Netflix just dropped a new White House murder mystery called The Residence, created by none other than the queen of drama herself, Shonda Rhimes. The show has quickly become the talk of the town with its clever plot, star-studded cast, and one recurring joke that has everyone buzzing — Hugh Jackman. But hold up, is the legendary Wolverine actor actually in the series? Let’s break it down.
Hugh Jackman: The Star Who Wasn’t There
Let’s dive into the storyline of The Residence. The entire plot revolves around a high-stakes State Dinner where some of Australia’s top political figures are in attendance. The U.S. is working hard to mend fences with the land Down Under, so naturally, the event brings together not just politicians but also some of the biggest A-listers from Australia. Kylie Minogue makes a splash, singing and shining on stage while requesting her favorite White House bedroom. But where’s Hugh Jackman, the man of the hour?
Here’s the twist: Hugh Jackman is everywhere but nowhere. Characters constantly reference him, mentioning his charm and even his tap-dancing skills. Yet, his face never makes an appearance in the eight episodes of the show. That’s because Hugh wasn’t actually part of the production. Instead, the show cleverly used body doubles, Ben Bigler and Justin Ellis Johnson, to keep the mystery alive.
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Why Was Hugh Jackman Missing from ‘The Residence’?
Now, you might be wondering why Hugh wasn’t on board. After all, who wouldn’t want to star in a Shonda Rhimes production? Well, the creator of The Residence, Paul William Davies, spilled the tea in an interview with TVLine on March 20, 2025. Paul revealed that they did try to bring Hugh into the mix, but the timing just didn’t align.
“We absolutely tried to cast him, and his response was incredibly sweet and apologetic,” Paul shared. “But there’s no need for apologies here. Hugh Jackman is one of the busiest actors in Hollywood. It just didn’t work out, and that’s life. We all get it.”
Paul decided to have fun with Hugh’s absence, turning it into a clever inside joke for the audience. “I thought, why not lean into it? It was a bit of a risk, but I had a blast with it, and the whole team embraced it,” Paul explained. “We turned the absence into a presence, if you will.”
Kylie Minogue’s Role in ‘The Residence’: From Guest to Star
While Hugh wasn’t available, Kylie Minogue was all in. Her role in The Residence started small but quickly expanded, thanks to her willingness to dive into the project. Paul shared how her character grew during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter on March 21, 2025.
“I was thrilled when Kylie agreed to join the show. I knew Australia would be a fantastic setting, and the tension between the two countries made for great storytelling. As soon as Kylie came on board, she was open to taking on more. I mean, Kylie is an icon, but she’s also an incredibly talented actress with great comedic timing. She brought so much energy to the set, and it was such a joy to write more scenes for her,” Paul gushed.
He went on to say, “Kylie’s character was originally supposed to be a last-minute addition to the dinner, someone who showed up unexpectedly and was asked to perform. But once she got involved, she brought so much more to the table. She wasn’t just Kylie the singer; she was Kylie the actress, and she was fantastic. It was truly a delight working with her!”
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