Netflix ‘The Residence’ Cast Honors Late ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ Legend Andre Braugher in Heartfelt Tribute

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Andre Braugher, the Emmy-winning actor celebrated for Homicide: Life on the Street 

and Brooklyn Nine-Nine

, tragically passed away in December 2023 at age 61 after a private battle with lung cancer. At the time of his death, Braugher was filming The Residence

, Shonda Rhimes’ new White House mystery, where he portrayed A.B. Wynter- a composed chief usher turned victim. The role was later recast with Giancarlo Esposito, but Braugher’s legacy lingers through flashbacks and a poignant tribute card closing the season.

Stepping into Braugher’s role was no small feat, but Esposito found strength in their decades-long friendship and shared theatrical roots.

Giancarlo Esposito and cast reflect on Andre Braugher’s enduring legacy

At The Residence

 premiere, Giancarlo Esposito opened up to Variety about honoring Andre Braugher’s memory

while making the role his own. The two had collaborated on Homicide: Life on the Street

 and bonded over New York theater in their early careers. Esposito initially hesitated to replace his late friend but realized Braugher would want him to embrace the challenge authentically. “I honor him completely in my performance because I knew him

,” he said. 

Creator Paul William Davies also confirmed to PEOPLE, that no rewrites were needed for Esposito, praising his ability to reinterpret A.B. Wynter while preserving Braugher’s spirit. Davies emphasized the cast’s gratitude for Esposito joining under such tragic circumstances, noting the actor’s personal connection to Braugher added emotional depth to the transition. Additionally, the series honors Braugher with a memorial card in its finale, ensuring his contributions remain etched into the show’s DNA. The Residence

has much more to offer. 

Read More: Will ‘The Residence’ by Shonda Rhimes Come to Netflix? Release Date, Cast, and Plot, Here’s All We Know

The show blended screwball comedy and political intrigue, drawing inspiration from old mystery films and a pop icon’s surprise cameo.

How Knives Out and Kylie Minogue shaped Netflix’s The Residence

Showrunner Paul William Davies revealed Knives Out

 revitalized his passion for crime mysteries, citing its modern twist on 1970s whodunits as a blueprint. The Residence

 mirrors Rian Johnson’s playful genre reinvention, mixing Clue-style chaos with Fawlty Towers

 farce. Uzo Aduba stars as detective Cordelia Cupp, navigating a star-studded suspect list during a White House state dinner.

The series also features unexpected casting coups, including Kylie Minogue as herself. Davies admitted the team wrote her role ambitiously, unsure if the pop legend would agree. Minogue’s enthusiasm led to an expanded part, complete with a rendition of her hit ‘Can’t Get You Out of My Head’. The collaboration, Davies said, epitomized the show’s blend of whimsy and suspense. The Residence

stands as both a gripping whodunit and a moving homage to Andre Braugher, blending sharp genre reinvention with heartfelt reverence.

Read More: Shonda Rhimes Shines Again as Bridgerton Season 2 Breaks Netflix Record in First Three Days of Release

Share your favorite Andre Braugher memory or thoughts on Giancarlo Esposito’s heartfelt tribute in the comments.

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