August 15, 2023
Sexy, Fun 'Single, Out' Introduces Americans to Hot Aussie Dramedy
Kilian Melloy READ TIME: 2 MIN.
The charming Australian series "Single, Out," streaming now on Here TV, follows Adam (Will Hutchins), a gay teen in Melbourne, as he emerges – tentatively at first, then with gusto – from the closet. His first hookup? The curly-headed Josh (Adam Mountain), a hottie who also happens to be the best friend of Adam's straight brother Clayton (Steven Christou).
To avoid complications, the two keep their relationship a secret from Clayton, but Adam's big brother has secrets of his own to guard: Namely, he provides shirtless massage to men to earn extra money, hoping he and his girlfriend, Kat (Grace King) can get a place of their own.
The brothers have a difficult home life; their father (Giustino Della Vedova) has left and has a new family , and their single mother (Julie Anna-Evans) is trying not to stay single. But their sprawling network of friends – many of them queer – provide support (not to mention comic relief). Adam's hunky boss, Marco (Ryan Stewart) is more a platonic pal than an employer; Marco has never had a serious relationship, but he's willing to give it a go with Dazi (Jaive Arlee McEwan), a newfound friend with benefits... assuming his often-near-naked roommate, the ripped and supposedly straight Theo (Jack Brophy) doesn't make a play for him first.
Then there's Adam's other co-worker, the adorable but socially awkward Gabe (Jake Hyde), who has a straight roommate of his own – the scrumptious Tyler (Kieran O'Brien).
And that's just the start of it! You'd need a scorecard to keep track of who's who if writer-director Lee Galea weren't so clever about structuring the early episodes so that certain scenes play out over again from different perspectives, helping to solidify the various characters and their points of view.
Zippy, teasingly sexy, and fun, the six episodes of season 1 keeps things moving but finds time to address more serious subject matters such as body image issues, neurodiversity, and more.
"Single, Out" is streaming now on Here TV; releases on DVD Sept. 19.
Kilian Melloy serves as EDGE Media Network's Associate Arts Editor and Staff Contributor. His professional memberships include the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, the Boston Online Film Critics Association, The Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association, and the Boston Theater Critics Association's Elliot Norton Awards Committee.
