In a recent appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, three-time Emmy award winner and Tony nominee, Uzo Aduba, shared some insights into her personal life and her latest project, the Shonda Rhimes series “The Residence.” Aduba, known for her roles in “Orange is the New Black” and “Mrs. America,” now plays an eagle-eyed detective in this thrilling new show.
During her interview with Colbert, Aduba revealed that she is a proud parent to a talkative toddler. As a talker herself, Aduba mentioned how her daughter has inherited her love for words and is already walking at just 16 months old. Aduba also shared that her daughter’s favorite words are “thank you,” as she knows she will receive something in return. Aduba humorously described her daughter sealing the deal with the word “cookie,” demonstrating her assertiveness.
The conversation then shifted to Aduba’s transformation into parenthood and how she has noticed herself mimicking her own mother’s discipline techniques. Aduba recalled her mother’s famous slow finger wag when there was something they weren’t supposed to touch. She shared a funny anecdote about catching herself doing the exact same gesture to her daughter when she was heading towards a plug socket. Aduba playfully remarked how wild it was to realize she had become her own parent.
Apart from discussing her personal life, Aduba also talked about her recently released memoir, inspired by her own mother’s journaling habits. She mentioned that her siblings’ lives are intertwined in the memoir as well and how her sister was the first to read it during a vacation in Cabo. Aduba comically recalled the anxiety she felt as her sister read her book right next to her on the beach.
As for her new series, “The Residence,” Aduba described it as a classic whodunit set in the White House. When Colbert asked if she enjoys mysteries in general, Aduba revealed her love for the movie “Clue” and the TV show “Murder, She Wrote.” She shared a theory that watching “Murder, She Wrote” made her question if the show’s protagonist, Jessica Fletcher, was actually the cause of all the murders, given the number of episodes centered around her books.
Aduba also disclosed some intriguing information about the White House that she discovered while filming “The Residence.” She mentioned the multiple levels underground and her curiosity to explore them. Aduba even expressed her desire to visit the bunker but was promptly informed that it was off-limits.
When discussing her character’s detective style in “The Residence,” Aduba explained that her character is an avid birder, using birdwatching techniques to investigate crimes. By looking at crime scenes from a bird’s-eye view, she pieces together crucial clues. Aduba admitted that while she had tried birdwatching herself, it wasn’t a passion of hers, but her character’s unique approach to detective work fascinated her.
“The Residence” is set to premiere on Netflix on March 20th, and Uzo Aduba‘s portrayal of this bird-watching detective is sure to captivate audiences. With her impressive acting skills and engaging personality, Aduba continues to leave her mark on the world of entertainment.
