Terry Crews opens up on reunion with Brooklyn Nine Nine co-actors; misses Andre Brauer, 'He was like my big brother' (Exclusive)

Terry Crews, who was recently in India, spoke about his popular show Brooklyn Nine-Nine. The actor looks back at the comedy’s improbable journey — from a shock cancellation to a fan-led revival, and finally, a goodbye shaped by the uncertainty of a pandemic. Looking back at the unexpected trajectory of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, the actor says, “It was really strange because when we got canceled, it was a shock, and we didn't see it coming. We were so sad. And then the Internet just called for it back. They went crazy. Our cancellation went viral, and the network heard it and they brought us back, which is very rare. There is less than 20 shows out of the thousands and thousands of show that have made in television history that have ever been canceled and brought back. And we're one of them.”


The final season, shot amid global uncertainty, brought its own emotional weight. “Then in the end, you know, we were basically shooting in the pandemic, which was very hard. And we didn't know what kind of world it was. We had a smaller season for our last season. But we were so proud to be able to end it the way we wanted to end it. Everything has to end on a good light. I don't think it could have went forever. It makes you appreciate the show even more because it had a beginning and ending," he shares.


The memories of the show are inseparable from the loss of co-star Andre Braugher, who played Captain Raymond Holt. Braugher passed away on December 11, 2023, at the age of 61, following a brief illness later confirmed as lung cancer. Reflecting on the loss, the actor says, “We didn't know that Andre Brauer was dealing with some illness and he was very quiet. He never told anyone. And we were all sad when he passed away, and now we. I look back on the show as if it's a memorial to how great he is.” He adds, “He was the most wonderful person to all of us. He was like my big brother. Most of my scenes were with him right there in the precinct. And he taught me how to be a. Become a better actor. He taught me so much. He taught everyone. Everyone was like his student.”


Remembering Braugher’s generosity as an artist, he says, “But yet he could have, you know, he really could have acted circles around all of us, but he chose to bring us up and pull us up with him. And I'll always love him forever. He will always be my inspiration in regards to my acting career.”


Despite the cast moving on to different projects, the bond remains intact. Ask him if they keep having reunion and he says, "Yes, we do. Andy is out there doing movies and Stephanie is rolling around doing her thing. It's just so wonderful to watch everybody kind of grow and move on and change and do the thing and but we always get together. I had some people come over the house for 4th of July. And it's really not about posting it. It's really about enjoying each other.”