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Netflix’s upcoming murder mystery comedy The Residence has honored the late Andre Braugher, who was originally cast as White House Chief Usher A.B. Wynter. Braugher, best known for his roles in Homicide: Life on the Street and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, tragically passed away in December 2023 due to lung cancer, before he could complete filming. Despite this, he filmed several episodes, and his role was later recast with Giancarlo Esposito, a close friend of Braugher’s.
The show has paid tribute to Braugher with a special card at the end of its eight-episode run. Co-star Susan Kelechi Watson, who plays White House assistant usher Jasmine Haney, expressed deep admiration for Braugher, calling him a “brilliant” actor and “comedic genius.” She fondly recalled their first meeting on set, describing him as charismatic, intelligent, and a loving family man.
Show creator Paul William Davies shared how deeply affected he was by Braugher’s passing, describing him as “a wonderful human being and an incredible actor” who had a lasting impact on everyone who worked with him.
To honor Braugher’s memory, the final episode of The Residence includes a moving tribute, with a speech by Uzo Aduba’s character, Cordelia Cupp, rewritten to feel like a eulogy. The show also includes a card that says “In Memory” at the end, symbolizing Braugher’s continued presence in the project, even after his passing.
While replacing Braugher’s role was difficult, Davies praised Giancarlo Esposito for stepping in with grace and honoring his late friend. Kelechi Watson expressed gratitude that the series was able to move forward despite the challenges, including the pandemic, the writers’ strike, and Braugher’s death, ensuring the production lived up to his legacy.