Parents' Guide to

AJ and the Queen

By Joyce Slaton, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Language and mature humor in charming drag comedy.

TV Netflix Drama 2020
AJ and the Queen Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

See all

There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.

What's the Story?

Written and created by RuPaul and Sex and the City's Michael Patrick King, AJ AND THE QUEEN focuses on an unlikely friendship that blossoms between drag queen Ruby Red (RuPaul) and 10-year-old AJ (Izzy G.) who's just been evicted from the apartment where drug-addicted mom Brianna (Katerina Tannenbaum) hasn't been home in a month. Meanwhile, Ruby (a.k.a. Robert) is having problems too, as a mountain of saved-up cash and a dream of owning a drag club evaporated along with duplicitous ex Damien (Josh Segarra). Now Ruby has to head out on a tour of drag clubs to make enough money just to make ends meet, while AJ tags along to get a ride to family in Texas.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (2 ):

As sweet/tart, charmingly acerbic, and frequently bonkers as its star, this throwback to 1980s unlikely-buddy comedies is predictable, preachy, and surprisingly delightful. RuPaul isn't above lecturing the audience, and a few of AJ and the Queen's plotlines are absolutely ludicrous (c'mon, Ru's being stalked by baddies that include an eyepatch-wearing villainess called Lady Danger?), but the chemistry between Ru's Ruby and the foul-mouthed 10-year-old stowaway AJ is so perfect that even cynical viewers may find their emotions stirring. Izzy G. can really act -- the moments when her tough-kid armor falls away and she cries about her tough life like the grade schooler she is are positively heartrending -- and watching a supportive relationship grow between her and Ruby is affecting.

Of course, there's at least one full-length flawless lip-synch moment in each episode, and one should definitely question Ruby's judgment for blithely ferrying a child across state lines, but a comedy that plays out in tawdry dressing rooms and gay bars and different towns connected by long highways navigated in an RV festooned with wigs is fun. Ridiculous fun with heart, Michael Patrick King, we may forgive you for Sex and the City 2 after all.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about stereotypes. Do the contestants in this show reinforce or undermine stereotypes typically associated with the LGBTQ community? How are other communities stereotyped, both in the media and out of it?

  • RuPaul, the star of AJ and the Queen, is also one of the creators and co-writes episodes. Does this surprise you? Do creators who appear in their creations usually write themselves starring roles?

  • What other movies or shows have you seen about the LGBTQ community? How does this one compare? Which is your favorite?

  • Why are parents often absent in stories about teens and young children? What types of storytelling would the presence of parents inhibit? What types of dilemmas do children and teens find themselves in when they must act as their own authority?

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

See all recommended tv lists

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate