Giancarlo Esposito has opened up about the emotional and professional challenge of stepping into the role of A.B. Wynter in Netflix’s The Residence following the passing of the legendary Andre Braugher. The Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Homicide: Life on the Street actor was originally set to portray the White House Chief Usher in the highly anticipated Shondaland-produced series. Braugher had already filmed scenes for four out of eight episodes before his tragic passing in December 2023 due to lung cancer.
Netflix and showrunner Paul William Davies later made the difficult choice to recast and reshoot his scenes, with actor Giancarlo Esposito stepping in. However, Esposito admits it was not an easy call.
Giancarlo Esposito on Honoring Andre Braugher’s Legacy
Speaking at The Residence premiere, Esposito, known for his roles in Breaking Bad, Your Honor, and Special Ops: Lioness, reflected on the difficulty of replacing Braugher in the mystery-drama series.
“[Andre Braugher] was someone I deeply respected. His work was unparalleled—one of the greatest actors of our time, excelling in both drama and comedy. I worked with him on Homicide: Life on the Street, and we had a history dating back to our New York theater days. I first saw him in Glory, and I remember thinking—his performance was the movie.”
Esposito admitted that he initially hesitated to take on the role, questioning whether it was the right decision. However, he soon reframed his perspective:
“To step into the shoes of someone as iconic as Braugher was daunting, especially since I had a personal relationship with him. How could I separate my grief and memories from the character? Then I realized—Andre was still with us in spirit. If I played the role as a tribute to him, everything would fall into place.”
How The Residence Pays Tribute to Andre Braugher
A.B. Wynter plays a pivotal role in The Residence, catalyzing the show’s quirky murder mystery. The first episode begins with Wynter’s unexpected death, prompting Uzo Aduba’s eccentric detective Cordelia Cupp to investigate a tangled web of secrets inside the White House.
By the finale, Cupp not only uncovers the identity of the killer but also delivers a moving speech about Wynter—one that the cast admitted felt like a eulogy for Braugher himself.
The final episode closes with a title card that reads:
“In Memory of Andre Braugher”
Showrunner Paul William Davies explained the significance of this tribute:
“We wanted to make it clear—Andre was part of this entire journey, and we have not forgotten him.”
With Giancarlo Esposito leading the series, The Residence continues to carry Braugher’s legacy forward.
Source: Ap News
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