Jason Lee's Return to Acting in "The Residence"

Jason Lee is back on the screen after a significant break. He found the Netflix series *The Residence* to be the ideal way to restart his career.

"It had been a long, long time since I had worked that much. I took a long break," said Lee, 54, who portrays Tripp Morgan in the murder mystery. "So it was just exciting to be back on a set. The trailers, the sound stages—all the actors and the cameras were thrilling to be part of."

Lee, known for his role on "My Name Is Earl," expressed gratitude for this timely opportunity. "The character was great, making it a cool thing to do after such a long break."

Before "The Residence," he participated in some vocal work and brief appearances with Kevin Smith. He explained, "But I took a pretty long break. So, "The Residence" arrived at the right moment, featuring the right character and the right people."

Once he decided to return, Lee wanted to play Tripp. "That was the most ‘on screen’ I’ve been in a long time," he mentioned. "I was nervous about joining such a large cast. Previously, on "My Name Is Earl," we had a smaller family-like cast for over 90 episodes."

Now, with "The Residence" being a major Netflix project, he felt intimidated. "Here I am after a long break as part of an enormous ensemble cast," Lee said. "Looking around, I realized I had to step up among many talented individuals."

Thankfully, he experienced a warm and friendly atmosphere during filming. "Everyone on set was so kind and welcoming," he remarked. "It felt like a wonderful return to this level of production."

Jason Lee captured audiences' attention through "My Name Is Earl" from 2005 to 2009, earning Golden Globe nominations. He appeared in films such as "Mallrats," "Chasing Amy," and "Clerks II."

"That’s the fun part about acting; there are so many roles available," he candidly shared. "Guest spots and indie films are enjoyable too. I’m also writing and developing projects for myself—not just cameos." He elaborated, "I slowly entered the acting pool again, starting with "The Residence," and finally jumping into the deep end. It’s been a lot of fun engaging that part of my creative process."

Inspired by "The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House" by Kate Andersen Brower, this eight-part drama debuted earlier this month, captivating viewers. Detective Cordelia Cupp, portrayed by Uzo Aduba, investigates the murder of Chief Usher A.B. Wynter, played by Giancarlo Esposito.

Lee’s character, Tripp, becomes a suspect due to his relationship with the President. Although he isn't directly responsible for the murder, his involvement adds complexity to the plot. He shared, "I wanted to remain in the dark about Tripp's guilt; it fits his aloof nature. I’m glad I didn’t discover that until later."

Lee would have relished the challenge of playing the murderer, but shares, "Tripp’s just too dumb to be the killer. He fits the role of a deadbeat character." He noted a humorous scene where Tripp discusses his alibi with Detective Cupp, emphasizing how "too dumb" he is for such wrongdoing.

Lee explained his goal was to portray Tripp as a breath of fresh air, albeit rude and pushy. He expressed, "He believes he entertains others yet often makes them want to move away. That adds depth to the character."

"The Residence" is now available for streaming on Netflix.

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