RuPaul's Drag Race fame Shea Couleé drops hints about her animated character in Ironheart

Shea Couleé is officially stepping into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) through the upcoming Disney+ series Ironheart. Known for her appearances on RuPaul's Drag Race, the entertainer will play a character named Slug.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly published on June 16, 2025, Shea Couleé shared early insights into this new role, calling Slug “a really fierce hacker” with a mysterious past and connections to drag culture.

Slug is described as a code name, with the character’s full backstory yet to be revealed. According to Shea, Slug does not engage in the main action sequences but works behind the scenes. The role marks Shea’s scripted acting debut and introduces a non-binary character who uses they/them pronouns, adding to the MCU’s evolving range of representation.

Shea Couleé stated,

“You will be seeing the diva in some looks,” while also noting that Slug has left their drag life behind.

Through flashbacks, viewers will learn more about Slug’s previous identity. This detail, combined with Shea’s comments about the show’s setting and themes, suggests that the character brings a unique style and presence to Ironheart. The series premieres on June 24, 2025.

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Slug is a hacker on the run and a behind-the-scenes force in Ironheart

Shea Couleé confirmed that Ironheart's Slug is not the typical action-heavy MCU character.

Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, she said,

“I’m more of the... I’ll drive the getaway car, hang out in the van on my cute little laptop with my fierce nails and help you hack these mainframes.”

This statement clarifies that Slug is more tech-savvy than combat-focused.

According to Shea, Slug works with “a group of urban Robin Hoods” to redistribute resources.

“I help a group of urban Robin Hoods to take away from the privileged and help give back to the community,” she said.

This role places Slug in the middle of missions designed to disrupt power structures in a version of Chicago shaped by the show’s narrative.

The Ironheart character’s hacker background and use of a code name suggest that Slug is trying to stay hidden. Shea shared,

“They need an alternative code name to go by because there could or could not be some people looking for them.”

This indicates that danger is part of the backstory, even if Slug stays out of direct conflict.

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Slug’s drag identity is explored through flashbacks

Although Slug has moved away from being a drag queen, the character’s past is not erased.

“They’ve kind of left drag. They are a drag queen, but it’s kind of a past life,” Shea explained. “You see them in drag, but it’s kind of in the context of flashbacks before where they are now, because they’re trying to be on the low-low.”

These flashbacks will show the earlier version of Slug, hinting at the life they left behind. However, those moments appear tied to past events rather than Slug’s present identity.

Shea also mentioned that Slug's name is a “code name,” and their real identity remains secret. Ironheart seems to use this tension between past and present to deepen the character’s mystery. According to Shea, this allows the story to slowly reveal details, maintaining suspense throughout the series.

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Shea Couleé speaks about representation and creative freedom in the MCU

In the same interview, Shea talked about the experience of joining the MCU and playing a non-binary character.

“Finding ways to exist in a way that felt truly, authentically me — and also to the character — was really cool,” she said.

This suggests that the creative team encouraged her to bring authenticity to the role.

Shea added that the cast and crew were “open and compassionate” during the production, and "felt so much love and respect on set."

The support behind the scenes helped her step confidently into a universe that has historically focused on traditional superheroes.

Slug is among the few openly queer characters in the MCU. The use of they/them pronouns was also confirmed in the interview. Shea’s inclusion in Ironheart is part of a broader move toward more inclusive storytelling.

“We’ll see!” she said when asked if she might return in future MCU projects, leaving the door open for more appearances.

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The first three episodes of Ironheart premiere on Disney+ on June 24, 2025.