Hosting History Winner brings fresh lens to tuDors
Sky HISTORY today announced Dragging Up The Past: Elizabeth I – The Rainbow Portrait, a brand-new short film from Jack Dradey, better known by drag persona Elizabeth the Thirsty who was chosen as the winner of Sky HISTORY’s Hosting History competition, launched earlier this year in partnership with the TV Foundation.
The Hosting History competition was designed to discover new on-screen talent and uncover original voices with a passion for bringing history to life in modern and unexpected ways. Open to aspiring presenters from all backgrounds, the initiative aimed to find someone who could reimagine the past through a fresh, inclusive, and contemporary lens and help make history accessible to a new generation of viewers.
After an impressive round of entries and auditions, Elizabeth the Thirsty was crowned the winner for their unique blend of charisma, scholarship, and creativity.
In this special short, Elizabeth the Thirsty takes viewers on a dazzling journey through Tudor glamour and power, recreating Elizabeth I’s iconic Rainbow Portrait while exploring how the ageing queen used fashion as her fiercest political weapon. With a mix of camp wit, sharp historical insight, and a runway-worthy reveal, Dragging Up The Past proves that history can be as entertaining as it is enlightening.
“Elizabeth the Thirsty brings something truly original to Sky HISTORY – a mix of style, humour, and serious historical substance,” said Sam Pearson, Head of Short Form Commissioning at Hearst Networks UK. “We’re always looking for fresh ways to connect audiences with history, and this project perfectly captures how the past can be reinterpreted through bold new perspectives.”
“The Hosting History competition has been an exciting addition to the TV Foundation’s work to make the TV industry accessible to all. Elizabeth the Thirsty shows what’s possible when you open the door to new voices”, said Gemma Bradshaw, Impact Director, The TV Foundation.
Dragging Up The Past: Elizabeth I – The Rainbow Portrait will premiere on 7th December across Sky HISTORY’s YouTube channel and the pay TV service.
The project marks the latest step in Sky HISTORY’s commitment to platforming diverse voices and exploring new storytelling formats that bring history to life for modern audiences.
