This is what you CAN do:
write a file in drawable folder, lets name it background.xml
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<shape xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android" >
<solid android:color="?attr/colorPrimary"/>
</shape>
then set your Layout's (or what so ever the case is) android:background="@drawable/background"
on setting your theme this color would represent the same.