The holiday season is synonymous with heartwarming stories, festive traditions, and the comfort of familiar tropes. However, the true magic of the genre often lies in the fresh energy brought by new talent who can take a standard script and infuse it with genuine charisma and relatable emotion. As audiences flock to streaming platforms for their seasonal fix, the demand for authentic performances that resonate beyond the tinsel is higher than ever.
Enter Martel TZ Shaw, the breakout talent turning heads in the new BET+ original movie, Never Alone for Christmas: Memphis. Shaw steps into the role of Floyd, joining a star-studded cast that includes Juhahn Jones, Melissa L. Williams and K. Michelle. In this exclusive interview, we sit down with Shaw to discuss his journey to this pivotal role, his experience on set in the musical city of Memphis, and what it means to be part of a film that celebrates connection and second chances during the holidays.
Q: To start, could you introduce us to your character, Floyd, and tell us how he fits into the world of Never Alone for Christmas: Memphis?
Martel TZ Shaw: In Never Alone For Christmas: Memphis, our lead Joe and Floyd are co-workers. They work together at a small insurance company. The story begins with Joe, this uncool nerdy guy, who sets out on a mission to hire a dating coach to help find him a date for his annual holiday Christmas party to impress his co-workers. You meet Floyd, who is also a nerdy guy, at the pinnacle of the film. Floyd can maintain normal unawkward companionship with women, unlike Joe. Floyd teased Joe in the past about being alone for Christmas especially at the company party.
Floyd fits into this world and is relatable because most of us, if not all, have worked in a workplace/office where we befriend and playfully tease co-workers while we build community.
Q: You are working alongside a talented cast, including Melissa L. Williams and K. Michelle. What was the dynamic like on set, and did you learn anything specific from watching them work?
Martel TZ Shaw: Although I didn’t have any scenes with K. Michelle, I heard nothing but great things about her and that she is truly a sweetheart. Melissa brought a strong sense of professionalism along with a warm, welcoming, and collaborative spirit. Her positive energy, combined with Juhahn’s, encouraged everyone on set to let go and have fun and we genuinely did.
Everyone showed up ready to play, and my biggest takeaway from working alongside our leads was a simple but powerful lesson: “stay ready so you don’t have to get ready.”
Q: This film has been described as a breakout moment for your career. What drew you to this specific script, and did you feel a personal connection to the story or your character?
Martel TZ Shaw: I read this script with my wife, as we often read scripts together. I am a total rom-com guy, I can watch romantic comedies all day. I love the idea of love and the experience of being in it, and this script had all the elements for me, especially the twist. I also felt a strong personal connection to the way each character gravitates towards one another.
My character, however, wasn’t fully clear to me at first until I had more in-depth conversations with the director about who Floyd was. When I initially heard the word “nerdy,” my mind immediately went to Jaleel White’s portrayal of Steve Urkel on Family Matters. I knew right away that I wanted to stay as far away from that interpretation as possible as the world has already seen that character.
I began researching and developing Floyd’s nuances and mannerisms, thinking through what a day in his life would look like. I fully immersed myself in that mindset 48 hours before Floyd ever stepped in front of the camera. It was important for me to ground myself in that space, as Floyd is the opposite of who I am in real life.
Playing Floyd pushed me outside of my comfort zone, and I believe that challenge is ultimately why audiences connected with me and enjoyed the performance.
Q: Filming a holiday movie often comes with its own unique atmosphere. Do you have a favorite behind-the-scenes memory or a particular moment during production that stands out to you?
Martel TZ Shaw: I have more than a few favorite moments behind the scenes. My scene partners were hysterically funny. I mean, we laughed the entire time. The moment “cut” was called, laughter would start all over again. Laughter is medicine so it’s always welcomed in my book.
Another highlight was the location itself. The world that was created for the holiday party was perfectly designed for the characters and truly enhanced the story. There’s a character who slept at the holiday party in the scene, but the guy stayed in character the entire time and he made us all laugh every time we looked in his direction.
Finally, another favorite moment of mine was the Soultrain line. We all got to dance our way down the Soultrain line and everyone’s moves were on full display doing the robot and all. Those moments were genuinely special, and I truly appreciated being part of them.
Q: As a rising actor in the industry, how does a role like Floyd challenge you compared to your previous work, and how do you prepare to bring authenticity to a supporting character?
Martel TZ Shaw: Floyd’s character challenged me to fully commit; there was no halfway approach. While playing a “nerdy” character may sound simple, the reality is that no two nerds are the same. Their desires, priorities, self-perception, and thought processes all differ. Because of that, relying on familiar approaches used for playing “cool” characters or traditional love interests can feel superficial.
As actors, our responsibility is not to act like the character, but to become the character. When I research a role, I intentionally find ways to bring myself into the work. My skin color, background, faith, and life experiences. These elements bring out important questions and ultimately invite authenticity into the performance.
Q: Finally, what do you hope audiences take away from watching Never Alone for Christmas: Memphis this holiday season?
Martel TZ Shaw: I want audiences to walk away with a sense of love, community, and laughter. At the end of the day, we are all driven by love. The more we laugh, the more we love, the stronger our community becomes.
Martel TZ Shaw’s performance in Never Alone for Christmas: Memphis serves as a strong reminder that the holiday genre thrives not just on nostalgia, but on the discovery of new voices. His portrayal of Floyd adds a layer of warmth and relatability that helps ground the film’s romantic and comedic elements, marking him as a talent to watch in the coming years.
As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, identifying and supporting breakout stars like Shaw is essential for keeping storytelling fresh and engaging. His dedication to his craft and his ability to hold his own alongside established veterans suggests a bright future ahead. We look forward to seeing where his career takes him next.
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