Uzo Aduba steps into the role of Cordelia Cupp, a culottes-sporting, no-nonsense detective who heads up the case.Netflix
If you’ve lost faith in most White House happenings, The Residence, Shonda Rhimes’s newest series under her overall Netflix deal, is an amusing balm. The murder mystery takes place in the famed presidential mansion, with a slew of suspects who have nothing to do with the current administration but are nevertheless compelling characters.
The White House is perfect setting for an escapist murder mystery at any rate, in the vein of Clue or Knives Out. The action kicks off during an Australian state dinner, where the chief usher, A.B. Wynter (Giancarlo Esposito), is found dead in the games room. From there, the show digs into all the possible suspects, from the president (Paul Fitzgerald) to the pastry chef (Bronson Pinchot), introducing an Upstairs, Downstairs or Downton Abbey vibe.
Viewers quickly discover the power struggles, traditions and secret rooms that comprise “the residence,” that section of the White House reserved for the first family. Those who live within the walls rotate, but the employees have worked there for years, and in some cases, generations. They believe it’s a distinguished career and an honour to serve.
Showrunner Shonda Rhimes has a knack for casting memorable charachters. From left: Dan Perrault as Colin Trask, Spencer Garrett as Wally Glick, Ken Marino as Harry Hollinger, Uzo Aduba as Cordelia Cupp, Andrew Friedman as Irv Samuelson, Susan Kelechi Watson as Jasmine Haney.Netflix
As the new-guard residents and employees try to make headway with the old-guard staff, there are plenty of feuds and drama to unpack. Each episode unlocks a new potential suspect, including the president’s freeloading brother Tripp Morgan (Jason Lee), the new chief usher Jasmine Haney (Susan Kelechi Watson) and politician Harry Hollinger (Ken Marino).
Every great murder mystery is anchored by an infallible gumshoe, and this series is no exception. Here, Uzo Aduba steps into the role of Cordelia Cupp, a culottes-sporting, no-nonsense detective who heads up the case.
Cupp is the glue that holds the investigation – and series – together, even as she pauses to complete Teddy Roosevelt’s bird-watching checklist. Despite several departments vying for jurisdiction it’s Cupp who takes the lead, with an assist from FBI agent Edwin Park (Randall Park) and her boss, Larry Doakes (Isiah Whitlock Jr.). Like all memorable detectives in these types of projects, Cupp is the smartest person in the room. However, it’s the tiny character details, like her distinct run or soul-searching stare, that truly set her apart.
At this point, Rhimes’s machine has a history of hiring memorable actors, so it’s no surprise that each of the characters on The Residence is perfectly cast, with just enough zaniness to add light clashes to the show’s dark undertones. Those juicy threads and personalities are just the beginning of this world-building, though, and the real show stopper is the house itself.
Production designer François Audouy recreated the living quarters at 1600 Penn across seven sound stages in Los Angeles, keeping the same measurements and structure as the real thing. It’s the largest recreation of the White House to-date, with immersive details and dollhouse shots that suck viewers in.
Then there’s the show’s structure and tone, which are peppy and forward-moving thanks to interconnected scenes and an extended timeline. The murder is actually a flashback that’s retold during a congressional hearing, where senators are trying to get to the bottom of what happened that night. Thus, there are two sets of interviews: Cupp’s and the hearing’s.
Brilliantly, the inconsistent flashbacks change depending on who is retelling the story, adding to the overall mystery. It’s hard to know who to believe, and as more information comes to light, the person you think is the killer shifts. Or maybe not, if you’re eagle-eyed like the sleuth at the centre of it all. But even if you figure it out early, the structure keeps you invested.
The setup also allows time to create sympathy for Wynter, who is present in many of those flashbacks. Esposito, an in-demand character actor – particularly after playing Gus Fring on Breaking Bad – does a lot with the role, which he took over from Andre Braugher after his death in December, 2023. (Braugher had started production but wasn’t able to finish all of his scenes before he died.) Each of Wynter’s interactions with the suspects is twofold: they establish a set of motives while peeling back another layer of the man who isn’t meant to survive.
Add in running gags (there’s an amusing bit involving Hugh Jackman), fun side plots and more bird knowledge than you thought possible for one person to possess, and creator Paul William Davies has created a compelling and fun miniseries that will take you away from real politics for a short while. It’s the type of series that could return with Cupp and a new set of characters in the future should the creatives choose – and it’s also the kind of neat and tidy comfort viewing the world could use a little more of right about now.
Stream all eight episodes of The Residence now on Netflix.
