Produced by Shonda Rhimes' production company Shondaland, The Residence opens with a dead body found in the White House. With 132 rooms and 157 suspects (including Kylie Minogue), what was supposed to be a dinner party of international proportions quickly devolves into an eccentric whodunit set in the world's most famous mansion.
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“There was a way [This Is Us] had of exploring a person's life in a way that made it hard for you to judge them just by the moment that they were in,” Watson exclusively tells Parade. “One of the big lessons I learned is that there's more to people than just the moment that they're living in right now. So much went into creating how they deal with that moment. It gave me a lot more grace towards people and how I see them.”
Susan Kelechi WatsonJonny Marlow
“I literally told my agents, ‘Look, you guys tell Andre Braugher my contract is contingent on him saying yes to his.’ I said it jokingly, but I admire that man's work so much. I am a total fangirl for Andre Braugher. He's the actor's actor.”
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“I had the good fortune of working with him in almost every scene,” recalls Watson. “I just had so much opportunity to sit with him and talk with him. I'm the fangirl that felt like, ‘Oh, I got a chance to be his friend.’ Just such a great artist, but such a family man, loved and adored by his wife and his kids. He would often leave set to go see his son on stage at the Guthrie Theater [in Minneapolis] and then come back. I can't say enough about Andre. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to have been that close to him.”
Andre BraugherFrederick M. Brown/Getty Images
The cast and crew honored Braugher’s legacy on set — and in front of the camera. “There were moments in the script that felt very Andre-esque. We had an opportunity to really have a moment together as a cast and lift him up. Andre will be missed.”
Following his death, Braugher’s role was taken over by Esposito, who re-filmed his scenes. Uzo Aduba, Randall Park, Edwina Findley, J.D. Hall, Ken Marino and dozens more also star in the series, and Watson was struck by the diversity on set.
The cast of 'The Residence'Jessica Brooks/Netflix
The diversity carried on behind the scenes as well, from the production crew to the hair and makeup departments. “It felt as it should be,” she reflects. “I hadn't seen a sound department of all Black people led by a young Black woman before. You had so many people of different backgrounds working that it had to be intentional. People were operating at the highest level, and it was something that you couldn't not see. That was something I really applaud Shondaland for.”
“Ken Marino singing karaoke is something to behold. Isiah Whitlock Jr. getting up and singing ‘Brick House.’ These are the things that you want to see. We had some really great moments hanging out as a cast. They're just the best people, I really love them.”
The Shondaland Cinematic Universe has become synonymous with the onscreen TV monologue. Grey’s Anatomy gave us, “Pick me, choose me, love me.” Bridgerton ignited the world with, “I desire you. I burn for you. I can't sleep at night for wanting you.” And who can forget Scandal’s, “I am the hell and the high water!” (And those are just the tip of the iceberg.)
“It's funny, when I did that first monologue. I did not have a real full grasp on who the character was. I was still learning her and who she was as I was doing that monologue,” she explains, adding that the scene “was actually a really great teacher for me about who she was as a person, as a character.”
The Residence is streaming now on Netflix.
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