BBC announces Vivienne film release date and promises it will be ‘fitting tribute’ to the drag icon

Aug 07
Written by Sophie Perry

Dear Viv, a documentary about The Vivienne’s life, is on BBC iPlayer. (Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)

Dear Viv, a documentary about The Vivienne's life, is on BBC iPlayer. (Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)

The BBC has announced the release date of a touching tribute to The Vivienne, entitled Dear Viv, with hopes it “inspires everyone who watches it”.

The winner of the first series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2019, a Dancing on Ice finalist and West End star, The Vivienne – real name James Lee Williams – died in January at the age of 32. An inquest into the drag performer’s death subsequently heard she had “relatively high” level of ketamine in her system at the time of death.

The world of drag and the wider LGBTQ+ mourned the star with hundreds of people turning out to pay tribute to her at a vigil in Liverpool, also RuPaul gave a heartwarming speech in her honour at DragCon.

Made by World of Wonder – the producers of the Drag Race franchise – Dear Viv promises a “celebratory deeply personal portrait of The Vivienne’s remarkable journey from their roots in North Wales and Liverpool to the global stage”.

The Vivienne attends the “Dancing On Ice” Series 15 Photocall on January 11, 2023 in London, England. (Mike Marsland/WireImage)

The film will blend interviews, family photos, home video, archive and unseen behind-the-scenes Drag Race footage, charting her life from a “cheeky” toddler to the entertainment icon beloved by many.

It will feature interviews with The Vivienne’s parents and sister as well as fellow drag race legends including Baga Chipz, Michael Marouli, Danny Beard, Tia Kofi, Cheryl Hole, Raja, Monet X Change, and Trinity Tuck, with those who knew and loved her describing her as “a world class entertainer”, “an inspiration, mentor and a teacher”, and the epitome of British drag.

Dear Viv will also touch on The Vivienne’s self-confessed struggle with ketamine addiction – which was responsible for the star’s untimely death.

Producers Fenton Bailey & Randy Barbato, co-founders of World of Wonder, said: “We wanted to celebrate The Vivienne and not just mourn her.

“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.

“Although producing it was bittersweet, we are so grateful to friends and family for trusting us to tell The Vivienne’s story. Above all, we hope Viv loves the film as much as we loved her.”