*Etienne Maurice returns to OWN’s annual holiday lineup in the charming new romantic comedy “Fake Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” premiering Saturday, November 29 at 9pm ET/PT. Starring alongside Kiki Layne, Maurice plays Dr. Daniel, a man unexpectedly reunited with his ex under the most unusual circumstances: she’s pretending to be in a relationship with one of his patients.
“My character is Dr. Daniel, who just so happens to bump into his ex-girlfriend of several years because he finds out that he is the doctor to her boyfriend, or at least he thinks it’s her boyfriend,” Maurice shared. “And throughout their journey, it starts with shock, but once shock settles in, it evolves into some self-reflection. You realize that both of them are searching for something, and really, it’s connection.”
Maya, portrayed by Layne, is looking for a sense of family during the holidays, and Maurice’s character becomes an unexpected part of her journey. “Dr. Daniel comes into her life, and they reflect on their previous relationship and where they go from there. It’s a story that’s filled with a lot of heart,” he explained.
Maurice reflected on building on-screen chemistry with Layne, noting the natural tension that comes from portraying exes reunited. “It was funny, because the first day we met, when we were doing our test shoots and our wardrobe fitting, we had to take those photos as if we were in a relationship. Like, literally it was, hi, OK, let’s go take these photos. And so it was a little awkward at first, but I think that was the whole point, right?”
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Drawing on his own life experiences, Maurice brought depth to his role as a caring doctor. “In the film, my patient, who’s Maya’s boyfriend, he’s suffering a traumatic brain injury. And 13 years ago, I actually overcame my own traumatic brain injury… Daniel needs to be the doctor I wish I had when I was suffering my traumatic brain injury.”
For audiences, Maurice believes the film offers a moment of joy and connection during challenging times. “We are all experiencing some type of trauma as it relates to society and the world that we’re living in right now. We deserve to take a little break, and enjoy what is being created by these phenomenal directors, producers… Fake Yourself a Merry Little Christmas gives you a lot of hope.”
Maurice also shared his excitement about representing diverse Black experiences in holiday cinema. “OWN gave me my first opportunity to be a leading man last year with Mistletoe & Matrimony… And now they brought me back in Fake Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. I think it just goes to show you that Black folks are not just one thing. We can be the creative. We can be the doctor. We can be the engineer. There are nuances of the Black experiences that have yet to be explored and taken to the next level. OWN is doing a phenomenal job of being able to explore new life, new experiences with these holiday films. I’m glad to be a part of the franchise.”
Fans of holiday films can also expect some fun surprises. “A big surprise is my shirt off… That was my first shirtless scene. I was a little nervous. I had to make sure that I was eating nothing but vegetables and protein… but I look good on screen. I got the approval from my wife,” Maurice shared.
Adding to the film’s charm is a carefully curated soundtrack, setting it apart from typical holiday fare. “Fake Yourself A Merry Little Christmas is nostalgic. The music is so good… I wish there was a soundtrack that you could download because it’s really good. It really does set the tone for the entire movie,” Maurice said.
For anyone wondering how Maurice would sum up the film, he offered a candid answer: “It’s going to be cringe. It’s definitely going to be cringey in the beginning. You’re going to be like, why is this girl doing this? But by the time you get towards the end of the film, you relax, and you’ll smile, and you’ll be happy that you watched Fake Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”
Reflecting on the experience of working with OWN, Maurice emphasized the importance of the network’s focus on heart and inclusion. “OWN is doing a phenomenal job of being able to explore new experiences with these holiday films. I’m just glad to be a part of the franchise.”
OWN’s “OWN For the Holidays 2025” event will showcase three uplifting premieres: “Fake Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” on November 29, “The Christmas Showdown” on December 6, and “Very Merry Mystery” on December 13, each airing at 9 pm ET/PT. Audiences can look forward to three consecutive Saturdays of holiday cheer, romance, and heartwarming storytelling.
Watch our full conversation with Etienne Maurice below.
*This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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