Sky HISTORY Unveils New Short Film By Elizabeth The Thirsty

Sky HISTORY has announced Dragging Up The Past: Elizabeth I – The Rainbow Portrait, a brand-new short film created by Jack Dradey, known by their drag persona Elizabeth the Thirsty.

Dradey was selected 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 fresh on-screen talent and highlight original voices with a passion for making history engaging and accessible. Open to aspiring presenters from all backgrounds, the initiative sought individuals who could reimagine the past through a modern, inclusive, and innovative lens.

Following a competitive round of entries and auditions, Elizabeth the Thirsty was crowned the winner, praised for their unique combination 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.