Giancarlo Esposito to Replace the Late Andre Braugher in Netflix’s Residence

Shonda Rhimes has completed the unenviable task of replacing the late Andre Braugher.

Breaking Bad/Better Call Saul vet Giancarlo Esposito has been tapped to succeed Braugher in Netflix’s Rhimes-EP’d caper The Residence, Deadline reports.

More from TVLine

Braugher died in mid-December following a brief battle with lung cancer. He was 61.

The Residence follows Cordelia Cupp (Orange Is the New Black‘s Uzo Aduba), a consulting detective for the Metropolitan Police Department, who is described as “an astute observer of human behavior, with a distinctive and — to some, unsettling — conversational style.” Cupp must solve a murder that happens during a State Dinner, but while she investigates, interpersonal conflicts between the massive residence staff begin to unfold.

Esposito takes over Braugher’s role of White House Chief Usher. A.B. Wynter.

“I couldn’t be prouder and more honored to be stepping into Shondaland’s The Residence for someone that I loved and respected and cherished in Andre Braugher,” Esposito said in a statement. “To be afforded the opportunity to create in his honor with this incredible team extends the depth and breadth of his legacy through all of us who loved him so dearly.”

This is not the first time Esposito inherited Braugher’s professional baton. In 1998, Esposito joined Homicide: Life on the Street, filling the void left by Braugher, who exited the NBC drama ahead of the final season. The two later co-starred in the series’ 2000 wrap-up movie.

Best of TVLine

Get more from TVLine.com: Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Newsletter