reviewScreen Queen TV Reviews: Heated Rivalry, Sunny Nights, The Imposter, Guy Mont and Stranger Things Vol 2Clare RigdenSTMSun, 21 December 2025 2:00AMHeated RivalryStreaming now on HBO Max
I’m not exactly sure what it was about my search history that made my social media algorithm think a show about gay ice hockey players competing in a professional Canadian contest would be up my alley. But reader, it appears it knows me better than I know myself: I’m obsessed.
Created by Jacob Tierney and based on Canadian writer Rachel Reid’s romance novels, this six-part series is an “enemies-to-lovers” sports romance that follows two pro ice hockey players, Canadian Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Russian Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie), who embark on a years-long clandestine romance during each ice hockey season.
I’m absolutely inhaling episodes. But here’s the thing . . . I’m not actually sure if the show is all that good? Anyway, it matters not: I can’t look away. Mostly because the chemistry between the two central characters is electric.
I’m not the only one who thinks so — this show has been getting rave reviews from audiences and critics, who are infatuated with the on-screen fireworks emitted by these two hot new faces.
It has a 95 per cent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with queer and straight audiences alike lapping up the steaming scenes between Ilya and Shane, which feature in just about every episode.
It doesn’t have too much going on in terms of plot, but the performances of the two easy-on-the-eye stars more than make up for this, and with only three brain cells left till Christmas, this is doing the job nicely.
Don’t mind me: I’ll just be in the corner fanning myself coquettishly while I watch two young ice hockey stars battle it out both on and off the court.
Sunny NightsFriday, streaming on Stan
D’Arcy Carden and Will Forte are two of the funniest people in Hollywood, and they’re front and centre in this fantastic locally-produced comedy.
They play an American brother and sister who find themselves on the run and in over their heads after a business trip to Australia to sell fake tan goes spectacularly wrong.
The series is directed and executive produced by Trent O’Donnell, who has worked on The Good Place, Hacks and Colin From Accounts, which gives you an idea of what to expect. He’s clearly got pulling power — this boasts a fabulous supporting cast, including Patrick Brammall, Jessica De Gouw, Willie Mason and Rachel House.
This feels genuinely fresh and funny. A great one to binge in that weird week between Christmas and New Year — worth seeking out.
The ImposterSunday, 8pm, Ten
Ten are clearly trying to bury this one, running it over two nights, two eps a pop. I absolutely love Dannii Minogue, Kym Marsh and Jackie Woodburne, but this middling soap is not worthy of their considerable talents. Don’t get me started on Jackie’s terrible wig.
Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont Spelling Bee Christmas SpecialWednesday, 8.05pm, ABC
Can you spell festive special? Guy Montgomery is joined by audience faves Kitty Flanagan, Senator Briggs, Bronwyn Kuss and Joel Creasey, battling it out for the ultimate prize — Guy as a guest at their family Christmas dinner! Silly fun for Christmas eve.
Stranger ThingsFriday, streaming on Netflix
The next batch of episodes drop at 6am Perth time on Boxing Day — we can’t think of a better way to spend the day after Christmas than with the crew from Hawkins as they mobilise to take down Vecna. Three eps land this Friday, with the movie-length finale reaching us New Year’s Day. Cannot WAIT.
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