Susan Kelechi Watson, Andre Braugher, Paul William Davies. Photo:
Savion Washington/WireImage; Michael Loccisano/Getty; Maya Dehlin Spach/FilmMagic
The cast of The Residence is remembering their late costar, Andre Braugher.
On Wednesday, March 19, several cast members including series creator Paul William Davies, Susan Kelechi Watson and Barrett Foa looked back at their time on the set of Netflix’s latest whodunit series with the late actor.
Before his death at 61 in December 2023, Braugher had filmed a few episodes of The Residence as White House Chief Usher, A.B. Winter. After the Brooklyn Nine-Nine alum died unexpectedly after living with lung cancer, his character was recast and Giancarlo Esposito took over the role.
“They’re both brilliant actors, but totally different in how they approached it,” Davies exclusively told PEOPLE at the show’s world premiere. “I honestly didn’t rewrite it at all for Giancarlo. I mean, that’s the beauty of great acting, is that they take something and make it their own.”
Davies added that the cast was “so fortunate” for Esposito, 66, to come aboard the project, and revealed that the actor’s decision in part was a result of his close relationship with Braugher “and what he felt about him.” Despite the “tragic circumstance” of Braugher’s death, Davies said that the casting change “worked out as well as it could have” because there was “kind of a continuity there and a real respect.”
Uzo Aduba as Cordelia Cupp, Randall Park as Edwin Park, Andre Braugher as A.B. Wynter at the table read for The Residence. Jessica Brooks/Netflix
“I like to think that Andre, as a real actor’s actor would’ve appreciated what Giancarlo did in coming in and working with all of us in the way that he did,” he added.
Though there aren’t any hidden easter eggs dedicated to the late actor, Davies revealed there would be a tribute to Braugher at the very end of the show.
“He lived with us throughout the entire making of this. When he was here and when he was gone, we all thought about him constantly,” he explained. “His kind of spirit was throughout the whole show.”
Foa, 47, agreed with Davies’ sentiments and described Braugher as a “constant professional” and shared how the actor connected with “everyone” during his conversation with PEOPLE.
“When he passed, it was that scary thing of like, ‘Is this thing going to go on? Is the whole thing going to get canceled?’ And then when Giancarlo came in, it was like, this person’s not replacing someone,” he recalled, noting how Davies helped “set up” a respectful transition.
Giancarlo Esposito as A.B. Wynter in episode 108 of The Residence. Jessica Brooks/Netflix
“They’re just both honoring this character,” he said of both Braugher and Esposito. “We have one version and then there’s another version. The other version is the version we’re just going to see.”
When it comes to looking back at any fond memories, Watson, 43, told PEOPLE that one of her favorite moments with Braugher included joking around backstage.
“I remember asking him things and he would answer questions with such genuine authenticity and honesty, but there was just this kind of deadpan humor to it, and we would just crack up,” she laughed. “It was hilarious. And then I would kind of play over him and we’d go back and forth and we just had a lot of fun behind the scenes.”
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
The Residence is available to stream on Netflix.
