AJ and the Queen

Last updated
AJ and the Queen
AJ and the Queen (poster).jpg
Promotional poster for the series.
Genre Comedy drama [1]
Created by
Starring
Composer Lior Rosner
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes10
Production
Executive producers
Running time47–59 minutes
Production companies
Original release
Network Netflix
ReleaseJanuary 10, 2020 (2020-01-10)

AJ and the Queen is an American comedy-drama television series, created by RuPaul and Michael Patrick King. It premiered on Netflix on January 10, 2020.

Contents

Premise

Big Mama. Little Drama.

AJ and the Queen follows "Ruby Red, a bigger-than-life but down-on-her-luck drag queen who travels across America from club to club in a rundown 1986 R/V with her unlikely sidekick AJ, a recently orphaned, tough-talking, scrappy ten-year-old stowaway. As the two misfits travel from city to city, Ruby's message of love and acceptance winds up touching people and changing their lives for the better." [2]

Cast and characters

Main

Recurring

Guest

Additionally, former RuPaul's Drag Race contestants Mayhem Miller, Valentina, Eureka O'Hara, Bianca Del Rio, Alexis Mateo, Manila Luzon, Vanessa Vanjie Mateo, Jaymes Mansfield, Ongina, Kennedy Davenport, Mariah Balenciaga, Dahlia Sin, Jade Jolie, Monica Beverly Hillz, Morgan McMichaels and Pandora Boxx make cameos, appearing as unnamed queens. [4]

Production

In May 2018, it was announced that Netflix had given the production a series order for a first season consisting of ten episodes, with RuPaul starring. [2] The series is created, written, and executive produced by RuPaul and Michael Patrick King. MPK Productions and Warner Bros. Television are involved in producing the series. [2] [5] [6] [7] In July 2018, a casting breakdown released to talent agencies was published online. It revealed the names of four new characters, Louis, Hector/Damian Sanchez, Lady Danger, and Brianna, and included character descriptions as well. [8]

In September 2018, it was announced that Josh Segarra, Michael-Leon Wooley, Katerina Tannenbaum, and Tia Carrere had been cast in starring roles. [9] On October 16, 2018, it was reported that Izzy G. had been cast in the lead role of the titular AJ. [10] In January 2019, it was announced that Matthew Wilkas had joined the cast in a recurring capacity. [11]

On March 6, 2020, Netflix announced that the series had been cancelled after one season. [12] [13]

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date  [14]
1"New York City" Michael Patrick King RuPaul Charles & Michael Patrick King January 10, 2020 (2020-01-10)
Ruby is set to retire from touring as a drag queen, by using her $100,000 life savings as initial payment on a downtown New York City drag nightclub. Her credit card is rejected because Damien, her love interest/business partner has apparently scammed her, forcing her to go back on the road. Sneaking aboard Ruby's mini-RV is a neighbor's child, AJ, who has been all but abandoned by her drug-taking prostitute mother; they were evicted so AJ needed a place to sleep.
2"Pittsburgh" Michael Patrick King RuPaul Charles & Michael Patrick King January 10, 2020 (2020-01-10)
Ruby and AJ head to Pittsburgh for a show. Ruby finds out AJ is actually a girl, and that AJ is short for Amber Jasmine. AJ's phone gets left behind at a diner on the interstate, but Ruby is on good terms with the waitress, and arranges to pick it up on the way back. Later, Ruby goes through AJ's backpack looking for his own phone and discovers a Jasmine doll. AJ said she doesn't want to be a girl, because nobody bothers boys. Ruby's former boyfriend Damien and his partner in crime find out that Ruby reported the theft, and they follow Ruby and AJ to Pittsburgh. Ruby and AJ take off to Ruby's next gig.
3"Columbus" Bobcat Goldthwait Jhoni Marchinko January 10, 2020 (2020-01-10)
Ruby and AJ have a minor accident on their way out of the parking lot as they head out to Columbus. A cop pulls them over for a broken tail light and they discover they're still being followed, so they detour on a back road and stop along the way to get the tail light fixed. AJ's mother got arrested and leaves a message on AJ's phone. AJ later calls her back and leaves a message but by that time her mother has lost her phone. Ruby enters a wet T-shirt contest and wins enough money to pay for the RV repairs. At the show in Columbus, Ruby sees Damien in the audience, so her and AJ flee in the RV.
4"Louisville" Adam Davidson RuPaul Charles & Michael Patrick King January 10, 2020 (2020-01-10)
AJ's mother wants to call her but has no money to buy a new phone. She finally gets a phone, but AJ doesn't pick up when she calls her. The drag queens at the Louisville club are not happy to see Ruby. Later, Damien phones Ruby with a fake attempt to make it up to her. AJ wants Ruby to put out the word to other queens not to get taken in by Damien, but she refuses, so AJ posts about it on social media. It turns out Damien grifted Ruby's friend Brian and other queens.
5"Mt. Juliet" Michael Patrick King Eric Reyes LooJanuary 10, 2020 (2020-01-10)
Heading towards Nashville, Tennessee Ruby and AJ discuss LGBTQ icons, which leads to finding out legendary dress designer Bob Mackie, known for campy outfits, has a namesake museum in Mt. Juliet—only six hours out of their way.
6"Little Rock" Adam Shankman Stephen SorokaJanuary 10, 2020 (2020-01-10)
AJ And Ruby pull into a Little Rock, Arkansas parking campsite for RVers for a few days' stay, one of the nearby neighbors has a near-identical RV which Ruby mistakenly enters after using the shower. The next day AJ gets busy digging for diamonds in a "diamond" field, while Ruby is befriended by three campsite regulars who want help putting on an informal show of Grease songs. Meanwhile, Damien and Lady Danger tracked down Ruby and try to kill her by planting a rattlesnake in the RV, which she escapes. On show day, Ruby plans to surprise the campsite regulars with AJ (as Grease's Sandy), and her counterpart Brick, a neighbor boy, dressed as Danny, to jump into the "Born to Hand Jive"/"You're the One That I Want" performance. But Brick had the idea to switch roles with AJ, upsetting his dad at the cross-dressing.
7"Jackson" Anne Fletcher Drew Droege January 10, 2020 (2020-01-10)
Ruby and AJ make their way to Mississippi for an action packed reunion. Back in New York, Louis opens the door to an unexpected visitor.
8"Baton Rouge" Michael Spiller Tracy Poust & Jon Kinnally January 10, 2020 (2020-01-10)
A Medical emergency triggers a string of painful memories for AJ and Ruby. Lady Danger and Damien cross paths with a fellow traveler.
9"Fort Worth" Dennie Gordon Michael Patrick King & Jhoni Marchinko January 10, 2020 (2020-01-10)
As the RV rolls into Texas, the tour hits an unforeseen snag. Ruby visits an old friend and AJ eagerly awaits life with Pop Pop.
10"Dallas" Michael Patrick King RuPaul Charles & Michael Patrick King January 10, 2020 (2020-01-10)
The end of tour arrives as Ruby competes in Miss Drag USA, AJ prepares for Pop Pop's farm, and Brianna attempts one last desperate leap of faith.

Soundtrack

AJ and the Queen (Original Television Soundtrack)
Soundtrack album by
Lior Rosner and RuPaul
ReleasedJanuary 24, 2020
Length32:44
Label WaterTower

On January 24, 2020 a 16 track soundtrack album titled AJ and the Queen (Official Television Soundtrack) was released by Warner Bros. Entertainment. It was created by Lior Rosner and RuPaul. [15]

AJ and the Queen (Official Television Soundtrack)
No.TitleArtistLength
1."Ruby Is Red Hot (From AJ and the Queen)"RuPaul2:43
2."Walk It Off (I'm on My Way)"RuPaul3:11
3."Ruby Is Red Hot (Retro Remix)"RuPaul2:30
4."Ruby Is Red Hot (Kummerspeck Remix)"RuPaul2:29
5."Ruby Is Red Hot (Lush Remix)"RuPaul2:16
6."In the Beginning"Lior Rosner1:13
7."AJ's Theme"Lior Rosner3:15
8."Lady Danger"Lior Rosner3:08
9."Mount Juliet"Lior Rosner1:04
10."AJ Bribes the Drag Fans"Lior Rosner0:49
11."Danielle Plans Some Trouble"Lior Rosner1:11
12."Lady Danger Breaking and Entering"Lior Rosner0:51
13."Queens to the Rescue"Lior Rosner0:48
14."Damian Visits Robert"Lior Rosner1:59
15."AJ Drop Off and Goodbye"Lior Rosner2:14
16."The End"Lior Rosner3:03
Total length:32:44

Reception

On Rotten Tomatoes, the series holds an approval rating of 52% based on 21 reviews, with an average rating of 5.39/10. The site's critical consensus reads: "Though it doesn't always come together, AJ and the Queen is a sweet, sometimes off-the wall adventure that's fun to watch even when it's fumbling." [16] On Metacritic, the series has a weighted average score of 46 out of 100, based on 8 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews". [17]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Josh Segarra</span> American actor (born 1986)

Josh Segarra is an American actor. He is known for his roles on the television series The Electric Company, Sirens, and Arrow as well as for originating the role of Emilio Estefan in the musical On Your Feet!. His other television credits include Chicago P.D., The Other Two, AJ and the Queen, Orange Is the New Black, and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, while his other theatrical credits include the musicals Lysistrata Jones and Dogfight, and the slasher horror film Scream VI.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Julia Garner</span> American actress (born 1994)

Julia Garner is an American actress. She is best known for her starring role as Ruth Langmore in the Netflix crime drama series Ozark (2017–2022), for which she received critical acclaim and won three Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series and a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lana Condor</span> American actress (born 1997)

Lana Therese Condor is a Vietnamese-born American actress and YouTuber. She made her acting debut starring as Jubilee in the superhero film X-Men: Apocalypse (2016), and gained international recognition for portraying Lara Jean Covey in the romantic comedy To All the Boys film series (2018–2021). She has also portrayed Saya Kuroki in the television series Deadly Class (2019) and Koyomi in the film Alita: Battle Angel (2019). More recently, Condor voiced the titular character in the animated teen comedy film Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken (2023).

You Me Her is an American–Canadian comedy-drama television series that revolves around a suburban married couple who are entering a three-way romantic relationship, one type of polyfidelity relationship. The series is set in Portland, Oregon and was created by John Scott Shepherd. The series is also promoted as TV's "first polyromantic comedy". On June 9, 2016, Audience Network renewed the series for a second and third season. On July 27, 2018, the series was renewed for a fourth and fifth season. The fourth season premiered on April 9, 2019.

GLOW is an American comedy-drama television series created by Liz Flahive and Carly Mensch for Netflix. The series revolves around a fictionalization of the characters and gimmicks of the 1980s syndicated women's professional wrestling circuit Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling founded by David McLane.

<i>Friends from College</i> 2017 American comedy television series

Friends from College is an American comedy television series created by Francesca Delbanco and Nicholas Stoller. The series was greenlit for Netflix as an original on March 11, 2016. The first season consists of eight half-hour episodes, and premiered on Netflix on July 14, 2017. On August 21, 2017, Netflix renewed the series for a second season of eight episodes, which was released on January 11, 2019. The series was canceled on February 18, 2019.

<i>Dear White People</i> (TV series) 2017 American satirical comedy drama television series

Dear White People is an American comedy-drama television series on Netflix that follows several black college students at an Ivy League institution, touching on issues surrounding modern American race relations from a politically progressive perspective. It is based on and a continuation of the 2014 film of the same name. The film's writer and director, Justin Simien, returned to write and direct episodes of the series. This series stars Logan Browning, Brandon P. Bell, DeRon Horton, and Antoinette Robertson. With a few exceptions, generally season finales, each episode focuses on one particular character. The series premiered on April 28, 2017. On October 2, 2019, the series was renewed for its fourth and final season, which was released on September 22, 2021.

<i>Seven Seconds</i> (TV series) 2018 American crime drama television series on Netflix

Seven Seconds is an American crime drama television series, based on the Russian film The Major written and directed by Yuri Bykov, that premiered on February 23, 2018, on Netflix. The series, which is created, executive produced, and showrun by Veena Sud, follows the people involved in investigating the death of a Black teenager and his family as they reel after the loss. On April 18, 2018, Netflix confirmed there would not be a second season, deeming it a limited series.

Girlboss is an American comedy television series created by Kay Cannon. The series was released on Netflix on April 21, 2017. The show was cancelled after one season.

<i>On My Block</i> American television series

On My Block is an American teen comedy-drama television series, created by Lauren Iungerich, Eddie Gonzalez, and Jeremy Haft. Set in the fictional Los Angeles neighborhood Freeridge, it revolves four teenagers who find their friendship tested upon entering high school. It stars Sierra Capri, Jason Genao, Brett Gray, Diego Tinoco, Jessica Marie Garcia, Julio Macias, and Peggy Blow.

<i>Dead to Me</i> (TV series) American dark comedy television series

Dead to Me is an American black comedy-drama television series that stars Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini as two grieving women who bond during therapy. It was created by Liz Feldman and executive produced by Feldman, Will Ferrell, Adam McKay, and Jessica Elbaum. The series premiered on May 3, 2019, on Netflix and received positive reviews. In June 2019, Netflix renewed the series for a second season which was released on May 8, 2020. At the 71st Primetime Emmy Awards, Applegate received a nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.

<i>L.A.s Finest</i> American police procedural drama television series

L.A.'s Finest is an American action crime drama television series created by Brandon Margolis and Brandon Sonnier; and produced by Sony Pictures Television. It is a spin-off of the Bad Boys franchise created by George Gallo, starring Gabrielle Union reprising her role from 2003's Bad Boys II, opposite Jessica Alba and an ensemble cast.

<i>Soundtrack</i> (TV series) 2019 American musical drama streaming television series

Soundtrack is an American musical drama television series created by Joshua Safran, that premiered on Netflix on December 18, 2019. The series is executive produced by Safran alongside Megan Ellison and Ali Krug and stars Paul James, Callie Hernandez, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Jenna Dewan, Jahmil French, Megan Ferguson, Isaiah Givens, Madeleine Stowe, and Campbell Scott. In January 2020, the series was canceled after one season.

<i>Living with Yourself</i> American comedy television series

Living with Yourself is an American science fiction comedy-drama television series created by Timothy Greenberg that premiered on October 18, 2019, on Netflix. The series stars Paul Rudd and Aisling Bea. Rudd also serves as an executive producer, alongside Greenberg, Anthony Bregman, Jeff Stern, Tony Hernandez, Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris, and Jeffrey Blitz.

<i>Dollface</i> American comedy television series (2019–2022)

Dollface is an American comedy television series created by Jordan Weiss that premiered on November 15, 2019, on Hulu. It stars Kat Dennings, Brenda Song, Shay Mitchell, and Esther Povitsky. In January 2020, Hulu renewed the series for a second season, which was released on February 11, 2022. The series was canceled in May 2022.

<i>Special</i> (TV series) American comedy streaming television series

Special is an American comedy-drama television series created by Ryan O'Connell for Netflix. Starring Ryan O'Connell, the series is a semi-autobiographical account of his life as a gay man in Los Angeles with cerebral palsy pursuing new friendships, relationships, and self-sufficiency.

Firefly Lane is an American drama television series created by Maggie Friedman for Netflix. The series is based on the novel of the same name by Kristin Hannah. The series premiered on February 3, 2021, and navigates the lives of two teenage girls in the 1970s, all the way through to their adulthood in the mid 2000s. In May 2021, the series was renewed for a second season. In October 2022, it was announced that the second season would be its final season and would consist of 16 episodes, split into two parts. The first part of the second season was released on December 2, 2022, and the second part was released on April 27, 2023.

<i>The Lincoln Lawyer</i> (TV series) Television series from Netflix

The Lincoln Lawyer is an American legal drama television series created for television by David E. Kelley and developed by Ted Humphrey, based on the books of Michael Connelly. It stars Manuel Garcia-Rulfo as Mickey Haller, a defense attorney in Los Angeles who often works out of a chauffeur-driven Lincoln Navigator. Neve Campbell, Becki Newton, Jazz Raycole, Angus Sampson, and Christopher Gorham also star.

Isabella Gaspersz, known professionally as Izzy G, is an American actress known for her work on AJ and the Queen and B Positive.

<i>The Big Door Prize</i> 2023 American TV comedy series

The Big Door Prize is an American comedy television series based on the book of the same name by M. O. Walsh that premiered on Apple TV+ on March 29, 2023. In April 2023, it was renewed for a second season which premiered on April 24, 2024. In June 2024, the series was canceled after two seasons.

References

  1. ↑ "'AJ AND THE QUEEN' RELEASE DATE, CAST, TRAILER, PLOT: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT NETFLIX'S RUPAUL SERIES". Newsweek . 9 January 2020. Archived from the original on 2020-12-08. Retrieved 2020-01-19.
  2. 1 2 3 Andreeva, Nellie; Petski, Denise (May 11, 2018). "RuPaul Comedy Series 'AJ And The Queen' Set On Netflix From Michael Patrick King". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on November 21, 2019. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
  3. ↑ AJ and the Queen (TV Series 2020– ) - IMDb, archived from the original on 2020-01-17, retrieved 2020-01-16
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Nolfi, Joey (December 3, 2019). "RuPaul brings 22 Drag Race queens to costar on AJ and the Queen". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on May 16, 2021. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  5. ↑ Daw, Stephen (May 11, 2018). "RuPaul Lands Starring Role in New Netflix Original Series 'AJ and the Queen'". Billboard . Archived from the original on May 12, 2018. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
  6. ↑ Nolfi, Joey (May 11, 2018). "RuPaul to star in Netflix comedy 'AJ and the Queen'". Entertainment Weekly . Archived from the original on May 12, 2018. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
  7. ↑ Sandberg, Bryn Elise (May 11, 2018). "RuPaul Comedy Series From Michael Patrick King Set at Netflix". The Hollywood Reporter . Archived from the original on May 12, 2018. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
  8. ↑ McHenry, Jackson; Fernandez, Maria Elena (July 17, 2018). "Here's a Casting Breakdown for RuPaul's Netflix Show AJ and the Queen". Vulture. Archived from the original on July 17, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  9. ↑ Goldberg, Lesley (September 21, 2018). "Netflix Rounds Out Cast for RuPaul Comedy 'AJ and the Queen'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 19, 2019. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
  10. ↑ Petski, Denise (October 16, 2018). "'AJ And The Queen': Izzy G To Star As AJ In RuPaul's Netflix Comedy Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 17, 2018. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  11. ↑ Petski, Denise (January 18, 2019). "'AJ And The Queen' Casts Matthew Wilkas; Christopher Naoki Lee Joins 'The Terror'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 31, 2019. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  12. ↑ Swift, Andy (March 6, 2020). "AJ and the Queen Cancelled at Netflix". money.yahoo.com. Archived from the original on March 22, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
  13. ↑ RuPaul (March 7, 2020). "End of the road for "AJ and The Queen" @Netflix has decided to not extend our road trip across America. Thank you for all the love & support. We're so very proud of the work. @mizzizzyg @mlwooley @tiacarrere @joshsegarra @katerinavictoria @mwilkas #AJandTheQueen…". Archived from the original on 2020-03-07.
  14. ↑ "AJ and the Queen – Listings". The Futon Critic . Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  15. ↑ "AJ and the Queen (Original Television Soundtrack) by Lior Rosner & RuPaul". Apple Music. Archived from the original on 2020-08-31. Retrieved 2020-11-09.
  16. ↑ "AJ and the Queen: Season 1 (2020)". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media . Retrieved May 3, 2020.
  17. ↑ "AJ and the Queen - TV Show Reviews". Metacritic . CBS Interactive . Retrieved May 3, 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.