“Settle Down” Delivers the light queer comedy we need right now

While some are talking of annexing Canada and others are considering escaping there from the current U.S. regime’s expected oppression, producers for OutTV in Canada are delivering the light queer comedy we need right now, and it’s coming out just in time for Valentine’s Day.

With nary a straight character involved, Settle Down tells the story of Mason, a podcasting matchmaker whose own relationship takes a backseat to those he initiates and nurtures for others. In fact, Settle Down is all about relationships, the many and varied forms they can take, and the many and varied challenges and obstacles they present, both real and imagined.

Misunderstandings and Miscommunication

That’s right, imagined, because like many a good situation comedy that came before it, Settle Down relies on misunderstandings for some of those challenges. At the same time, it also offers poignant relationship advice, just like Mason does as a matchmaker. Each episode explores the challenges of queer love through new client stories, tackling themes of anxiety, commitment issues, and unconventional relationships.

Also in each episode, we meet a new client for whom Mason must find a match while he’s simultaneously balancing his own messy private life. These clients and their stories reflect various topics about queer dating, love, and sex. For example, we see one of his matchmaking clients learn that communicating your own needs is necessary to address your significant other’s and your relationship’s needs as well. 

“The demise of many relationships is often a result of poor communication, and I think Settle Down tackles that perfectly,” pinpoints actor Liam Melady, who plays Malcolm, a character integral to the first episode’s misunderstandings and miscommunications.

Go Ask Alexander: Is This Autobiographical?

Mason advises listeners about sex, dating, and relationships on his wildly popular podcast, Well Versed. However, we hope that Mason learns his own lesson and stops letting his job interfere with his relationship.  

Even Alexander Nunez, the creator and writer of Settle Down, who plays the lead character, describes Mason as “the most hypocritical love expert on the planet” who “is miraculously good at his job.” Does Nunez see himself in Mason? “Mason’s romantic mistakes remind me a lot of who I was in the early days of my relationship (now marriage),” said Nunez. “I hated being wrong! I still do, but I’m better at acknowledging my screw-ups nowadays. I’m definitely way less uptight than he is and a lot more careful with how I speak to people. Mason says some real cutting stuff that I never could in real life!” Connect with Canadian Screen Award nominee Nunez on Instagram and TikTok @alexjonunez.

When’s the Premiere? Where Can You Get It? And Why . . . ?

Produced by Charlie David and a dynamic team of filmmakers at Border2Border Entertainment, the new six-episode series will make its premiere on OUTtv and the OUTtv channels on Prime Video and AppleTV+ on Feb. 14.

Can Mason stop getting in his own way and stop blaming his relationship? Can he balance work and life before he taints his budding love empire past the point of no return? Preview the trailer here, and watch the series following its Valentine’s Day premiere, to find out why actor Scott Farley, who plays threesome participant Lucian, says, “It’s a gay Sex and the City,” and why actor Joshu Obra, who plays celebrity matchmaking client Wade, says, “Settle Down is a melting pot of 30% comedy, 30% drama, 30% insight, 10% plot twist, and 100% gay.”

Read more in the interview with actor Leighton Alexander Williams about the series: outinjersey.net/leighton_alexander_williams/