Chad Michael Murray Steams Up Christmas by Dancing Shirtless in “The Merry Gentlemen” Trailer (Exclusive)
Britt Robertson and Marla Sokoloff star alongside Chad Michael Murray in the Netflix holiday rom-com
Britt Robertson is enlisting Chad Michael Murray to save Christmas with his dance moves.
PEOPLE has the exclusive first trailer for The Merry Gentlemen, a Netflix rom-com about a former big-city dancer (Robertson) who decides to stage an all-male, Christmas-themed revue to save her parents’ small-town performing venue.
The film is directed by Peter Sullivan and written by Marla Sokoloff, who also stars. The cast also includes Beth Broderick, Michael Gross, Maxwell Caulfield, Hector David Jr., Colt Prattes and Marc Anthony Samuel.
Sokoloff, 43, tells PEOPLE the film is "a different take on Christmas movies," adding, "This one has a different and fun vibe and something for everyone. Chad and Britt are such a magical combo. I just smile so big when watching them together."
Patrick Wymore/Netflix
Britt Robertson and Chad Michael Murray in "The Merry Gentlemen"Robertson, 34, who plays Ashley in the film, explains that "a lot of hard work and effort went into choreographing" the dance performances and the different acts throughout the film. "It's sort of at the heart of the film, so I hope people can appreciate that," she says.
"I love tap dancing and the sound of tap, and the boys are pretty cute too," says Robertson of the film's appeal. "They get a very shirts-off, abs-out kind of look — it's pretty good. It's really the reason you want to watch. I'm just the decoration."
Katrina Marcinowski/Netflix
Chad Michael Murray in "The Merry Gentlemen"Luke is played by Murray, 43, who says he had little-to-no dance training prior to filming The Merry Gentlemen. "When I see something and it scares the crap out of me, something in me says, ‘Alright, well let's see what we can do. I'm going to fall flat on my face or have a lot of fun doing it.’ So that was what really pulled me in," he tells PEOPLE.
The physical transformation was "very intense" but, ultimately, "I love a good challenge," he adds.
Katrina Marcinowski/Netflix
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Robertson recalls meeting Murray during a dance rehearsal and seeing him in "full-out hip-hop gear" with knee pads.
"He was really immersed in the whole element and spirit of dance rehearsal, so I really appreciate that," she says. "He seemed to put a lot of effort into it and he cared a lot. I always think that's a good sign when your actors care about what they're doing. I was impressed."
Katrina Marcinowski/Netflix
Marla Sokoloff and Britt Robertson in "The Merry Gentlemen"Says Sokoloff, "I have never been around so many people that have such impressive abdominal muscles — including Britt! Not to mention how lovely they all were. The set was super fun."
The Merry Gentlemen is on Netflix Nov. 20.
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