Susan Kelechi Watson stars in Netflix's "The Residence."

Susan Kelechi Watson is known for her role as Beth Pearson in "This Is Us." Now, she stars as Jasmine Haney, the White House Deputy Usher in the Netflix murder mystery series "The Residence." This series features Uzo Aduba as a detective who investigates a murder at the White House. In a key scene, Watson’s character says, “This is us,” which fans of "This Is Us" appreciated. Watson clarified in a recent interview that the line was written in the script and not improvised. She enjoyed saying it, even though it reminded her of her previous show. The premiere also brought up the late Andre Braugher, who was originally cast as Haney's boss, A.B. Wynter. Braugher filmed four episodes before production halted due to a strike in 2023. He sadly passed away at the age of 61 before filming could continue, and the series pays tribute to him at its end. In an emotional interview, Watson shared memories of working with Braugher, noting his talent and charisma. She called his death a significant loss. The producers considered different options for the role before deciding to recast it, giving it to Giancarlo Esposito. Watson praised Esposito for honoring Braugher's legacy in the role. Watson described the finale's scenes as a tribute to Braugher, highlighting the emotional weight of the performance. The series creator, Paul William Davies, wrote a special speech in honor of Braugher after his passing. Reflecting on the production, Watson noted the team has faced many challenges but found joy through their work on the show.