World of Wonder co-founders Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato described producing the film as bittersweet:
“Although she left us far too soon, her life was defined by her breathtaking talent, scene-stealing charisma, and infinite kindness. We hope her vision and her voice shine through in Dear Viv and that it inspires everyone who watches it.”
A Fitting BBC Tribute
Nasfim Haque, head of content for BBC Three, called the film “a fitting tribute to The Vivienne, who truly was a trailblazer in the world of drag”, adding that her artistry opened doors for many who followed.
Release Date and How to Watch
Dear Viv will be available to watch on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer from 28 August.
For more information about the documentary and The Vivienne’s legacy, visit the official BBC Three page. For more LGBTQ+ news, tributes, and cultural coverage, explore the Enola Global news section.
