LIL NAS X collaborator Will McDowell brings media satire comedy ‘JUDAS EXCLUSIVE’ to Fringe

Will McDowell is set to bring his bold new satirical comedy JUDAS EXCLUSIVE to Edinburgh 2026.

McDowell was inspired to write JUDAS EXCLUSIVE after the cultural and political fallout of Andrew Mountbatton Windsor’s 2019 Newsnight interview.

British writer, producer, and director Will McDowell got his creative breakthrough in LA producing and directing music videos and album covers for artists including Lil Nas X, Sabrina Carpenter, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and Panic! At the Disco.

Salamander Street, the independent publisher of Jade Franks’ 2025 Edinburgh Fringe hit EAT THE RICH (but maybe not me mates x) which is now in development at Netflix and touring the UK, has been announced as the publisher for the satirical comedy.

JUDAS EXCLUSIVE takes place in 33AD on the set of Simona Tonight, a once-popular late-night talk show. Desperate for a ratings miracle, host Simona invites Judas Iscariot on for an exclusive interview mere days after the death of Jesus Christ to give his side of the story.

Teesside actor Beth Mullen stars as late-night host Simona. Mullen is best-known for roles in Ricky Gervais’ Netflix hit AFTER LIFE and Paramount+ spy thriller THE AGENCY. Also a writer, Mullen is currently developing several original sitcom ideas with Hat Trick and is part of the 2025-2026 Oxford Playhouse Playmakers Court.

(Left) Lil Nas X shoot produced by Will McDowell, photo – Charlotte Rutherford, (Right) Will tests Lil Nas X’s harness on set

Nicholas Alexander will star opposite Millen as Judas, and Will McDowell plays Peter the Disciple.

JUDAS EXCLUSIVE is McDowell’s Edinburgh Fringe debut.

JUDAS EXCLUSIVE’s Edinburgh run will be directed by Charlotte Rooney-Baker whose recent credits include sold out London runs of Either by Ruby Thomas and Hungry Animals by Gaia Mondadori.

JUDAS EXCLUSIVE is produced by MOOJ Productions.

Lucy George, director of publisher Salamander Street said: “JUDAS EXCLUSIVE’s surreal premise is the perfect satire of our media and celebrity culture. When I read Will’s wickedly funny script it instantly leapt off the page with all the makings of a Fringe hit.”

On being signed by Salamander Street, McDowell says: “When the news came from Salamander Street that they wanted to publish JUDAS EXCLUSIVE it felt like a real indicator that I was on the right track for Fringe. Being published before Fringe is a huge blessing for us as it cements the show as a piece of theatre that has transfer potential, that can be enjoyed as a piece of literature on its own or staged by other theatre companies. Publishing gives plays like this a bigger life.”

For McDowell, who spent years in LA producing and directing work for artists at the top of the music industry, returning home to the UK arts scene has made him determined to make new work against what he sees as a much more challenging backdrop: “We have the worst of both worlds in the UK. We lack the public funds of our European counterparts, but we don’t have private financing for the arts like in the US. It’s a miracle any of us can still make it up to Fringe.”

McDowell’s comments come after news that funding offered through the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society’s Keep It Fringe scheme will be slashed by 93% for 2026, with the total money available cut from £450,000 to £30,000.

JUDAS EXCLUSIVE is previewing at King’s Head Theatre, London on 1 July. Tickets available now from the King’s Head Theatre.