Evan Marsh brings his comedic charm to The Z-Suite, where he plays Minnesota Matt—a character that has quickly become a fan favorite. Known for his high energy, eager-to-please attitude, and constant misfires, Matt is the millennial glue bridging the generational gap in the workplace satire series. In an interview with Pop Culture Unplugged, Marsh shared his thoughts on playing the character, his love for Jim Carrey, and what’s next in his career.
From Theater to Screen: Marsh’s Journey to Acting
Before landing the role of Minnesota Matt, Marsh’s journey into acting started at a young age. "I started fairly young, just in theater," he recalled. "My parents saw I had a bunch of energy and put me into it." However, he didn’t want to be a child actor and instead took his time before pursuing it professionally.
After high school, he attended Humber College’s Acting for Film and Television program, which he highly recommends. "I hit the ground running from there, enjoying all the highs and lows that come with acting."
A Love for Comedy and Jim Carrey’s Influence
Growing up, Marsh was heavily influenced by comedy, particularly Jim Carrey’s movies. "My dad owns a record store, so I’d take home movies all the time. I was a huge fan of Jim Carrey," he said. When asked which movie he watched the most, he instantly responded, Liar, Liar.
While discussing comedy sequels, Marsh admitted that he has mixed feelings about follow-ups to beloved classics. "There have been sequels lately like Anchorman 2 and Zoolander 2 that didn’t quite capture the magic of the originals. Sometimes, I believe in leaving well enough alone if it’s perfect." However, he did agree that a Dumb and Dumber 3 could serve as a redemption for the franchise.
Landing the Role of Minnesota Matt in The Z-Suite
Marsh landed his role in The Z-Suite through a regular audition process. "I read the series breakdown and saw that Minnesota Matt was the only millennial among the main cast," he explained. "That really stood out to me because he’s kind of the glue between generations."
After sending in his audition tape, he was called back for chemistry reads with Katie O’Brien and showrunner Tristram Shapeero. "Apparently, it went well, and the rest is history."
Who Is Minnesota Matt?
Marsh described his character as a "try-hard millennial who consistently puts his foot in his mouth." Matt always believes he’s doing the right thing but never quite gets it right. "He’s eager, enthusiastic, and totally unaware of how he’s perceived," Marsh laughed. "It’s been fun playing a guy who just doesn’t read the room well."
Despite his character’s awkwardness, Marsh was excited to learn that Minnesota Matt has become a fan favorite. "I haven’t looked too much into reactions, but that’s great to hear," he said. "It felt like Matt would be a standout when I read the script, so it’s good to know people are enjoying him."
Approaching the Role and Improvisation on Set
Marsh drew from his natural energy when playing Matt. "I can be high-energy, so I leaned into that," he said. However, Matt’s inability to read the room was a trait that Marsh had to embrace for the role. "I think I have a good pulse on when less is more, whereas Matt just goes full throttle all the time."
The show’s production allowed room for improvisation. "We’d shoot scenes as scripted a couple of times, then they’d let us play," he revealed. "It’s always fun when I see little improv moments make it into the final cut."
One of those moments included a running gag with finger guns. "Katie O’Brien was really keen on me doing the ‘cheesy finger guns’ move. It’s very Michael Scott," he laughed.
The Challenges of Being Taken Seriously
Throughout the series, Matt desperately wants to be taken seriously—but he’s met with constant roadblocks. "He’s never given a real chance," Marsh noted. "It’s not just that he messes up; people assume he’ll fail before he even gets started."
This struggle is evident in episode four’s viral "Bob & Burger" moment. "I loved that storyline," he said. "The Gen-Z characters were so convinced they were crushing it with their marketing, but they completely missed the mark. It’s a perfect reflection of how brands misunderstand social media."
Is Matt Loyal or Opportunistic?
One of the season’s major turning points was Matt’s apparent betrayal of the team. "Some fans felt like he turned on them," Marsh acknowledged. "But I think it’s more that he’s been overlooked so many times that when an opportunity comes, he takes it. He was also manipulated a bit, so I wouldn’t call it outright sabotage."
However, one thing is clear: Matt remains fiercely loyal to Krista. "He’s loyal to whoever’s in charge," Marsh laughed. "He switched his allegiance from Monica to Krista pretty quickly. That’s a trait I definitely don’t share with Matt!"
Who Would Marsh Like to Work With More?
Looking ahead, Marsh hopes for more scenes with certain cast members. "I’d love more screen time with Reese Darby, who plays Buffy," he said. "He’s one of the funniest guys—I’ve been a fan of his since Yes Man."
He also hopes for more scenes with Mark McKinney (Kids in the Hall, SNL). "He’s a legend."
Among the main cast, Marsh would love more scenes with Nico Santos (Doug). "Doug is hilarious. Even a simple line that isn’t meant to be funny becomes comedic gold when he delivers it."
The Mystery of Minnesota Matt’s Nickname
Fans have speculated about the origin of Matt’s nickname. Will we ever get an explanation? "Not this season," Marsh revealed. "But maybe in a future season."
If given creative control, he’d love to add a comedic twist to the backstory. "I like the idea that he either only lived in Minnesota briefly, or that everyone’s just wrong and he never lived there at all," he joked.
The Z-Suite’s Satirical Take on Workplace Culture
The Z-Suite pokes fun at modern corporate culture, especially intergenerational office dynamics. "I think the show nails how younger employees think they can do the job better than their older counterparts," Marsh said.
One of his favorite aspects is how the side characters shine. "Like The Office and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, this show gives small characters memorable moments. Even if they only have a few lines, they’re recognizable and make an impact."
Would Marsh Be Friends with Minnesota Matt?
When asked if he’d be friends with his character in real life, Marsh laughed. "Probably not. I like to sit back and let the world come to me. Matt is too much!"
If he had to give Matt advice? "I’d tell him to just breathe. Stop trying so hard. It’s like in relationships—if you’re too needy, people pull away."
Looking Ahead: New Projects
Beyond The Z-Suite, Marsh has an exciting project on the horizon: Wingman, a comedy film written and directed by Harlan Williams. "It’s an old-school comedy with Jamie Kennedy and Russell Peters. It’s zany, wacky, and pushes the envelope a bit," he said.
And the best part? "The producer is currently in talks with Netflix, so fingers crossed!"
Where to Follow Evan Marsh
For those wanting to keep up with Marsh, he’s on Instagram (@evan11evan11) and TikTok, though he admits, "I’m not a huge social media guy, but I post some behind-the-scenes stuff."
With The Z-Suite gaining traction and Wingman on the way, Evan Marsh is just getting started—and Minnesota Matt’s story is far from over.