“Oh my God, what is Andre doing here?”: Brooklyn Nine-Nine actor Andy Samberg recalls Andre Braugher’s comedy genius on set

Brooklyn Nine-Nine had its share of iconic characters, but it's hard to think of any that had a lasting impact on viewers as Captain Raymond Holt, played by Andre Braugher. During a recent interview with Good Hang with Amy Poehler, Andy Samberg, who headed the show in the role of the bumbling but lovable detective Jake Peralta, remembers that memorable moment when Braugher first read his lines. As per Deadline, he said,

"From that moment forward, the only thing me and him had to even talk about creatively was in the beginning he didn’t trust himself to do comedy because he came so strictly from drama and Juilliard and five or six times we would do a more serious topic on the show"

He continued,

"And he would flip that switch and everyone would be like, ‘Oh my God, what is Andre doing here? He’s so good.'”

"That wasn't an unplanned outburst of shock. The whole room gasped at Braugher's wit," says Samberg.

Respected in full measure as he was for his intense dramatic arcs on Homicide: Life on the Street and Men of a Certain Age, Braugher wasn't exactly the type of actor who comes to mind immediately as someone you'd immediately want to cast in a half-hour sitcom packed with surrealism, gags, and punchlines. And yet, on first read of the Captain Raymond Holt role, his presence not only read well, but it was necessary.

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Andre Braugher’s unexpected comic timing surprised everyone in Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Samberg recalled Braugher's entrance as totally unexpected. The actors had anticipated a dramatic presence, but what they read was a comedic one that stunned the room. Samberg described Braugher's understanding of comic timing and delivery as not ham-fisted gestures and operatic reaction but rather something in dead earnest.

Braugher's tone and timing control brought a completely different level of quality to the scenes, one which stood out not because it conflicted with the surrounding comedy, but because it cut it closer. His ability to make us laugh without necessarily changing facial expressions became a characteristic.

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Braugher's method in Brooklyn Nine-Nine: Mastering the science of comedy

What most intrigued Samberg wasn't Braugher's acting, but his approach. Braugher researched comedy like a scientist. He would question the performers in rehearsals, trying to grasp what was amusing and how to lead a punchline with as little movement as possible.

In an interview with Variety, Braugher has himself said that,

"Can a comedy sustain the things that we’re trying to talk about? I don’t know. It could be a really groundbreaking season that we’re all going to be very, very proud of, or we’re going to fall flat on our face. … But I think this is a staff, a cast and a crew that’s willing to take it on and give it our best. I think we have a damn good chance to tell the kinds of stories that heretofore have only been seen on grittier shows."

Rather than phoning it in or winging it, Braugher applied the same focus on precision that he applied to his dramatic work to comedy. His thoughtful and measured approach to working with the material impressed Samberg, remarking on how strange it was to see an actor so eager and dedicated to learning a genre he had never been involved with before.

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Captain Holt in Brooklyn Nine-Nine: A character defined by control and restraint

While the rest of the Brooklyn Nine-Nine ensemble completely over-the-top'd it, Braugher's Raymond Holt never did. Holt was always composed and collected, making the jokes all the funnier. As per the BBC, the contributing editor and columnist at Empire magazine, Amon Warmann, said,

"For me, Captain Holt was the best aspect of that show, bar none. Yes, he could be goofy, like a lot of the characters, but more than anyone else on the show, he brought the gravitas."

Holt's icy glares, his graphic one-liners, and his impassive reactions became part of the show's comedic beat. According to Entertainment Weekly, Lester Fabiasteven Brathwaite wrote,

"Holt was a man without expression but never without feeling. And he was a wonderfully complicated character, a man full of contradictions — a gay Black police captain that thanks to Braugher's talent and skill, was also human."

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A soothing presence on set and an inspiration in Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Off-set, as well, Braugher's presence was soothing to the set culture. In a cast of improv-trained comedians and sketch veterans, Braugher held firm and made everyone else more adept at what they did along the way.

His sense of discipline, consistency, and respectful nature made a lasting impression far beyond his screen time. His professional approach towards the work, as well as the actors doing it, served to bring the show's consistent tone and rich ensemble dynamic into focus.

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Braugher's legacy in Brooklyn Nine-Nine's success

Throughout Brooklyn Nine-Nine's eight seasons, Braugher's character had grown beyond the confines of comic relief. He became the emotional center of some of the show's most significant storylines regarding office bias, family life, and identity. Braugher's gravitas provided gravity to those heavier storylines so that the show wouldn't have to sacrifice layers for humor.

Samberg did not just idolize Braugher's abilities; he went on record as specifically crediting the latter with helping shape what the show ended up being. Braugher would be the focus of scenes and episodes, often through subtle performance or strongly felt silence.

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Reflecting on a co-star, a mentor, and a pal

Following Braugher's December 2023 death, fans of Brooklyn Nine-Nine and colleagues alike praised him lavishly. Samberg's recollections are more than a nod, though; those are the recollections of an on-set professional relationship that grew into true respect. That first line, "Oh my God, what is Andre doing here?" started as a response to being surprised by a table read. But after the eighth season, it was a testament of appreciation for an actor who stepped up to the challenge and improved the show in all aspects.

Braugher's spontaneous casting on Brooklyn Nine-Nine was surprising, but also one of the show's most iconic facets. This serves as a reminder that greatness does sometimes present itself in an unlabelled package and turn the whole thing around for the better. This reminds us that greatness does occasionally come in an unmarked package and flip the entire thing around for the better.

Also read: “It’s a gift that keeps giving”: Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s star Andy Samberg reflects on the show’s enduring appeal