Movies & TV / Columns
Grace Shen On Her Role In My Apocalyptic Thanksgiving, Moviemaking Heroes
Image Credit: Freestyle Digital Media
The 411 Interview: Grace Shen
Grace Shen is an actor who has been working in both TV and movies, according to her IMDb page, since at least 1989. Shen has appeared in such TV shows as MacGyver (1989), Smoked (2011), Grey’s Anatomy (2014), 9-1-1: Lone Star (2021), Bosch: Legacy (2022), and The Brothers Sun (2024), and in such short films as The Curse of the Sapphire Pendant (2009), The Magic of Friendship (2016), Three Chen Sisters (2017), The Last Lesbian (2018), and Trials and Tribulations (2023), and the feature films All About Nina (2018), A Stone Cold Christmas (2018), and Bad Connection (2023), among others. Shen also appeared in the comedy-drama My Apocalyptic Thanksgiving, which you can now watch on the free Tubi streaming platform (check out the movie here). In this interview, Shen talks with this writer about making My Apocalyptic Thanksgiving, working with director Charles B. Unger, working with her fellow cast members, and more.
**
Bryan Kristopowitz: How did you get involved with My Apocalyptic Thanksgiving?
Grace Shen: It was through the typical casting process. I submitted myself on the casting notice, received an audition, and then got a call back. All in person, it was before COVID.
BK: How did you approach your character Me Young?
GS: I use my imagination, visualize, use my personal life. For example, Me Young’s back pain. I had a back issue at one time and remembered the pain, discomfort, how I moved at the time, etc. I also know about the immigrant experience through my parents. I read the script a lot. I really wanted to get the Korean accent down, so I went to a mall in Koreatown and asked a woman who didn’t speak much English if I could tape her speaking my lines in English. I created a bio/backstory for her.
BK: Describe your working relationship with director Charles B. Unger.
GS: It was great, easy going. Charles really allowed for me to be open and explore and try different things in the scenes.
BK: What was it like working with your fellow My Apocalyptic Thanksgiving cast members?
GS: It was a lot of fun! I loved working with every single cast member. Again, very easy going. We joked around between takes and got to know each other. I am still good friends with Ray Chang, who played my husband.
BK: What was the hardest part of making My Apocalyptic Thanksgiving for you as an actor? What was the easiest?
GS: Hardest part? Having to slap my son’s (Chris Wu’s) face. I think I hit him pretty hard in the heat of the moment. Easiest part? Working with the cast and crew.
BK: Do you have a favorite scene in My Apocalyptic Thanksgiving?
GS: At the end, where the Korean family comes over to the house to celebrate Thanksgiving and we are all throwing popcorn around and watching the zombie show. Family.
BK: Was it fun being pushed around in that shopping cart? And was it difficult actually getting into it?
GS: It was so much fun being pushed around in that shopping cart! It wasn’t difficult at all, I fit in there really well.
BK: According to IMDb, you’ve worked in both television and film in your career. Do you have a preference for either, or is it ultimately all about the material?
GS: I prefer working in film, but yes, it is ultimately all about the material that is fulfilling.
BK: What was it like working on TV shows like 9-1-1: Lone Star and Bosch: Legacy?
GS: It was awesome! It moves so quickly, you have to be on your “A” game. I love being on set, so many people doing their respective jobs. Titus Welliver, Jim Parrack and Sierra Aylina McClain were all super nice.
BK: Any moviemaking heroes?
GS: I watched Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan a lot when I was younger. The miniseries Roots (1977) made an impression on me. Meryl Streep is my all- time go to inspiration.
BK: Any upcoming projects you can tell us about?
GS: I’m in the pilot episode of the new Netflix series, coming out in 2026 called Man On Fire starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. Got to go to Mexico City to shoot that.
BK: What do you hope audiences get out of My Apocalyptic Thanksgiving?
GS: I hope audiences will be more accepting and forgiving in whatever life brings them, and more understanding of people with mental disabilities. Love conquers all.
BK: How many times did you have to go up and down those stairs?
GS: Ha, ha…I can’t remember, but not that many. I could have gone up and down those stairs many more times. 🙂
BK: Do you think you would survive a zombie apocalypse?
GS: Yes, I think so. I’m very resourceful.
BK: Is it Thanksgiving dinner or Thanksgiving lunch?
GS: Thanksgiving dinner!
**
A very special thanks to Grace Shen for agreeing to participate in this interview and to david j. moore for setting it up.
My Apocalyptic Thanksgiving is currently available to watch on the free Tubi streaming platform here!
Check out my review of My Apocalyptic Thanksgiving here!
Check out the official My Apocalyptic Thanksgiving Facebook page here, official Twitter page here, and official Instagram page here!
Check out the official My Apocalyptic Thanksgiving website here!
Check out Grace Shen’s official website here!
Check out Grace Shen’s official Facebook page here and official Instagram page here!
Check out Grace Shen’s IMDb page here!
Grace Shen image courtesy of Joanna Degeneres. All other images courtesy of Freestyle Digital Media.
