The Holiday Shift

2023 television series on Roku Channel

The Holiday ShiftGenreRomantic comedyCreated byTommy JohnaginDirected byPaul FoxStarringVarun SarangaJean-Luc BilodeauDevyn NekodaNadine BhabhaBrielle RobillardMichael DellevaSarah LevyJon DoreCountry of originUnited StatesOriginal languageEnglishNo. of seasons1No. of episodes5ProductionExecutive producers Jackie Filgo Jeff Filgo Tommy Johnagin Joe Hardesty Paul Fox Leo Pearlman Ben Winston Jeff Grosvenor Production companiesCBS StudiosFulwell 73Original releaseNetworkRoku ChannelReleaseNovember 17, 2023 (2023-11-17) The Holiday Shift is a 2023 American romantic comedy television series broadcast on The Roku Channel. Produced by CBS Studios and Fulwell 73, the series premiered on November 17, 2023.

[edit] The Holiday Shift is a comedy series set in a mall during the holiday season. It follows the intersecting love stories of several employees dealing with holiday shoppers, personal relationships, and workplace challenges.

[edit] Main[edit] Varun Saranga as Sam Jean-Luc Bilodeau as Ronnie Devyn Nekoda as Tess Nadine Bhabha as Marissa Brielle Robillard as Summer Michael Delleva as Deonte Sarah Levy as Susan Jon Dore as Brian Adam Fox as Austin

[edit] The series was created by Tommy Johnagin. Paul Fox directed all episodes, with Johnagin serving as the sole writer. Filming took place entirely at the Portage Place Mall in downtown Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

[edit] No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date1"The One"Paul FoxTommy JohnaginNovember 17, 2023 (2023-11-17)

It's Black Friday at Love Town Center Mall, and Sam sees his secret crush, Tess, is back in town. The group debates Sam's next steps, while a Mystery Giver fills the mall's toy bins with gifts. 2"Love at First Sight"Paul FoxTommy JohnaginNovember 17, 2023 (2023-11-17)

Tess feels jealous on a double date, Deonte experiences love at first sight, and the Mystery Giver strikes again. Marissa and Ronnie find common ground, while Brian conceals his troubles. 3"The Lean In"Paul FoxTommy JohnaginNovember 17, 2023 (2023-11-17)

Tess is torn between Sam and Trevor, seeking advice from Henry. Summer avoids her past, while Deonte obsesses over his crush. Ronnie and Marissa's friendship evolves, and the Mystery Giver brings cheer. 4"Long Distance"Paul FoxTommy JohnaginNovember 17, 2023 (2023-11-17)

Trevor asks Sam for ring advice, leading to complications with Tess. Ronnie realizes his feelings for Marissa, Deonte fears losing his love, and Summer reconciles with her sister. The Mystery Giver's identity is revealed. 5"The Finale"Paul FoxTommy JohnaginNovember 17, 2023 (2023-11-17)

Tess rethinks her relationship with Trevor, realizing Sam's move to New York. Ronnie expresses his feelings to Marissa through an epic gesture, and the friends celebrate Christmas Eve eve. The true Mystery Giver is unveiled.

The timing of The Holiday Shift’s debut – right after the UK’s Thanksgiving‑style November sales and before the festive rush – hit a sweet spot for binge‑watchers looking for light romance without the commitment of a full‑length film. Its five‑episode format mirrors the traditional Christmas calendar, giving viewers a daily dose of cosy humour that fits neatly into the short breaks between shop‑front queues and family gatherings. By anchoring the series on a free‑to‑watch platform like The Roku Channel, it bypasses the paywall barrier that often deters casual viewers, making it an easy add‑on to a weekend of mince pies and mulled wine.

Treat the series as a mini‑marathon: start the first episode with a warm drink, then schedule the remaining four for successive nights, ideally on the days leading up to Christmas. The cast’s chemistry evolves slowly, so watching in order helps you notice the subtle shifts in character dynamics that the title hints at. Pair each episode with a simple snack – think cheese and crackers or ginger biscuits – to keep the focus on dialogue rather than cinema‑level special effects. If you have a smart TV, enable subtitles; the humour often lands in quick one‑liners that benefit from a second read.

While the series is marketed as a breezy rom‑com, its production pedigree is worth noting. CBS Studios and Fulwell 73 bring together American sitcom expertise and a UK‑friendly sensibility, evident in the understated British humour that slips into the script. The executive producers, many of whom have cultivated holiday specials for network television, intentionally kept the setting ambiguous to allow international audiences to project their own festive traditions onto the story. This universal design means the series can feel simultaneously familiar and fresh for British viewers, a nuance that often gets overlooked in surface‑level reviews.